Page 185 - Sierra Leone to 1961 - The Collection
P. 185
George V Rice Fields Issue of 1932
Background to Design
At the beginning of the 1930s, several colonies were considering replacing the generic keyplate issues with
designs that reflected local interest.
On 18 May 1931 the Crown Agents wrote to three security printers, De La Rue, Bradbury Wilkinson and
Waterlow, inviting them to tender for new Sierra Leone definitive stamps. The terms of reference included:
“The design is to comprise a vignette of H.M. King George V placed centrally at the top of the stamps. It is
desired to include an Oil Palm, a Kola Nut tree and Rice Plants. The general design is to be similar to the 2c
and 4c British Guiana Centenary stamps.”
Waterlow won the contract for the production of the low value stamps. They used the three-quarter head
as in the British Guiana designs. Two other colonies, Antigua and Grenada, also used this head. Bradbury
Wilkinson were chosen to print the high value stamps. De La Rue submitted two essays that were not accepted.
British Guiana Chosen low Chosen high value design
Centenary Issue value design
Both printed by Waterlow Printed by Bradbury Wilkinson
Nine values were issued in the low value series and four in the high value style. All stamps were put on sale
on 1 March 1932.
