Alderney Final Panel of the Bayeux Tapestry

For immediate release – 20 May 2014  

A unique community project on the Channel Island of Alderney is the focus of Guernsey Post’s latest stamps, which depict the final panel of the Bayeux Tapestry - arguably one of the world’s most famous embroideries of events leading up to the Battle of Hastings.

The project is the brainchild of Alderney resident Kate Russell, an American, whose fascination with the Bayeux Tapestry began in the 1970s when she first saw the original in Bayeux, France.  Kate said: - “Not many people realise that the Bayeux Tapestry is incomplete, the final segment having been lost. Most experts now believe that a piece portraying a scene of the coronation of William I would have been included in the original work.

“When I saw Jan Messent’s Finale to the Bayeux Tapestry, I knew that I had found the vehicle to celebrate this heritage and remind residents and visitors to Alderney of its Norman origins.”

From the outset this was seen as a community project, with the design and inscriptions provided by Alderney residents Pauline Black and Robin Whicker.  The aim was to remain true to the style and materials of the Bayeux Tapestry, with historical events from 14 October to 25 December 1066 portrayed in the central section but with images reflecting the perspective of the embroiderers in the borders.

Alderney’s tiny community and its visitors have fully supported the project from its inception, enabling the tapestry to be completed within one year between February 2012 and January 2013 by 416 stitchers aged between 4 and 100, including their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

The Channel Islands connection

Two embroiderers are shown in the lower border to honour the original creators of the Bayeux Tapestry, along with an image showing animals that represent the Channel Islands being protectively embraced by the English lion.  An anachronism in the upper border will ensure that no confusion is possible with the lost concluding section.  This shows Wace, a Channel Islander and the author of the Roman de Rou, writing his history of the Norman people in the 1170s, while it is now believed that the Bayeux Tapestry was completed within 20 years of the Battle of Hastings.

Guernsey Post’s head of philatelic, Dawn Gallienne, commented: - “We are thrilled that we have been able to create a replica of Alderney’s Final Panel as a special miniature sheet stamp. This has been achieved by printing the stamp sheet onto cotton, which we believe has never been done by any other postal administration in Europe.”

Kate added: - “Having our Bayeux Tapestry Finale reproduced on Guernsey Post’s stamps is an honour for everyone who contributed to this project.  We are delighted that the news of our efforts and of our beautiful island will be sent around the world in this way.”

-End release-

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

 

Note to editors: -

    When the Tapestry leaves its permanent home of Alderney Library for Bayeux on 24 June a photographic replica on canvas will take its place.  It will take pride of place at the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in France from 1 July until mid-September 2014.  This is a unique achievement, as it is understood to be the first time an independently created finale has been accepted for exhibition in the very same museum.

-ENDS-

 

SPECIFICATION

Date of issue: 28 May 2014
Designer: Bridget Yabsley
Printer: Cartor Security Printing
Values: 40p, 53p, 55p, 63p,  71p, 79p, £3
Process: Offset Lithography
Stamp sizes: 30.6mm deep x 38mm wide
M/Sheet size: 48mm deep x 198mm wide
M/Sheet stamp: 40.6mm deep x 29.8mm wide
Paper: 100gsm unwatermarked / PVA Adhesive
M/Sheet Paper: 100% Combed Cotton, thread 167 x 167
Perforation: 13.25 x 13 - Sheet 14.24 x 14
Sheet: 10
Cylinder: A