Pitcairn Island lies about mid-way
between New Zealand and South America - a precipitous outcrop of volcanic rock in the
South Pacific. It was once inhabited by Polynesians. In 1790, Fletcher Christian with his mixed
crew of Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions chose the island as their haven.
Apart from a fleeting visit by an American sealer, the Bounty settlers remained in
isolation for 25 years before discovery by the British Navy. By then only one of the
original mutineers, John Adams, remained alive. The descendants of the mutineers stayed on
the island, trading with the increasing number of passing ships. Twice the entire
population has left Pitcairn but again returned. The first Pitcairn stamps were issued in
1940. Stamp sales are now the island's largest single source of revenue as stamp
collectors explore the romantic history and unique lifestyle of the Pitcairners.
1790, Fletcher Christian with his mixed
crew of Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions chose the island as their haven.
Apart from a fleeting visit by an American sealer, the Bounty settlers remained in
isolation for 25 years before discovery by the British Navy. By then only one of the
original mutineers, John Adams, remained alive. The descendants of the mutineers stayed on
the island, trading with the increasing number of passing ships. Twice the entire
population has left Pitcairn but again returned. The first Pitcairn stamps were issued in
1940. Stamp sales are now the island's largest single source of revenue as stamp
collectors explore the romantic history and unique lifestyle of the Pitcairners.