The Gilbert and Ellice Islands were a British colony in the Pacific that existed between January 12, 1916, and January 1, 1976.
The Ellice Islands became a separate colony in October 1975 and, shortly thereafter, the Kingdom of Tuvalu; the Gilbert Islands became the Republic of Kiribati in July 1979.
These two archipelagos had been united in a single protectorate since 1892 and were part of the British Western Pacific Territories (BWPT) until 1972.
The separation of the colony appears to have been due to tensions caused by the now approaching autonomy between two communities that did not speak the same language (see Gilbertese language).
The Battle of Tarawa in 1943 pitted the Japanese against the Americans and their Allies for the conquest of Betio (airport and port).
They are known thanks to Sir Arthur Grimble, Resident Commissioner until 1933 (on BBC radio). Nickname: The Cinderellas of the Empire, after Henry Evans Maude, post-war High Commissioner.
Face value | Family number | English name | Scientific name
1939.01
14.01.1939
Definitives, George VI
½d
65
Great Frigatebird Fregata minor
1956.01
01.08.1956
Definitives, Elisabeth II
1939.01
½d
65
Great Frigatebird Fregata minor
1960.01
01.05.1960
Phosphate discovery at Ocean Island
3v set
2d
65
Great Frigatebird Fregata minor
1964.01
20.07.1964
First air service
3v set
1s
70
Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra
Philately has been considered as an "auxiliary science of history" because it is based on the general principles of other sciences, which in turn contribute to enrich it. It acquires knowledge of the sciences, of the arts, of languages and opens an immense road of social relations through all countries. This science broadens broad horizons of culture, discovers artistic temperaments and offers the interest of the new and the unknown, while performing a positive therapeutic wor.
