The Prohibition Era in the United States began when the Eighteenth Amendment to the US Constitution. The Eighteenth Amendment was introduced in December 1917 and ratified as a part of the Constitution just over a year later. In accordance with the law, Prohibition began on January 17, 1920 with a nationwide ban on the sale, import, production, and transportation of alcoholic beverages.
With strong demand for liquor remaining, a new opportunity arose, illegally transporting alcohol to the US from nearby countries such as The Bahamas. Bootlegging, also known as rum-running, is the process of illegally transporting alcohol. Due to its proximity to the US, The Bahamas became a key distributor of liquor during this time. In 1917, Nassau had cleared 37,821 gallons of liquor and by 1922, this had soared to 1,340,443 gallons.
The Bahamian government increased tax on imported alcohol, allowing them to profit from the black market trade without limiting it. West End on Grand Bahama Island became a key trading port due to it being one of the closest points to the US. In Nassau, the main trading point of The Bahamas, two hotels were built, the harbour was deepened, a wharf was constructed, and other infrastructure was modernised, creating an economic boom.
Details
- Designer: John Waddington of Kirkstall Ltd, Leeds, England
- Printer: Format International Security Printers Ltd
- Process: Lithography
- Paper:
- Watermark: Crown CA (Diagonal)
- Perf: 14.5 (comb)
- Cylinders: Printed in four panes separated by gutter between the four panes, and guillotined into two horizontal panes.
- 1A (Cyan) 1A (Yellow) 1A (Magenta) 1A (Black) 1A (Orange) : 1B (Cyan) 1B (Yellow) 1B (Magenta) 1B (Black) 1B (Orange) [upper left : upper right]
- 1C (Cyan) 1C (Yellow) 1C (Magenta) 1C (Black) 1C (Orange): 1D (Cyan) 1D (Yellow) 1D (Magenta) 1D (Black) 1D (Orange) [lower left : lower right]
- 1A (Cyan) 1A (Yellow) 1A (Magenta) 2A (Black) 1A (Orange) : 1B (Cyan) 1B (Yellow) 1B (Magenta) 2B (Black) 1B (Orange) [upper left : upper right]
- 1C (Cyan) 1C (Yellow) 1C (Magenta) 2C (Black) 1C (Orange): 1D (Cyan) 1D (Yellow) 1D (Magenta) 2D (Black) 1D (Orange) [lower left : lower right]
- Sheet: R10 x 5 in two panes separated by a gutter (100 stamps)
- Quantity:
Cylinder Numbers
Sheet Numbers
