Barbados – Scott # 217, used

Description

This Barbados commemorative stamp, Scott #217, issued in 1950, highlights the importance of sugar cane breeding to the island’s agricultural economy. The issue reflects Barbados’s long-standing association with sugar production and its efforts to modernize and improve cultivation through scientific research and selective breeding.

The design combines portraiture and agricultural imagery. At left is a formal portrait of King George VI, anchoring the stamp within the British Commonwealth tradition. The main scene depicts sugar cane fields alongside figures engaged in agricultural work and experimental breeding, emphasizing both labor and innovation. A laboratory or research structure appears in the background, reinforcing the theme of scientific advancement in agriculture.

Rendered in a monochromatic green palette, the stamp conveys growth, fertility, and rural productivity. Fine engraved details give texture to the cane fields and surrounding vegetation, while the balanced composition integrates royal symbolism with local industry.

Issued with a 9 cent denomination, the stamp was intended for regular postal use. This example is offered in used condition, showing evidence of normal circulation. Used copies are particularly appealing to collectors of Caribbean stamps, agricultural themes, and British Commonwealth economic history.

Scott Catalog Number: 217
Denomination: 9 cents
Year of Issue: 1950
Condition: Used
Country: Barbados