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This new issue from the Tristan da Cunha Post Office is the first of a two-part series depicting the various breeds of dogs found on the island.
Dogs have been part of life on Tristan da Cunha since the very first permanent settlement, the British garrison of 1816. According to the writings of naturalist Dugald Carmichael, the early settlers used dogs to hunt the wild goats and pigs left by earlier visitors, as well as feral cats, birds, and other wildlife. They may also have helped herd livestock, though this was not explicitly recorded. These details are supported by Augustus Earle’s account of his enforced stay on Tristan in 1824; Earle himself brought a hunting dog with him when he was marooned there, although no specific breeds were mentioned in his writings.
The Reverend and Mrs. Barrow, stationed on Tristan from 1906 to 1909, brought with them a Collie named Rob (originally Whisky). In her book, Katherine Barrow recounts that Rob promptly clashed with Mrs. Frances Repetto’s white Fox Terrier. Barrow also notes that South African entrepreneur Casper Keytel, temporarily on the island, owned a well-bred Pointer called Scotty. She described the island’s dogs as “quarrelsome among themselves,” often worrying sheep, poultry, and wild birds.
A decade later, Rose Rogers, wife of another clergyman and resident in the early 1920s, referred to “a host of mongrel dogs,” and described the men taking them hunting across the island’s rugged terrain.
Many early family portraits from Tristan include dogs, reflecting their importance in island life. However, tragedy struck in 1961 when the volcano erupted and the entire community was evacuated. The dogs could not be taken to the UK due to quarantine and transport restrictions. Two puppies were rescued by HMS Leopard and affectionately named Tristan (a brindle bitch) and Cunha (a black dog).
Fearing that the remaining dogs might turn feral and threaten livestock, those left on the island had to be humanely destroyed before the evacuation. A few, however, escaped this fate. When the Royal Society Survey took place in early 1962, it was discovered that the island’s sheep population had been almost wiped out, most likely by the surviving dogs that had gone wild during the months of abandonment. The last of these feral dogs were finally cleared by the Resettlement Survey Party in December 1962.
When the islanders resettled, they gradually reintroduced dogs, mostly Collies and Collie-crosses, which continue to serve as loyal working companions on Tristan today. These hardy working dogs help herd sheep and catch calves, especially at Stoney Beach and The Caves, and take part in the traditional Ratting Day each year. In recent years, however, a growing number of small “pet dogs”, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Dachshunds, have been imported from Cape Town, adding variety to the island’s canine community.
There are currently around 100 dogs on the island, almost all of them male, as there is no breeding on Tristan and only limited capacity for neutering. Dog ownership is carefully regulated: owners must obtain a licence, secure prior approval before importing a dog, and present a veterinary health certificate on arrival. With the increasing number of companion dogs being brought from Cape Town, adherence to the island’s strict importation and biosecurity rules is essential.
Veterinary services for dogs are managed by the Agriculture Department’s Veterinary and Livestock Section. Although there is no qualified veterinarian resident on the island, an island-trained “vet” with basic animal-care training is responsible for treating wounds, administering pain relief, and carrying out routine worming and flea treatments. Visiting veterinarians arrive periodically to conduct general health checks, vaccinations, and other essential procedures for both working and companion dogs.
Today, most dogs roam freely during the day, though they are expected to be kept indoors at night. While occasional incidents of sheep worrying still occur, the dogs remain an enduring part of island life: loyal helpers, companions, and a living link to Tristan’s earliest days.
This first set includes the following breeds, beautifully illustrated against Tristan backgrounds based on photographs by Julia Gunther:
65pJack Russell £1.00Rough Coat Collie £1.10Yorkshire Terrier £2.50Border Collie FDCMorkie (This is a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier).
