Isle of Man Post Office celebrates the Chinese New Year with a set of four stamps designed by Manx illustrator and artist Jay Cover.
The Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is one of the most widely celebrated annual festivals on the planet. 2021 marks the year of the Ox, the second animal within the twelve year cycle or the Zodiac. According to legend the Chinese zodiacs’ order was chosen by the Jade Emperor through a race. Rat and Ox travelled together and struck up a deal: Ox would carry Rat while Rat would sing for him. Just as they got to the finish line Rat jumped off and came in first.
The four stamps valued at 62p, £1.58, £2.44 and £3.22 are the first triangular stamps from any of the British postal administrations (Royal Mail, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man).
The uncommon design was first issued by the Cape of Good Hope on 1st September 1853 and are generally referred to as the ‘Cape Triangulars’. The Cape Legislative Council determined that it wanted a ‘device so different from those of English postage stamps as to catch the eye at a glance’.
Richard West MBE, Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society enthusiastically commented “Even more unusual is the fact that two of the stamps have the apex of the triangle at the base of the design. Most triangular stamps are designed with the apex at the top of the stamp, printed in sheets with alternate stamps upside down (known as ‘tête-bêche’), an arrangement successfully overcome in this case.”
Artist Jay Cover, said: “For the illustrator creating a stamp design for your country is like being an athlete competing in the Olympic Games. Not only that but to do so in such an innovative way, by creating Britain’s first triangular stamp and to celebrate the Chinese New Year speaks to our Island’s global outlook, our openness our desire to embrace other cultures. It’s an absolute privilege as always to work with Isle of Man Post Office and I’m eternally grateful to them for giving me the opportunity.”
Maxine Cannon, General Manager Isle of Man Stamps & Coins, said: “We are very proud to be able to issue the first ever triangular stamps from a British postal administration and are ever so grateful for the support and expertise of issue text author Richard West. We also would like to thank Jay Cover; his unique and delightful designs form the perfect focal point for this extraordinary stamp shape.”
‘The Chinese Year of the Ox’ collection is available as a Set and Sheet Set, a 62p Value Stamp Sheet, Presentation Pack (limited to 1500) and First Day Cover (limited to 2250). There will also be a limited numbered edition of 100 Imperforate Sheetlets available. For further information, please visit www.iompost.com/ox.
-ENDS-
For images of the stamps, please visit our Media Centre
Technical Details
Text: Richard West MBE
Design: Jay Cover
Printer: Cartor
Process: Offset Lithography
Colours: 4 Spot Colours
Paper: 110 gms PVA gummed
Perforation Gauge: 12.598 x 12.47 x 12.47 per 2 cms
Stamp Size: 63.5 x 44.9 x 44.9 mm
Format: Sheets of 20
Date of Issue: 7th January 2021