Queen Elizabeth II 25th Anniversary Coronation First Day Cover, Pitcairn Island postmarked on October 9, 1978.

Pitcairn Island

Situated midway between Australia and South America, Pitcairn is all that remains of an extinct volcano and is surrounded by cliffs inaccessible to all but whaleboats. Discovered in 1767 by Carteret, it was first settled by nine sailors from the 'Bounty', which was burned on arrival but has recently been detected underwater off the island's southern end. The Bounty, captained by the notorious Captain Bligh, was on a voyage to improve the cost effectiveness of coffee, sugar and cotton plantations in the West Indies by bringing back breadfruit trees, 100 of which would cheaply feed a dozen slaves and keep them at hard labour the year round. Having set the captain adrift in the S.W. Pacific, the sailors set off with six Polynesian men and eleven women to build a new life on the rich volcanic soil of Pitcairn, where about 80 of their descendants still live.

Pitcairn's Coronation 25th Anniversary stamp was designed by Jennifer Toombs and depicts the Queen seated in St. Edward's Chair surrounded by her entourage. The chair, to be seen in St. Edward's Chapel, Westminster Abbey, was ordered by Edward I to house the Stone of Scone, seized from the Scots in 1297. It rests on four regal lions and is decorated with various animals and birds. Having an important role in every coronation from the 14th century on, the chair was even taken from the Abbey to Westminster Hall for Cromwell's enthronement as Lord Protector.

The Stone of Scone, used for the coronations of several Scottish kings, has a long history, much of which is lost in the mists of legend. In mediaeval times it was claimed to be the stone that Jacob rested his head on at Bethel, and that it passed, through Egypt and Spain, to Ireland where, on the hill at Tara, it became the crowning stone of the Irish. From there it was supposed to have been taken to Scotland by Fergus II. Most likely, however, its importance derives from Celtic kingship rites involving standing on the burial mound of the predecessor, and the requirement of a prospective king that he be able to produce sound from a 'blowing stone' to call his men to arms. The tale that the stone at Tara groaned for the true king but remained silent for a pretender probably has the same origin.