1980 Guam Guard Mail, 50th Anniversary Quarter Sheet, 4 Stamps

Stamp Sheet Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Guam Guard Mail

This sheet of stamps honors the 1930 beginning of local post service in Guam.  They bear the image of Guam’s coat of arms, like the first stamps issued for the service.

When Guam became a US Territory, America became responsible for the nation’s mail service.  The US Post Office Department brought mail to and from Guam but didn’t provide delivery to homes or businesses.  In response, the military governor created a local post service in April 1930.  A local taxi service transported the mail on a 15-mile route twice a day.  Each village appointed commissioners, who would distribute the mail locally.  At first, overprinted stamps were used to pay for the new service.  In July, the Coat of Arms stamps were issued.  By August the service had proved to be so successful that Guard mail was extended to the southern part of the island nation. 

Guard Mail didn’t last long.  By the start of 1931, it was phased out in the north as the US Post Office Department took over mail delivery.  The southern route was turned over to US authorities in April.  In 1976, Guard Mail began again and provided service among their offices.  This sheet of stamps was issued in 1980 in honor of the 50th anniversary of Guard Mail.  Unfortunately, the service was permanently discontinued the following year.

Now you can own a piece of Guam’s postal history when you add this sheet of Guard Mail stamps to your collection.  Order today.