JAMAICA AND QUEEN VICTORIA

Jamaica is an island country located in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba. “Originally inhabited by the indigenous Arawak and Taíno peoples, the island came under Spanish rule following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494,”
as stated in an article on wikipedia.org and

“Jamaica was an English colony from 1655 (when it was captured by the English from Spain) or 1670 (when Spain formally ceded Jamaica to the English), and a British Colony from 1707 until 1962, when it became independent. Jamaica became a Crown colony in 1866.”

The difference in the term English colony and British colony can be explained in an excerpt from a discussion on the stackexchange.com website about the difference between English and British.

Noted that living your life in England makes you “ethnically English and politically British. Although Great Britain is a geographical term, British describes nationals of the whole of the United Kingdom and Britain is sometimes used to mean the United Kingdom. Things are often perceived differently abroad, and even by some of the British themselves. The whole political entity is frequently referred to as England, even though England is only a part of it. That doesn’t usually bother the English, but it might bother the Welsh, the Scots and the Northern Irish. The best policy is to call the country the United Kingdom or, less formally, Britain. Call the people British, unless you know them to be English, Welsh, Scottish or Northern Irish or something else.”

As described on wikipedia.org, the later term Crown Colony refers to the “Crown colony, dependent territory or royal colony were dependent territories under the administration of United Kingdom overseas territories that were controlled by the British Government. As such they are examples of dependencies that fall under colonial rule. All Crown colonies were renamed "British Dependent Territories" in 1981.”

A historical fact is that,

“Jamaica was the first British colony to establish a post office. Gabriel Martin was appointed postmaster on 31 October 1671, shortly after British possession of the island was confirmed.” It is noted that, “British stamps were used from 8 May 1858 in Kingston and from November 1858 at other offices. Until 1860, the postal service (was) under the control of Great Britain, despite repeated efforts by Jamaican authorities to take over. Soon afterwards, British stamps were no longer accepted, and De La Rue was commissioned to produce stamps for Jamaica, featuring a laureate profile of Queen Victoria. The first issue consisted of five values ranging from one penny to one shilling, each with a different frame, inscribed "JAMAICA POSTAGE", and were watermarked with a pineapple design. They were first issued on 23 November 1860. Additional stamps in the series appeared through the end of the century.”

This Queen Victoria Jamaica stamp is from the 1885 era. I wonder if the significance of the laureate wreath headdress that De La Rue created for the profile of Queen Victoria is similar to the representation as mentioned on wikipedia.org that “In Rome they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during his triumph.” Although Jamaican authorities gained their victory to have the new stamps printed with JAMAICAN POSTAGE on the stamp, Queen Victoria’s profile wearing the laureate on the stamp seems to indicate a subtle, but victorious display of her sovereignty.

Referenced Articles

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_of_Jamaica

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/51978/what-is-the-difference-between-english-and-british

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_colony

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_wreath