http://www.stampandcoin.co.uk FEBRUARY 2016 49GUERNSEY
NEW STAMPS FROM GUERNSEY, ISLE OF MAN & JERSEYOne of the world’s largest and most powerful eagles features on
Guernsey Post’s latest miniature sheet, to be issued on 17 February.
The latest part of Guernsey’s Endangered Species series, the miniature
sheet shows the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), one of the rarest
species in the world, listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red
List, with a wild population estimated to be fewer than 500. Endemic to
the Philippines, the stunning bird of prey is found on only four of over
7,000 islands in this region, namely Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.
Habitat loss through forest destruction and fragmentation is one
of the main long-term threats to the Philippine Eagle, along with
uncontrolled hunting. The birds are also vulnerable to accidental
capture in traps intended for wild pigs and deer.Growing up to a metre in length with a two-metre wingspan,
yet swift and agile in the air, the Philippine Eagle has stunning
brown and white plumage, a huge dark black bill with a tinge of
blue and bright yellow feet.
‘The Philippine Eagle has been illustrated by world renowned
wildlife artist, Joel Kirk, who has worked on all of our endangered
species stamps,’ says Bridget Yabsley, acting head of philatelic at
Guernsey Post. ‘Joel has travelled the world to study wildlife in
its natural habitat; he has an incredible eye for detail and we are
delighted with his wonderful depiction of this species.’Guernsey highlights Philippine Eagle plight
Stamp details
Date of issue: 17 February 2016
Designer: Joel Kirk
Printer: Cartor Security Printers, offset lithography
Perforations: 14 x 14.25
Sheet Size: 84mm x 118mm
Stamp size: 71.4mm x 59.6mm
Paper: 110 gsm unwatermarked, PVA adhesiveIsle of Man Post Office’s recently published
Year Book features 86 stamps and four
miniature sheets, all issued during 2015,
together with insightful text and high
definition images adding context to each issue.
Limited to just 1,000 copies, the hard-
backed book features sixteen chapters
that range from the commemorative to
celebratory and includes Isle of Man Post
Office’s releases for the Women’s Institute
centenary, Chinese Year of the Sheep, the
seventieth anniversary of the Second World
War, Manx Buses, and Winston Churchill.
A spokesperson said: ‘During the year,
Isle of Man Post Office was especially proud
of its collaboration with Waterloo 200
to celebrate the bicentenary of this most
famous of the battles with the creation
of a set of eight special stamps and other
collectables depicting the main features of
the battle from both sides.
Another notable collection during theyear has been a set of
eight stamps, produced
to celebrate the long
reign of Queen Elizabeth
II, who on 9 September
at 5.30pm surpassed
her great grandmother
Queen Victoria to
become Britain’s longest
reigning monarch, the
stamps depicting some of the Queen’s most
important ceremonial occasions in Her
Majesty’s reign.’
Isle of Man’s stamp year also featured
images captured by the Isle of Man
Photographic Society of six of the world’s
most endangered species conserved at the
Island’s popular local attraction, Curraghs
Wildlife Park.
As collectors will know, 2015 also
marked the 175th anniversary of the Penny
Black, the world’s first adhesive stamp,and Isle of Man Post Office presented a
modern-day set of 175th anniversary Penny
Black stamps to mark this important date,
signifying the birth of the modern British
postal system.
The collectable, full colour hardback book
includes stamp mounts to accommodate
the complete mint collection for the year,
which is included, and the price of the book
reflects the total face value of the stamp
content. You can find out more about the
book at http://www.iompost.com/stamps-coinsA year of stamps
ISLE OF MAN
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