Blue Mauritius, book cover

Welcome to the Blue Mauritius Research Companion

This website contains biographical and bibliographical information about the Post Office Mauritius stamps and subjects related to them. It is based on my research for the book Blue Mauritius: The Hunt for the World's Most Valuable Stamps.

Barnard, Joseph Osmond (1816 - 1865)

Born
10 August 1816
Portsmouth, England
Died
30 May 1865
Grand Port, Mauritius
Occupation
Engraver
Summary

Joseph Osmond Barnard, described as a watchmaker, jeweller, engraver, printer and miniature painter, arrived in Mauritius in December 1838. There he pursued the profession of engraver, earning his daily living through the production of business stationery, visiting cards, advertisements and the engraving of wedding rings. He engraved both the Post Office and Post Paid stamps.

To support his growing family, he successfully moved into lighterage (the loading and unloading of goods from ships), and by 1862 was able to purchase a sugar estate, complete with factory, in the south of the island. But in May 1865 Barnard died at the age of forty-eight, leaving behind his widow and ten children.

Related Cultural Artefacts

Related Places

Bibliography

Books

Journal Articles

Journal Notes

Letter to the Editors

Images

Title
Mauritius, Port Louis, Chausee Street (before the fire)
Type
Postcard
Creator
A. Appavou
Control
71
Details
Title
Joseph Barnard's grave, Port Louis, Mauritius
Type
Photograph
Date
2003
Creator
Helen Morgan
Details

Sources used to compile this entry: Dictionary of Mauritian Biography (Dictionnaire de biographie mauricienne), Societe de l'histoire de l'ile Maurice, Port Louis, Mauritius, 1941–81.

Prepared by: Helen Morgan