Isolation is one of the challenges faced by people living on islands. To help overcome this, a pigeon messenger service was established in 1897 between Great Barrier Island (Aotea) and Auckland. The stamps of the two companies offering the service were the first airmail stamps in the world. The pigeongram service ended in 1908, when a telegraph cable was laid. The red stamp was for a service to Marotere (Marotiri) Island in the Hen and Chickens group.
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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference:
MA_I.006721 (top); MA_I.006720 (centre); MA_I.006722 (bottom)
Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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