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The first postal service took place using mail sent with captains of packet ships, using agents in the England and in the islands for the end delivery. The cost was normally 3d. To facilitate the collection of post, pillar boxes were introduced in the Channel Islands in 1852.
The first postage stamps issued by Guernsey were issued in 1941 during the German occupation of the Channel Islands. In 1969 Guernsey Post was created and since then Guernsey postage stamps have been issued on a regular basis. From 1983 Guernsey began issuing specific stamps designated Alderney for use in that island.
History
The first pillar boxes in Britain were introduced in the Channel Islands as an experiment in 1852, to collect mail for the Royal Mail packet boats. The oldest pillar box in use in the British Isles is in Guernsey.
The first postage stamps printed for use in Guernsey were issued during the occupation of the island during World War II.
In the 1950's Guernsey used British regional stamps marked specifically for use in Guernsey but valid for postage throughout the United Kingdom.
Guernsey has issued its own stamps since the creation of Guernsey Post, 1 October 1969.
In 1983 the first stamps titled "Alderney" were issued, since then regular sets of stamps for use in that island have been issued.
In 1998 postage stamps were issued without a price stated on the stamp, the terms "Local" and "UK" being used to distinguish the values. In 2010 "EUR" (Europe) and "ROW" (Rest of World) were issued. In 2012 this was expanded further with "UK Letter", "GY letter" (Guernsey) "INT letter" (International) "UK large" and "GY large" designating envelope size and destination.
Starting in 2015, Guernsey also issues Post & Go stamps.