English naval officer Philip Carteret of the HMS Swallow named Pitcairn Island in 1767, after mid-shipman Robert Pitcairn the first known European to sight Pitcairn.
The island was settled in 1790 by nine crew members from the H.M.S. Bounty. These settlers also brought along some Polynesians from Tahiti. By the time American sailors docked at Pitcairn in 1808 only one man was still alive. However, 25 children of the original settlers carried on the mutineers’ bloodlines. In 1831 Pitcairn’s population resettled on Tahiti, but many people later moved back to Pitcairn. In 1856, as a result of overpopulation and scarcity of food and water, the entire community moved to Norfolk Island at the behest of the British government. Many of these also returned to the island.
Should you wish to communicate directly with the Pitcairn Island Administration their contact details are:
Pitcairn Island Philatelic Bureau
218F Willis Street
PO Box 27 404
Marion Square
Wellington 6141
NEW ZEALAND
Web Site
stamps@pitcairn.gov.pn
Tel + 64 4 385 3765
Fax + 64 4 385 3706
Stamp Issues Available