Technical details: DesignAndrew Robinson PhotographyBackgrounds based on photographs by Julia Gunther PrinterCartor ProcessStochastic lithography Perforation13¼ x 13 per 2cms Stamp size38 x 30.6mm Sheet layout10 Release date 24 November, 2025 Production Co-ordinationCreative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd
The Gough Island Scientific Survey was the vision of John Heaney, a Cambridge engineering student who led a 1955–56 expedition to map one of the world’s most remote islands. Despite rough seas and early setbacks, the team charted Gough Island, discovered new species, and laid the groundwork for its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On Tristan da Cunha, the world’s most remote inhabited island, you are never far from a striking view. Volcanic slopes rise steeply above the Settlement, the South Atlantic stretches to the horizon, and the Potato Patches, the islanders’ lifeline of cultivated ground, spread across the plain and its green foothills. These landscapes are more than scenery: they are a record of endurance, of how the community has adapted to their environment and drawn sustenance from it for more than two centuries.
The new “Landscapes” stamp issue captures this relationship between land, sea and people. The set comprises four stamps: three highlighting iconic views from the Potato Patches, and one panoramic aerial of the Settlement framed by cliffs and Queen Mary’s Peak. Together, they celebrate not just the island’s beauty but the way islanders live within it.
65p – View from Redbody Hill This stamp captures the sweeping view from Redbody Hill towards the ocean, looking across the fields towards the Coolers on the left and Bill’s Hill on the right. Scattered among the plots are small seed huts used by islanders during planting and harvesting, and a camping hut where island families spend weekends and holidays. The scene reflects the working rhythm of the Potato Patches, a landscape shaped by hand and where every patch has a long family history.
£1 – Evening Light over the Wash This view looks inland towards a section of mountain slopes known as The Wash and Dick’s Hill, with Johnny Patch in the middle distance. In the foreground stands a camping hut, surrounded by grazing cattle. The warm evening light softens the cliffs’ rugged contours; a reminder of how small human presence remains amid Tristan’s monumental landscape.
£2 – Old Pieces and Hillpiece Depicted here is the area known as Old Pieces, with the prominent Hillpiece rising behind. Seed huts and several camping huts dot the green expanse, where generations of islanders have planted and tended potatoes, the community’s staple crop. The hand-placed stonework, neat field lines, and enduring structures remind us of the islanders’ stewardship of this land and their deep connection to it.
£2.50 – Settlement and the 1961 Volcano This aerial view shows Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, Tristan’s only village, nestled between the South Atlantic and the sheer volcanic cliffs. To the left lies the cone formed by the 1961 eruption; to the right, the Hillpiece and the lower slopes of Queen Mary’s Peak, partly veiled in cloud. Together, they frame a community that has endured disaster and isolation, yet continues to thrive in one of the world’s most extraordinary settings.
First Day Cover – Road to the Potato Patches The First Day Cover image looks along the road to the Potato Patches at Robert’s Stone, with the Hillpiece and mountain rising in the distance. It is a familiar view for every islander, a route that links home, work, and holidays, embodying the close relationship the community has with its stunning surroundings.
Technical details: Design Bee Design Photography Julia Gunther (65p, £1, £2 & FDC), Nick Schönfeld (£2.50) Printer Cartor Process Stochastic lithography Perforation 14 ½ x 14 ¼ per 2cms Stamp size 50 x 28mm Sheet layout 10 Release date 20 October, 2025 Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd
The Tristan da Cunha Post Office is proud to announce the release of a new set of four commemorative stamps honoring the artistic work of the island’s most celebrated local artist, Jimmy Rogers.
The Tristan da Cunha Post Office is proud to announce the release of a new set of commemorative stamps chronicling the remarkable evolution of communication on the world’s most remote inhabited island. These four stamps capture a century of progress - from handwritten letters delivered by passing ships to today's high-speed satellite internet.
This stamp issue is more than a visual timeline - it is a tribute to Tristan da Cunha’s enduring spirit, adaptability, and determination to stay connected despite extreme remoteness. Each stamp captures a step forward in the island’s efforts to bridge the distance and keep its voice heard in the world.
55p - Mail Ships - 1920s In the early 20th century, Tristan's only link to the outside world came through mail carried by passing ships - often infrequent, weather-dependent, and unpredictable. These visits might occur just once a year, and were the sole means for exchanging letters and vital goods.
There was no formal postal system at the time, and messages were often delayed by months or even years. News from abroad arrived long after events had occurred, and day-to-day life remained largely cut off from the rest of the world. Yet for Tristan's close-knit community, these mail ships were a lifeline.
