were overprints on the stamps of their colony New Caledonia, in 1908 reading just "NOUVELLES HEBRIDES" and in 1910 adding "CONDOMINIUM". The joint issue of 1911, inscribed "NOUVELLES HEBRIDES" with denominations in centimes, was at first printed on British paper, then in 1912 on French paper watermarked "R F". As with the British, surcharged provisionals became necessary in 1920. French issues of 1925 and 1938 were analogous to their British counterparts, but in 1941, the 1938 stamps were overprinted "France Libre" to signify that the Free French Forces were in control instead of Vichy France. Postwar issues were generally consistent with British versions, differing primarily in being inscribed in French. Vanuatu Modern stamps have been issued under the name Vanuatu since independence in 1980. Local stamps In 1897 a local inter-island postal service was started by the Australasian New Hebrides Company for which two local stamps were issued. The service failed and the remaining stock of stamps was later sold to stamp dealers. References and sources References Sources Stanley Gibbons Ltd: various catalogues Encyclopaedia of Postal Authorities Rossiter, Stuart & John Flower. The Stamp Atlas. London: Macdonald, 1986. See also Vanuatu Post The national post office of Vanuatu. External links The Lost Islands of Oceania at Philatelic Database. Communications in Vanuatu Vanuatu