On Saturday 4th August 2018, The Manx Aviation and Military Museum will host the official launch of Isle of Man Post Office's latest stamp collection 'The ANZAC Memorials of Rayner Hoff'.
The event, which is open to the public, will be on from 10am – 4.30pm and as well as unveiling the stamps will also feature an installation of the "There But Not There" silhouettes which are part of a national campaign to commemorate those who gave their lives during the First World War.
Manx-born sculptor Rayner Hoff was born on the Isle of Man in 1894 and some of his work can still be seen in Douglas; in Derby Square, Market Place and St Matthew's Church. At the outbreak of World War I, Hoff joined the British Army where he first went into the trenches. After the war he received an ex-service award which enabled him to attend London's Royal College of Art, where he honed his skills as a sculptor. After a fantastic career in Europe, Hoff moved to Australia in 1923 and began working on the war memorials, which was heavily inspired by his time in the trenches.
The collection of six stamps features the ANZAC war memorials in Sydney and Adelaide, Australia, where the local artist's work is featured. Each stamp includes a detail from the Sydney or Adelaide memorial and an image of a Manx-born or Isle of Man-descended soldier.
The stamps are released as Australia marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, during which time the Australian Government is enhancing the Anzac Memorial. The 'Centenary Project' will realise the vision of the original architect, Bruce Dellit, and the artists who worked on the project, as well as introducing new spaces.
Maxine Cannon, General Manager at Isle of Man Stamps and Coins, said: 'The sacrifices made by the brave men who fought in the Great War should never be forgotten, which is why we felt it important and are honoured to commemorate the centenary of the end of the war through Rayner Hoff's work'.
For more information about the event visit the Facebook event "There But Not There, A tribute to the fallen WW1 soldiers" and to view the stamp collection visit www.iompost.com/ANZAC.