Isle of Man Post Office has collaborated with the German Post Office to produce a set of stamps and a specially minted coin to mark the centenary of the Christmas Day truce in the 1914-18 war. A percentage of sales will go towards the Royal British Legion, the UK's leading service charity providing care and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.
Isle of Man Post Office has produced 500 limited edition commemorative covers which include a set of three stamps depicting a unique moment in the First World War when soldiers in the trenches on both sides declared their own unofficial truce. It began on Christmas Eve when the roar of gunfire was replaced with the sound of British and German troops singing Christmas carols. For a few hours peace broke out as soldiers met in no man's land to swap stories of home and family, and even played a friendly game of football. The stamps – two produced by the German Post Office and one by Isle of Man Post Office – feature three iconic images of the truce. The stamp and coin cover, which costs £35, features a rare Christmas Day postmark and includes an Isle of Man Treasury Christmas Day Truce Crown which is legal tender. It also tells the story of the truce, German Post Office versions of the commemorative covers will be postmarked in Berlin on Christmas Day. A single stamp cover with the Isle of Man stamp and postmark is also available for £7.50 and dated Christmas Eve.
Maxine Cannon, Isle of Man Stamps and Coins General Manager, said: "The Christmas Day truce still has resonance 100 years on and continues to be a symbol of hope across the world. We're delighted to have been able to collaborate with the German Post Office to produce a poignant and respectful reminder of this unique moment in history."
The Isle of Man Post Office commemorative stamp and coin covers will be available from 21st January 2015,while the single stamp cover will be issued on the 24th December 2014 but pre-orders are now been taken with the option to have a free download certificate of reservation if it's for a Christmas gift. For full details go to https://www.iompost.com/stamps-coins/ or call +44 (0)1624 698430.
The website also has details of Isle of Man Stamps and Coins collections to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings which also help to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.
To purchase coin cover please visit: https://www.iompost.com/stamps-coins/collection/world-war-1-life-in-the-trenches/world-war-i-christmas-day-truce-stamp-and-coin-cover/
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Isle of Man Stamps & Coins, PO Box IOM, Isle of Man Post Office, Douglas, ISLE OF MAN, IM99 1PB