The 55p stamp captures this early era of long-distance connection, with a stylised depiction of a mail ship approaching Tristan's rugged coastline - the beginning of formal communications with the wider world.
95p - Radio Communication - 1950s Although radio equipment was first installed on the Tristan in the 1930s, it proved underpowered and unreliable, and the radios of the naval station set up on Tristan during World War II were temporary and for military use only.
A major breakthrough came in the 1950s with the permanent introduction of radio communications. The island's first radio station was established in 1950, enabling Tristan to maintain scheduled contact with South Africa and the United Kingdom, and to communicate with passing ships. Radio brought timely news broadcasts and an essential means of coordination during emergencies. This technology proved especially critical during the 1961 volcanic eruption, when the islanders were evacuated to the UK.
While still dependent on scheduled operating hours and trained personnel, radio was a game-changer for safety and connection. The 95p stamp honours this era with imagery of vintage equipment, symbolising a new voice for Tristan on the global stage.
£1.15 - Telecommunications - 1990s The arrival of telephone and satellite services in the 1990s ushered in a new chapter of communication. For the first time, islanders could speak in real time with loved ones overseas. Tristan's new satellite infrastructure, including landlines and satellite dishes, made it possible to connect the island to international networks. The impact was profound: families stayed in touch more easily, emergency services improved, and a modern sense of global belonging began to emerge.
However, this new connectivity came with challenges. Equipment was expensive to install and maintain, and vulnerable to Tristan's severe weather, which often disrupted service.
The £1.15 stamp depicts a traditional desk telephone alongside a satellite dish - symbols of Tristan's leap into modern telecommunications.
£2.00 - High-Speed Internet - 2020s The most transformative step yet came in the 2020s with the arrival of high-speed internet. Though early internet access via satellite existed, it was slow, costly, and unreliable. That changed dramatically with the introduction of Starlink, SpaceX's Low-Earth orbit satellite internet service.
Starlink brought unprecedented broadband access to even the most remote corners of the island. Islanders could now participate in video calls, access global news in real time, and use cloud services, e-commerce, and streaming media just like anyone else in the world.
The £2.00 stamp features sleek satellite terminals and a stylised digital grid, illustrating the island's emergence into the digital age.
Impact of Starlink on the Tristan da Cunha Community
High-speed internet has transformed daily life on Tristan da Cunha. Telemedicine services are now accessible, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment. Online education has broadened learning opportunities, especially for young people. Businesses can reach global markets, and tourism promotion has become more viable.
More importantly, this new connectivity allows Tristan residents to preserve their culture while participating in a global conversation. Social media and messaging platforms have bridged personal and cultural distances that once seemed insurmountable.
Technical Details Design Andrew Robinson Printer Cartor Process Stochastic lithography Perforation13 ¼ x 13 ½ per 2cms Stamp Size42 x 28mm Sheet Layout10 Release Date29 August, 2025 Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd
Tristan da Cunha Maxi cards: A Stunning Tribute to Island Birdlife
If you're a philatelist with a love for birds or a birdwatcher with a growing stamp collection the newly issued Maxi cards from Tristan da Cunha are a treasure worth discovering. This spectacular set highlights the birdlife of one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands.
Each Maxi card features:
·A postcard showing the bird or its habitat,
·A matching postage stamp depicting the same species
·A Tristan da Cunha Post Office cancellation cachet
These cards meet the standards of maximum philately, offering perfect harmony between image, stamp, and postmark all while celebrating Tristan’s unique and often endangered birdlife.
Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island are home to several bird species that are found nowhere else, and are the main breeding sites for many other species. This stamp series celebrates a selection of Tristan’s amazing birdlife.
1p Atlantic Petrel The Atlantic Petrel, Pterodroma incerta, is a large gadfly petrel that only breeds at the Tristan islands. As one of only three winter-breeding petrels on Tristan, large numbers were harvested for food in the 18th and early 19th centuries. As a result, most of the population of close to two million birds breeds on Gough Island, where they are threatened by predation by introduced House Mice. As a result, the species is listed as Endangered. At sea, Atlantic Petrels disperse widely throughout the temperate and sub-Antarctic waters of the South Atlantic, with most heading west towards South America rather than east towards Africa. They lay a single egg in a deep burrow in the ground, and only return to the islands at night to reduce the risk of predation by Brown Skuas.
