For immediate release: 24 February 2012
Guernsey Post stamps announces the release of its latest commemorative issues for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the 100th anniversary of the Titanic (issue date 22 February 2012).
For its Diamond Jubilee issue, Guernsey Post has chosen to highlight some of the events which have taken place since the Queen came to the throne with a set of six stamps, souvenir sheet, presentation pack and first day cover.
Each stamp depicts two images, reflecting Her Majesty's family and public life, including the Queen in her Coronation crown, made in 1661 for the coronation of King Charles II, together with Prince Charles admiring his baby brother, Prince Andrew, in 1960 (36p).
On another stamp the Queen is shown taking the salute during Trooping the Colour in London in 1983, whilst the image on the right is of two of Her Majesty's grandchildren, Prince William and Prince Harry, at Wetherby School on 12 September 1989, taken on Prince Harry's first day at school (52p).
Other images in the set include The Queen presenting the Jules Rimet trophy to Bobby Moore following the team's victory over West Germany in the World Cup final in 1966 (47p); and an image of Her Majesty which was taken during her visit to Guernsey on Liberation Day on 9 May 2005, which marked 60 years since the Channel Islands were freed from Nazi occupation (65p).
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of The Titanic, the world's most iconic ship, Guernsey Post has worked with artist Nick Watton to create six striking stamp images, which tell the story of the ship's fateful journey; from embarking upon her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York (36p) to the night of 15 April 1912 when Titanic sank into the sea (65p).
Other images depicted include the grand staircases, which were two of the most luxurious appointments on the ship (48p), and the orchestra playing in a bid to restore calm during the evacuation (52p).
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, commented : - "During our research into the Titanic we discovered a little known fact: she sailed past Alderney as she travelled from Cherbourg to Queenstown on what was to be her first and last voyage. We have depicted her sailing past Braye Harbour on our 47p stamp.
"To commemorate the 100th anniversary we have, in addition to the first day cover and presentation pack, produced a 12-page prestige booklet which tells the fascinating story of the Titanic."
Also released this month (issue date 22 February) is a definitive stamp for the Bengal tiger which comprises a miniature sheet (£3.00), presentation pack (£3.99) and a first day cover (£4.20).
The Bengal tiger is the eighth stamp in the Endangered Species series, which has featured the Golden snub-nosed monkey (2004); the basking shark (2005); Florida everglades (2006); mountain gorilla (2007); the Amur leopard (2009); the Asian elephant 2010); and the blue whale in 2011. The previous issues are available to purchase in an Endangered Species folder priced at £30.56.
The entire endangered species series, including the Bengal tiger, has been illustrated by renowned wildlife artist Joel Kirk, whose pictures are sold around the world. Limited edition prints of the stamp artwork are available to purchase on the Guernsey Stamps website.
Dawn commented: - "During the last 100 years tiger populations have been reduced from hundreds of thousands of animals to perhaps fewer than 1,500. The Bengal tiger is one of the remaining sub species and is classified as endangered.
"In our latest endangered species series Joel Kirk has perfectly captured the beautiful ochre and black markings of this fascinating mammal."
-End release-
Press enquiries to:
Sarah Amies, pr consultant to Guernsey Post, stamps, 01484 687040
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, 01481 733524