The 200th Anniversary of the Guernsey Press and Star

For immediate release   30 July 2013

Guernsey Post is to issue a commemorative stamp set to mark the 200th anniversary of The Guernsey Press and Star (The Press) serving the island (issue date 31 July 2013).

The commemorative set features three pairs of stamps that illustrate the longevity of The Press whilst emphasising its role in relation to major events at home and abroad.

The designs are miniature interpretations of six key front pages with the mastheads, typefaces and images all drawn from the original editions.

Pair one features the inaugural issue of the publication in June 1813 (40p stamp), and the front page of the 200th year edition in 2013 (63p stamp).

The second pair commemorates two British monarchs who have celebrated Diamond Jubilees during the Press' lifetime. Queen Victoria celebrated 60 years on the throne in 1897, the year that the first issue of The Guernsey Evening Press was published. The occasion was recorded in a special supplement of The Star (53p stamp), which was filled with drawings and descriptions of the day. The 71p stamps shows how The Press celebrated the occasion of Her Majesty the Queen's Coronation in June 1953.

The final pair illustrates one of the most definitive chapters in Guernsey's history. In the summer of 1940, the occupation of the Channel Islands began and The Press fell under Nazi control: the front page on 2 July was devoted to the 'Orders of the Commandant' (55p stamp).  The green postage stamp depicted was produced by The Guernsey Press' commercial print department and went into circulation from 1941 when supplies of British stamps ran out.

Following the islands' liberation in 1945, The Press ran a triumphant headline and illustration (79p stamp). The date of 9th May has been commemorated ever since and the edition holds the record for the highest single day's circulation in the newspaper's history, with 17,585 copies sold.

Said Richard Digard, editor of The Press: 'We are delighted that our special anniversary is being marked with this stamp issue, which absolutely captures the essence and history of our newspaper over the last two centuries'.

-End release-

Press enquiries to:
Sarah Amies, pr consultant, 01484 687040/07811 133973
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, Guernsey Post   01481 733524

Editors' notes: -

Born as The Star or Guernsey Weekly Advertiser, the paper was absorbed by sister publication The Guernsey Evening Press in 1965 to become The Guernsey Evening Press and Star. Its original purpose was to provide islanders with news from London as well as 'Historical Anecdotes, Biographical Sketches of the most eminent Men of every nation, and of every age; original and select Poetry'. Whilst it continues to bring news from the UK and around the globe, the newspaper of today is firmly rooted in local life and no longer defers to the nation's capital for its editorial content.

-ENDS-

Specification details: -
Date of Issue: 31 July 2013
Designer: The Potting Shed
Printer: Cartor Security Printing
Values: 40p, 53p, 55p, 63p, 71p, 79p
Process: Offset Lithography
Stamp size: 45mm deep x 28mm wide
S/S size:  140mm deep x 100mm wide
Paper: 110gsm unwatermarked PVA adhesive
Sheet: 10
Cylinder: A