The Mahaica Post Office, located on the East Coast of Demerara, was opened in 1850 as a receiving office at Mr. J. Smekie’s place. By November 1, 1878, it was relocated from the Railway Station to the Telegraph Station, and on September 1, 1882, it was upgraded to a money order office.
From 1864 to 1899, Mahaica served as the terminus of the East Coast Railway. Initially, it used the Panda Type C1.10 E5C coded postmark, with recorded usage from January 7, 1855, to February 4, 1860, followed by the Panda Type C2.10 E5C coded postmark through 1877. After its relocation in 1878, the Panda Type E1.2 Mahaica postmark was used.
The following are the Date Stamps used at Mahaica with EKD prior to 22 January 1901, the day marking the end of the reign of Queen Victoria. In addition to listing the Panda Type #, for reference, we also list the T&H Type from The Postage Stamps and Postal History of British Guiana by Townsend & Howe, the Type and referenced page from The Postal History of British Guiana by Edward B. Proud, and the referenced pages from British Guiana Coded Postmarks – Study paper No 3 by Michael Rego, for code-marks.
→ Panda Type # E 1 . 2 – Mahaica
T&H Type 1a p. 298; Proud Mahaica D3 p. 210
EKD: 2 Jan 1878 / LKD: 29 Aug 1884
This Mahaica Circular Date Stamp (C.D.S) is a Panda Type E1 postmark. The Panda Type E1 is Single Ring (S.R.), 21-22mm, 2 line date (2 L.D.) with year abbreviated (Y.A.). Colony not shown. It is similar to the Demerara postmark Panda Type 3 without the code.
The Panda Type E1.2 is listed as Type 1a and noted as “Rather Common” in The Postage Stamps and Postal History of British Guiana by Townsend & Howe.
This postmark is rated (C)ommon in the Panda British Guiana Postmark Catalog with a catalog value of £10 for a complete clear strike.
→ Panda Type # E 1 4. 1 – Mahaica
T&H Type 4 p. 300; Proud Mahaica D4 p. 210
EKD: 27 Sep 1884 / LKD: 29 Sep 1898
This Mahaica Circular Date Stamp (C.D.S) is a Panda Type E14 postmark. The Panda Type E14 is Double Ring D.R. 23 / 15 mm. 2 L.D. with Y.A. British Guiana at foot.
The Panda Type E14.1 is listed as Type 4 and noted as “Rather Common” in The Postage Stamps and Postal History of British Guiana by Townsend & Howe.
→ Panda Type # E 28 . 4 – Mahaica 3mm font
T&H Type 12a p. 304; Proud Mahaica D5 p. 210
EKD: 3 Oct 1898 / LKD: 3 Jun 1902
This Mahaica Circular Date Stamp (C.D.S) is a Panda Type E28 postmark. The Panda Type E28 is Single Ring S.R. 27-28 mm. 3 L.D. with Y.I.F. and Y.A. B. Guiana at foot.
The Panda Type E28.4 is listed as Type 12a and noted as “Common” in The Postage Stamps and Postal History of British Guiana by Townsend & Howe.
Photos
The Panda British Guiana Postmark Catalog 