#saint lucy of syracuse

As you’ll no doubt recall, the English and the French have a complicated history - and the history of Saint Lucia handily reflects that, having endured the flip-flopping dominion by the French and English through the early years of colonization (it was claimed seven times each by both before the English took definitive control in the early 1800s - earning it its informal sobriquet “Helen of the West Indies”).  Saint Lucia gained full independence as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1979.  [Incidentally, it is the only nation on earth named after a once-living lady - in this case, Saint Lucy of Syracuse, named by the French sailors (it is thought) who shipwrecked on her shores on St. Lucy’s Day.]

Stamp details:
Top left:
Issued on: December 18, 1860
From: Castries, Colony of Saint Lucia
MC #1

Top right:
Issued on: December 18, 1960
From: Castries, Territory of Saint Lucia
MC #165

Middle stamps:
Issued on: February 22, 1979
From: Castries, Saint Lucia
MC #450, 452

Stamps on bottom:
Issued in: 2019
From: Castries, Saint Lucia
Colnect #2019-01

Recognized as a sovereign state by the UN: Yes (since September 18, 1979)
Official name: Saint Lucia
Member of the Universal Postal Union: Yes (since July 10, 1980)