5p Gough Finch The Gough Finch, Rowettia goughensis, was once known as the Gough Bunting, but it is the largest member of the tanager-finch family from South America. As its name suggests, it is only found on Gough Island, where it is the only songbird. In the absence of a thrush, the Gough Finch has evolved a longer bill than the finches of the Tristan archipelago, and has a more catholic diet. The juveniles appear very different from the adult illustrated in the stamp, and were initially described as a second species. Pairs are quite territorial, and typically lay two eggs in a cup nest during spring. Once common throughout the island, they are now largely confined to coastal cliffs and the highlands, seemingly due to depredation by introduced House Mice. With a total population of only one to two thousand birds, the species is listed as Critically Endangered.
10p Gough Moorhen The Gough Moorhen, Gallinula comeri, is a flightless species, closely related to the Common Moorhen. A similar flightless form on the main island of Tristan, G. nesiotis, went extinct in the late 19th century. Genetic evidence suggests that both evolved from vagrants from Africa rather than Asia, which makes them the only land birds to have colonised from the east. It was common on Gough in areas below 450 m, where the vegetation provides sufficient cover to protect them from Brown Skuas. However, most of the population was killed during the attempt to eradicate introduced House Mice from Gough Island in 2021. Fortunately, a handful of Gough Moorhens were introduced to Tristan in 1956, and the species is now found throughout the island in areas of fernbush vegetation. It is listed as Vulnerable to extinction.
45p Great Shearwater The Great Shearwater, Ardenna gravis, is a large shearwater that is virtually confined as a breeding species to the Tristan islands; only a few tens of pairs breed in the Falklands. It is one of the most abundant breeding seabirds at Tristan, with several million pairs breeding at Inaccessible and Nightingale, and close to one million pairs at Gough. It presumably used to also breed at the main island of Tristan, but no longer does so. It is a trans-Equatorial migrant that arrives at the islands in September, lays eggs in November, and departs back to the North Atlantic in April. During the breeding season, adults forage throughout the South Atlantic, from Argentina to southern Africa. It is the only species on the stamp issue not listed as threatened or near-threatened globally.
55p Northern Rockhopper Penguin The Northern Rockhopper Penguin, Eudyptes moseleyi, is the largest of the three species of rockhopper penguins, and is characterised by its luxuriant head tassels, extensive dark margins to the under flipper, and deeper call. As its name suggests, it breeds at more northerly locations than the other two rockhoppers, with over 95% of the population at the Tristan islands, and the remainder breeding on Amsterdam and St Paul islands in the central Indian Ocean. Its restricted range makes it one of the hardest penguins for people to see in the wild. It lays two eggs, but like all crested penguins, only raises at most one chick. The smaller, first-laid egg provides insurance in case the second-laid egg fails to hatch. Like all penguins, it is vulnerable to oil pollution, and many birds were killed after a bulk carrier ran aground on Nightingale Island in March 2011. Due to recent population decreases, it is listed as Endangered.
65p MacGillivray's Prion The MacGillivray's Prion, Pachyptila macgillivrayi, is an enigmatic seabird known only from Gough Island and a tiny remnant population at St Paul Island in the central Indian Ocean. Its occurrence on Gough was overlooked for many years, because it closely resembles the Broad-billed Prion, that is abundant around the main landing sites on Gough. It was only in 2011, when researchers collected skulls of prions from across the island, that it was discovered that two species of prion breed in different areas of the island. MacGillivray’s Prion breed two months later than Broad-billed Prions, which helps to prevent hybridisation between the two species. Prior to the attempt to eradicate introduced House Mice from Gough Island in 2021, few if any chicks were raised by the prions. Immediately after the eradication, prion breeding success improved dramatically, but very sadly, a few mice survived, and their numbers soon recovered. The species is listed as Critically Endangered, although this would change should a second attempt to remove mice from Gough succeed.
