Word has reached me that a set of stamps to be issued this year by the Barbados Philatelic Bureau will be a set of stamps depicting Rum Shops.

The Barbados Rum Shop has long been the centrepiece of many communities, where people gather to drink, talk and generally while away the hours. Oddly, there has never been a set yet on this topic which, given their ubiquitous nature, seems strange. I’ve been checking back and I can’t even see one creeping into any previous issues either, so this really will be a departure.

Given the number of Rum Shops on the island, it could well be that these become the new set of definitives, which typically run to anything up to 14 values, though as the Gullies series was only issued in 2024 it would seem a little early for their replacement. If, therefore, these are just a normal set then it’s typically five stamps, which excludes a huge number of Rum Shops on the island, many of whom will lay a claim to being included in a set. Or perhaps this is an opportunity to start a new theme with a new set of five stamps every year?

Either way, we’re looking forward to seeing these designs, along with the other proposed new issues of Barbadians in The Carolinas and perhaps the 60th Anniversary of Independence?

Whatever order these are issued, remember, in Barbados “It’s always time for a rum!”