The postage stamp that was offically launched yesterday to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the Transatlantic trade in Africans. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Are you interested in the collection and study of postage stamps, postmarks, and related materials? whether new or old?

The Jamaica Postal Corporation has added a new design and product to the face of its stamp collection.

The stamp was displayed at its launch in commemoration of the bicentenary of the abolition of the Transatlantic trade in Africans to Jamaica (1807-2007) at the Central Sorting Office in Kingston.

In unveiling the postage stamp yesterday, Kern Spencer, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, said it was done in the memory of our ancestors. Mr. Spencer stated that he would like the Postal Corporation to become an executive agency.

Stamps are available

Currently, the stamps are available to the public at a minimal cost of $30. The postage stamp bears the picture of the dove which symbolises peace, the map of Jamaica and the ship which references the struggles of the slaves and emphasised the theme 'Our Freedom Journey ... Honouring Our Ancestors'.

Postage services began in 1858 in Jamaica when the island was granted control over its own postal service. The collecting of airmail stamps and other mail items carried by air, such as postcards, letter sheets, and envelopes, is called aero-philately.