To the north east of Venezuela lies an archipelago which was ceded by Spain to Britain in 1802 and whose main islands are Trinidad and Tobago.

For this postal tour, we are indebted to John Cooper for most of the scans and their captions.

Port of Spain

Most familiar of Trinidad’s postmarks is that of it’s capital, Port of Spain. This air mail cover (left) to British Guiana (franked 14c despite an indicated rate of 15c) is postmarked De 20 35 and backstamped Air Mail GPO British Guiana for 22 De 35. (The above cover to Venezuela has been airmailed at the correct rate of 22c).

San Fernando

The postmark of the larger of Trinidad’s two cities cancels the three 2c stamps, (6c being the first ounce foreign surface rate), on this cover to Argentina, dated 10 Dec 35.

California

Not the U.S. one but the one bordering the University of Trinidad & Tobago. A 29 Jul 35 date stamp cover to London sent at the 3 cent empire rate.

Mucurapo

A cover to U.S.A. at the foreign rate of 6 cents, cancelled by Mucurapo (N.W. Trinidad) date stamp of 28 Jun 35.

Caura

Another 2 cent local rate cover, this time cancelled with a small Caura (county of St George) cds for Ju 28 35, (latest known date for this cancel, and the 35 is upside down) and back stamp of Tacarigua (same date).

Belmont

A 3 cent registered envelope, uprated with 3 cent Jubilee to London, tied by Belmont (at the foot of the Laventille Hills) cds for 17.8.35 with a reg. Trinidad back stamp.

...and from Tobago...

Roxborough

The village, known for the Argyle Falls, provides the Sp 10 35 cancel on this empire rate cover to an Oxford Street store in London.

La Brea

Coming from La Brea (“The Tar” – due to its natural asphalt lake) is this cover to England, (3c empire rate and 6c registration). La Brea’s postmark is for 6 Jun 35 and the back stamp of Plymouth is 22 Ju 35.

Palo Seco

With back stamps of Sibaria and Port of Spain, another 3 cent empire rate cover to U.K. with, this time, the 29.10.35 date stamp of the home of the football velodrome.

Arima

A local 2 cent letter to the Royal Borough (grant of Queen Victoria) of Arima, tied by Port of Spain and single ring Arima cds’s, both of 5th. September.

San Juan

Coupled with the empire 3 cent rate is the 6 cent registration on this cover to Canada, tied by San Juan (a busy town, east of Port of Spain) cds for 21 Dec 35 with back stamps of Trinidad reg., Montreal and Winnipeg.

Scarborough

Tobago’s largest town is dominated by Fort George. Its postmark cancels this 3 cent stamp which is the postcard foreign rate.