This year marks the 500th anniversary of Juan de Bermudez? sighting of Bermuda. To commemorate the event The Bermuda Philatelic Bureau yesterday announced the release of commemorative stamps.

Next Thursday the set of five stamps will debut. This issue commemorates 500 years of the discovery of Bermuda, and displays various historical maps as well as different types of navigational instruments used by mariners who sailed to the islands over the past 500 years.

Issued to highlight the historical cartography from 1500 until the present day, this issue represents the first of five stamp issues for the year.

The stamps represent the following:

The $1.25 stamp depicts a map created in 1548. Accompanying the map is a set of dividers which were recovered from a 16th Century Bermuda shipwreck. It shows ?La Bermuda? in the lower left corner.

The $1.10 stamp depicts a map, called La Bermude, created in 1692. Accompanying the map is a telescope, which was used to magnify images of distant objects.

The 70 cent stamp depicts a map created in 1764. Accompanying the map is an image of Harrison?s chronometer, an instrument designed to measure time.

The 35 cent stamp depicts a map created in 1816. Accompanying the map is a sextant.

The 25 cent stamp depicts a map created in 1940. Accompanying the map is an overhead compass.

This collection continues the Bermuda Post Office?s efforts to portray all facets of Bermuda?s heritage, culture and history.

Orders may be pre-paid for collection or mailing on the day of issue at the General Post Office or any sub-Post Office.

The next stamp issue will be released in April and will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.