95p Inaccessible Island Rail The Inaccessible Island Rail, Laterallus rogersi, is the smallest flightless bird in the world. There were smaller flightless songbirds in New Zealand, but they all went extinct following the introduction of predators such as rats, mice, cats and stoats. As its name suggests, the Inaccessible Island Rail is only found on Inaccessible Island, where it is common throughout most of the island. However, it is more often heard than seen, as it remains in dense cover to avoid the unwanted attentions of Brown Skuas and Starchies. Pairs defend territories and lay two eggs in a well concealed nest in spring. The population is estimated at some 5,000 pairs, and there is no evidence that this has decreased in recent years, but the species is listed as Vulnerable to extinction because of the ongoing risk of an accidental introduction of rodents onto Inaccessible Island.
£1 Starchy (Tristan Thrush) The Tristan Thrush or Starchy, Turdus eremita, is one of the more charismatic birds at Tristan. It is the only landbird that has survived on the main island of Tristan; both the native moorhen and finch went extinct after the island was colonised in the 19th century. Starchies occur on all islands in the northern archipelago, with different subspecies recognised from each of the three main islands in the group. However, they are much less common on Tristan than they are on the uninhabited islands, and a visitor to Tristan would be lucky to see one. They mainly occur on the lower slopes of the peak above 900 m, although some persist on the steep coastal cliffs and in the gulleys that cross the island ‘base’. The species is listed as near threatened globally.
£1.50 Spectacled Petrel (Ringeye) The Spectacled Petrel or Ringeye, Procellaria conspicillata, is a large petrel that only breeds on the plateau of Inaccessible Island in the Tristan archipelago. It differs from the closely related White-chinned Petrel that breeds around the sub-Antarctic, by its distinctive white ‘spectacle’, blackish bill tip and lower-pitched calls. It breeds in summer in deep burrows, often with a muddy entrance moat. Non-breeding birds disperse throughout the temperate South Atlantic, with more heading west toward South America than east towards Africa. The species was on the brink of extinction in the early 20th century, but fortunately the introduced pigs on the island died out before they ate the last Spectacled Petrels. Since the 1930s, the petrel population has been increasing at around 7% per year, and there are currently more than 30,000 pairs. Despite this, the species remains listed as Vulnerable globally due to its restricted breeding range.
£2.50 Tristan Albatross The Tristan Albatross, Diomedea dabbenena, is one of five distinct forms of the Wandering Albatross, renowned as the bird with the longest wingspan. Like other northern-breeding populations, the Tristan Albatross is slightly smaller and its plumage whitens more slowly than the ‘snowy’ Wandering Albatross. Tristan Albatrosses used to breed on the main island of Tristan, but were hunted to extinction there; currently almost all breed on Gough Island, with only a few pairs on Inaccessible Island. They lay a single egg in January, which hatches in March and the chicks fledge in November. The breeding season is so long that only a few pairs attempt to breed in the year following a successful breeding attempt. Because they breed through winter, when introduced House Mice are most desperate for food, many chicks are attacked and killed by mice. Fully grown birds are also at risk from being caught accidentally on fishing gear, and the species is listed as Critically Endangered.
£3 Wilkins' Finch The Wilkins's Finch, Nesospiza wilkinsi, is confined to tiny Nightingale Island and is one of the naturally rarest birds in the world. It feeds on the fruit of the Island Tree Phylica arborea, and pairs defend breeding territories that contain at least some trees. A comprehensive survey estimated there were some 120 breeding pairs in 2017, but extensive storm damage to the woodlands north of the Ponds in 2019 reduced the number of pairs by roughly one third. As a result, the species was uplisted to Critically Endangered, but such events have occurred in the past, and the population probably fluctuates depending on the abundance and distribution of Island Trees. To help ensure the future of Wilkins’s Finch, Tristan’s conservation department is restoring Island Trees on the eastern lowlands of the island, where it was harvested historically for firewood.
