One Cent Magenta Stamp Tour with Lunch

Overview

Available languages

German

English

5 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

A journey into the colonial history of Guyana and the story of the 1 cent Magenta, the world's rarest and most expensive postage stamp.

The One-Cent Magenta Stamp was first discovered by a 12-year-old schoolboy, L. Vernon Vaughan, amongst some family papers in the 1856 edition of The Royal Gazette, Georgetown, in 1873.

He sold it for six shillings, apparently convinced he could find a better stamp example, but no one ever has.

It was no longer an ordinary stamp, a disposable element on a newspaper that was itself disposable. From the 1870s, the one-cent magenta was prized, tucked away in closely watched storage cabinets in palaces or vaults in banks. It fits the definition of collected objects prescribed by the cultural historian Philipp Blom in 2011. Such things "are like holy relics," he wrote. "They have shed their original function and become totems."

This tour will bring you close to the home of the world's rarest stamp.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

soft drinks tea and coffee

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Our first stop is a visit to the Manatee Pond in the National Park . Manatee’s were depicted on Guyanese stamps in 1993.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Visit the Walter Rodney Archive and see an original copy of the Royal Gazette newspaper which the 1 cent magenta was found on

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

One Cent Magenta Stamp Tour with Lunch

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

6 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A great insight into...
Tonia F,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A great insight into Guyana's history and the 1 cent Magenta stamp story. Eon and Jessica were very knowledgeable and friendly. From feeding manatees to eating beef and yorkshire puddings in their Secret Garden it was a very enjoyable day. Well worth booking.
Best tour in Georgetown
steveoR2128FQ,
Feb 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a fascinating story! Jessica and Eon had researched everything thoroughly and were completely engaging. The tour ended with a delicious meal at their house. Our only regret is that we didn’t take this tour earlier as we would then have booked the cookery experience that they also offer.
Magenta one cent tour
dianelQ1283DG,
Jan 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a fun and interesting introduction to Georgetown! Feeding manatees, great information on the magenta one cent stamp (and more) and a wonderful lunch.
A wonderful relaxing and informative day exploring the magnificent 1c Magenta
Traveler07702554519,
Oct 31, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a very interesting and informative tour. Having a personal connection to the stamp made it even more special. This tour is very well structured from visiting the museum to see the actual press that produced the stamp, to the original post offing where it was initialled. We even got a chance to see the type of newspaper of that period of which the stamp was used to post. The day finished with a traditional meal from those old colonial days, expertly cooked by Eon and Jessica. Great hosts and I learnt so much!
We loved it...
G2711GQjanes,
Jul 20, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We have just come from the One Cent Magenta Tour and we loved we every minute. A lovely couple bring it all to life and show and tell the story about the world's rarest and most expensive postage stamp which comes from Guyana. Lots of information and little surprises. The food was great and we learned lots. We are so glad we did it. You should do it too, we'll worth the money paid.
EXELLENT
robertoantoniac,
May 23, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a very nice excursion. I only discuver Georgetown with Singing Chef Adventures, otherwise it would have been impossible. I still having the test of the food in my mouth. They are super frinedly and were to kind with my.