Antigua has an intriguing philatelic history you’ll want in your collection… Colonized by the British in the early 1630s, Antigua’s first stamps were issued in 1862. From 1890-1903, Antigua stamps were replaced by those of the Leeward Islands. (The Leewards was a federation of islands in the West Indies – Antigua was a member.) 1903-1956, when Antigua became a British Crown Colony, stamps of Antigua and Leewards were used. In 1981, Antigua became independent within the Commonwealth. Its stamps are now inscribed “Antigua (&) Barbuda.” As a dependency of Antigua, Barbuda issues its own stamps. Collecting British Colonies – including Antigua and Leeward Islands – makes an interesting specialty collection. (Fascinating fact: Antigua and Barbuda have a 99% literacy rate!)