The Cotton Tree Post Office, located on the West Coast of the Berbice River, was likely opened at Kingelly Plantation in 1859. By 1860, it had moved to Police Station No. 6. The post office served the West Coast Berbice Postal District until its closure, possibly due to the abolition of the police station, with a potential closing date of May 31, 1899.
There is some uncertainty regarding the transfer of operations to Rosignol following its closure. Postmarks dated after May 1899 were likely applied at Rosignol Post Office, though definitive details of the transfer are not entirely clear. The Panda Catalog assumes the transfer to Rosignol in 1899.
The following are the Date Stamps used at Cotton Tree 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 2 . 1 0 – Cotton Tree
T&H Type 2 p. 299; Proud Cotton Tree D2 p. 159
EKD: 16 Dec 1880 / LKD: 16 Sep 1884
This Cotton Tree Circular Date Stamp (C.D.S.) is a Panda Type E2 postmark. The Panda Type E2 is Single Ring (S.R.), 26.5 mm. American Type. 3 line date (3 L.D.) B.G. at foot. Known with year missing.
The Panda Type E2.10 is cataloged as a Type 2 and listed as “Very Rare” in The Postage Stamps and Postal History of British Guiana by Townsend & Howe.
→ Panda Type # E 7 . 1 1-1 – Cotton Tree
T&H Type 5a p. 301; Proud Cotton Tree D4 p. 159
EKD: ? Aug 1889 / LKD: 24 May 1899
This Cotton Tree Circular Date Stamp (C.D.S.) is a Panda Type E7 postmark. The Panda Type E7 is Double Ring (D.R.) 23 – 24.5 / 13 – 14.5 mm. 2 L.D. with Y.A. B. Guiana at foot.
The Panda Type E7.11 -1 is cataloged as a Type 5a and listed as “Rare” in The Postage Stamps and Postal History of British Guiana by Townsend & Howe.
→ Panda Type # E 12 . 3 – Cotton Tree
T&H Type 8 p. 302; Proud Cotton Tree D3 p. 159
EKD: 23 Oct 1884 / LKD: 10 Mar 1887
This Cotton Tree Circular Date Stamp (C.D.S.) is a Panda Type E12 postmark. The Panda Type E12 is Single Ring (S.R.) 22 – 23.5 mm with Protective Corners. 2 L.D. with Y.I.F. British Guiana at foot.
The Panda Type E12.3 is cataloged as a Type 8 and listed as “Very Scarce” in The Postage Stamps and Postal History of British Guiana by Townsend & Howe.
The Panda British Guiana Postmark Catalog 