The Sparta Post Office, located in the Essequibo Coast Postal District, was opened by 1860 at the Windsor Castle Police Station, although some sources suggest it was operating as early as 1855. The office was transferred to Windsor Castle on February 1, 1877, and then relocated to Sparta by September 1897. It was expanded in 1887 and became a money order office on February 1, 1888.
Due to its unhealthy site in swamp lands, the post office was moved to Danielstown on February 19, 1903.
The following are the Date Stamps used at Sparta 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 . 20– Sparta
T&H Unlisted; Proud Sparta D3 p. 251
New EKD: 4 Apr 1880 / New LKD: 24 May 1883
This Sparta 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 E2.20 is unlisted in The Postage Stamps and Postal History of British Guiana by Townsend & Howe.
Known strikes:
- New EKD, Apr 4, 1880 – Full Strike. For sale by Michael Hamilton £625 (see image below)
- Dated May 19, 1880 – Smudgy and only showing SP from office name (recently sold for £65)
- Dated Apr 4, 1882 – Full Strike in the Long Mynd Collection
- Dated May 24, 188(3) – The strike shown below dated May 24 from The Panda Collection (ex. Freeland, Nathan) is on a watermark Crown CA stamp which was issued beginning on 28 Dec 1881. Hence the strike, which appears to be 1880, is assumed to be 1883 according to Nathan’s notes on his Display Pages. This makes it the LKD (see image below)
This postmark is rated (E)xclusive in the Panda British Guiana Postmark Catalog with a catalog value of £650 for a complete clear strike.
→ Panda Type # E 7 . 30– Sparta
T&H Type 5a p. 301; Proud Sparta D4 p. 251
EKD: 15 Jan 1883 / LKD: 21 Nov 1900
The Sparta 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 E7.30 is cataloged as Type 5a and is listed as “Rather Common” in The Postage Stamps and Postal History of British Guiana by Townsend & Howe.
→ Panda Type # E 27 . 6– Sparta
T&H Type 12a p. 304; Proud Sparta D5 p. 251
EKD: 12 Dec 1900 / LKD: 10 Jan 1905
The Sparta Circular Date Stamp (C.D.S) is a Panda Type E27.6 postmark. The Panda Type E27.6 is Single Ring (S.R.) 27-28 mm. 3 L.D. with Y.I.F. and Y.A. B. Guiana. (a period after Guiana) at foot
The Panda Type E27.6 is cataloged as Type 12a and is listed as “Rather Common” in The Postage Stamps and Postal History of British Guiana by Townsend & Howe.
The Panda British Guiana Postmark Catalog 