£5 Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross The Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos, only breeds at Tristan and Gough. At sea, it is largely confined to the South Atlantic Ocean and adjacent Indian Ocean, but a few individuals wander north of the Equator into the North Atlantic. It is one of the smallest albatrosses, and its agility in the air and on land allows it to breed among dense vegetation. Pairs build a cone-shaped nest from mud among fernbush and tussock grass up to 800 m elevation on Tristan, but only up to 450 m on Gough Island. The single egg is laid in September, chicks hatch in November-December and fledge in April. The relatively short breeding season allows pairs to breed each year. The population at Tristan was impacted by harvesting for food, but it has been protected since 1976. The main threat currently is from accidental capture on fishing gear at sea. Although this threat is now less severe, thanks to various measures introduced to reduce the risk of catching seabirds, the species remains listed as Endangered.
First Day Cover - Nightingale Island Finch The Nightingale Island Finch, Nezospiza questi is a small billed bird that forages for seeds, berries and invertebrates. The species is listed as Vulnerable globally due to its small range and the risk accidental introduction of rodent predators.
We acknowledge with thanks the help and assistance of Peter Ryan, University of Cape Town
Technical details Design Andrew Robinson Printer Cartor Process Stochastic lithography Perforation 13 ½ x 13 ¼ per 2cms Stamp Size 42 x 28mm Sheet Layout 10 Release Date 26th May 2025 Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd
The unescorted 23,000 mile around the world voyage of The Dutch submarine Hr.Ms. K XVIII created considerable interest worldwide.
The vessel’s visit to the island of Tristan da Cunha in March 1935 was especially interesting as it gave the world a rare glimpse of one of the world’s most isolated inhabited islands.
This special stamp issue released by the Tristan da Cunha Post Office commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965). One of the 20th century's most significant figures, Churchill remains popular in the UK and the rest of the English-speaking world.
Tristan da Cunha’s Farm Animals - A Unique and Vital Part of Island Life Issue date: 28th October 2024
Tristan da Cunha, the most remote inhabited island in the world, is home not only to a tight-knit community of 230 people but also to a distinctive population of farm animals — introduced by the original settlers in the early 19th century — which continue to play an essential role in the islanders’ daily lives. Farming on Tristan is a time-honoured tradition passed down through generations. In a place where importing goods is challenging and infrequent, these animals provide the islanders with security and independence, allowing them to be largely self-sufficient.
For more than 200 years, Tristan’s sustainable farming practices have helped the community thrive in this remote and isolated environment.
55p Hens and £2 Ducks
Around the Settlement, coops for hens and ducks provide a steady supply of fresh eggs, making a significant contribution to the island’s self-sufficiency. Most households maintain small flocks of hens and ducks, which are not only key for producing eggs but also help recycle kitchen waste. The ducks, in particular, provide additional value by helping to control insect populations around the village.
70p Cows and £1 Sheep
Tristan’s herds of cows and flocks of sheep are vital to the community’s meat supply, ensuring reliable access to fresh, locally produced food.
The cattle, made up of a variety of breeds, are owned individually according to a quota, established by the Island Council, to prevent overgrazing. Currently, each household is entitled to one adult breeding cow, although additional semi-wild cattle are kept at The Caves and Stony Beach, beyond the quota system. A smaller number are also kept at Sandy Point. While primarily raised for meat, the cows also provide fresh dairy for the community.
The island’s sheep, a mix of breeds, are raised both for their wool and meat, contributing to the local food supply and the cottage industry that produces hand-made woollen goods. Sheep Shearing Day, typically held in December or January, is a significant event for the islanders, bringing the community together for a day of work followed by social gatherings and traditional braais. Mutton is a staple on the Tristan menu throughout the year, with the highlight being the traditional Christmas dinner featuring stuffed roast mutton. A number of sheep also roam the island's mountain slopes unattended, where they are harvested for meat when needed.
As Tristan da Cunha continues to preserve its unique biodiversity and maintain its sustainable way of life, its farm animals remain central to the community’s resilience and deep connection to the land.
Technical details:
Design: Andrew Robinson
Stamp size: 38 x 30.6mm
Printer: Cartor
Sheet layout: 10
Process: Stochastic lithography
Release date: 28 October, 2024
Perforation: 13 ¼ x 13 per 2cms
Production Co-ordination: Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd
