Postage stamps and postal history of Martinique Postage stamps and postal history of Martinique This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of Martinique. Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados. It is an overseas region of France. Stamps of France were used in Martinique from 1851, and the French colonies general issues from 1859. The first stamp of Martinique was issued on 18 July 1886, overpriniting "Martinique" on the French colonies general issues. In 1892, the first definitive set, the French colonial series, was issued. A series
Martinique in the town of Saint-Pierre, Auguste Cyparis, was saved by the thick walls of his prison cell. Shortly thereafter the capital shifted to Fort-de-France, where it remains today. During WWII, the Vichy government controlled Martinique and Guadeloupe. German U-boats used Martinique for refueling and re-supply during the Battle of the Caribbean. In 1942, 182 ships were sunk in the Caribbean, dropping to 45 in 1943, and 5 in 1944. Free French forces took over on the island on Bastille Day, 14 July 1943, as Admiral Robert fled. In 1946, the French National Assembly voted unanimously to transform the colony into