For immediate release: 10 May 2011
Guernsey Stamps is pleased to announce the release of two stamp issues - Europa "Forests" and Bailiwick Birds (issued 4 May).
Following on from last year's Europa Children's Books theme which featured Guernsey Stamps' newly created fictional character Penny the Postie, this year Penny will embark on a new adventure entitled Penny and the Dragon, where she encounters fairies, elves and a dragon in a forest setting.
Illustrated by Penny's creator, Keith Robinson, the stamps have been designed to complement the Europa theme, with each one depicting the nuts and leaves found on the trees which will feature in the story book.
There are three stamps featured in this issue: the Acorn (45p), which comes only from oaks; the Hazel Nut (52p) from the hazel tree; and the Conker stamp (£2.00) which is shown with its partial shell and the leaves of the horse chestnut tree.
The stamps are also depicted on a souvenir sheet on a bed of leaves and nuts.
For its Alderney issue on Bailiwick Birds, Guernsey Stamps has highlighted some of the species to be found in the Bailiwick of Guernsey (the islands of Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Lihou and Brecqhou).
Illustrated by Wendy Bramall the six stamps feature the black-headed Mediterranean Gull (36p), with its white wing-tips and underwings, whilst the colourful markings of the Shelduck, with its prominent red bill and black-green head, are shown on the 45p stamp.
The tiny Firecrest (48p) is depicted on a hawthorn bush; the 52p stamp shows a Balearic Shearwater in full flight; the Woodcock, a bulky wading bird, is illustrated on the 58p stamp; and the fluffy tail feathers of the Little Grebe are depicted on the 65p stamp.
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Stamps commented: - "Following the successful creation of Penny the Postie for last year's Europa stamps we wanted to develop this product further. The Forests theme gave us the opportunity to create a set of stamps that link perfectly with the storybook."
Dawn continued: "The Channel Islands offer abundant wildlife and, as they lie on the main migratory routes of many bird species, at certain times of year unusual and even rare birds can be found around the coastlines of the Islands. We wanted to celebrate this with our special Bailiwick Birds issue."
-End release-
Press enquiries to:
Sarah Amies, pr consultant, 01484 687040/07811 133973
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, 01481 733524
Specifications:
Birds:
Date of issue 4 May
Designer: Wendy Bramall
Printer: BDT International
Values: 36p, 45p,48p, 52p, 58p,65p
Process: Offset lithography
Stamp Size 30.56 x 38mm wide
Souvenir sheet size 100m deep x 140mm wide
Paper: 110gsm unwatermarked PVA adhesive
Sheet: 10
Perforation: 13.75
Cylinder: A
Europa
Date of issue: 4 May
Designer: Keith Robinson
Printer: Joh Enschede
Value: 45p, 52p, £2
Process: Offset lithography
Stamp Size 35 x 35mm wide
Souvenir sheet size 86mm deep x 135mm wide
Paper: 110gsm unwatermarked PVA adhesive
Sheet: 10
Perforation: 13.75
Cylinder: A
-ENDS-