Isle of Man Post Office Wins International Business Of The Year Award

Posted on November 16, 2012 by iomstampsnews

At a glittering ceremony in the Villa Marina last night (Thursday), Isle of Man Post Office won the coveted International business of the year award at the 2012 Awards for Excellence.

Commenting on the award Mike Kelly, Chief Executive of Isle of Man Post Office said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won such a highly sought after award. This reward is in recognition of our commitment to creating an innovative diversification strategy, helping the business to thrive when traditional services and mail volumes are in decline.

Over the last number of years we have grown significantly, particularly with the introduction of Integrated Mailing Solutions (IMS), our specialist business communications division. We have evolved to be able to offer clients based locally and internationally physical and digital mail services which has not only contributed significant financial reward, but has placed Isle of Man Post Office on the map as one of the most up and coming innovative Posts in the world.”

He added: “One of our long-term strategies is to take our trusted third party into the secure electronic communications market. We launched our first digital mail product, „ePostbox‟, this year which is available to clients globally. Customers can for the very first time, receive their postal mail online, anywhere in the world 24/7. We also have an exciting product that will be launched next year, complementing our existing mailing services.”

None of this success would have been possible without the dedicated, loyal and hard working team that makes Isle of Man Post Office.

Mike continued: “We are proud to have some of the longest serving employees on the Island with a very low staff turnover and none of this success would be possible without everyone‟s hard work and dedication in making Isle of Man Post Office so successful. This is a great place to work and we are so fortunate to have not only a heritage of experience and skills but also great creativity and innovation within the business. We strive to ensure this continues now and into the future.

“I would like to thank all our customers, partners, suppliers and Isle of Man Government as our principle stakeholder, indeed everyone associated with us for their support. Each has contributed to making the business so successful and continuing these partnerships will help secure our sustainability into the future. This is a very exciting time for the Post Office as we continue to expand our global client base. However, we remain committed to our Isle of Man based customers and we will continue to play a vital role in the local community.”

Further success was celebrated on the night as Dot Tilbury, General Manager for Isle of Man Stamps and Coins, won the highly coveted “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Dot has worked for the Post Office for 37 years and has built a worldwide reputation for the Stamps and Coins division for producing innovative, high quality and topical stamp issues. Dot received this award for her dedication and tireless work in the community; she is particularly well-known for her involvement in children‟s cycling.

Mike said: “Everyone at the Post Office is delighted that Dot‟s community work has been recognised with this award. She is a key member of the senior management team at the Post Office and we are all thrilled for her. The award to Dot turned the evening into a fantastic night and magnificent double celebration.”

Hosted by Isle of Man Newspapers, the Awards for Excellence is a celebration of the Island‟s success from the business sector, the local community to individuals such as young achiever of the year, volunteer of the year to the prestigious lifetime achievement award.

Gold medallist Peter Kennaugh Exclusive Signing 23/09/2012, Sea Terminal, Douglas, Isle of Man,11.00am – 12.00pm

Posted on September 20, 2012 by iomstampsnews

London 2012 Olympic Games Gold medallist Peter Kennaugh will be exclusively signing limited edition Gold Medal Winners Stamp Sheets, which will be on sale at the Sea Terminal, this Sunday (September 23) between 11.00am and 12.00pm through the Isle of Man Post Office.

Fans of the Manx-born Olympic cyclist will have a unique opportunity to meet their sporting hero and get a piece of history signed as in celebration of the success of Peter and his team mates Steven Burke, Edward Clancy and Geraint Thomas in the Men’s Team Pursuit last month, Isle of Man Post Office has produced a Gold Medal Winners Sheet in a limited edition of 2012 only.

The sheet features the cycling stamps of Isle of Man Post Office’s London 2012 Olympic Games stamp issue, designed by world-renowned fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, along with images of Peter and his team mates taking part in the dramatic race which saw the Great Britain team set a new world record time of 03:51.659.

Peter became the first Manx-born Olympic Champion to win an Olympic gold medal since Sidney Swann, who was part of Great Britain’s rowing eights team at the 1912 Games in Stockholm.

Dot Tilbury, General Manager Isle of Man Stamps & Coins said: “We are delighted Peter is able to do an exclusive signing of Gold Medal Winners Stamp Sheets for us this Sunday. It’s the ideal opportunity for people to meet our Manx cycling hero and get his autograph at the same time. Peter will be available for just one hour only from 11am till midday in the Sea Terminal, Douglas, so don’t miss out. The Isle of Man is immensely proud of Peter’s achievement and I’m sure crowds of people will come along to congratulate him especially as the event coincides with Shoprite’s Cycle for Life charity event which is based at the Sea Terminal on Sunday and is always a marvellous event.”

*The signing will go ahead even if the Cycle for Life should be cancelled due to bad weather.

Limited edition Gold Medal Winners Sheets, just 2012 copies, can be purchased at the Sea Terminal on Sunday morning priced £10 each or in advance from Regent Street Post Office, Douglas or online at www.iomstamps.com

Peter Kennaugh Returns Home After Olympic Glory!

Posted on August 4, 2012 by iomstampsnews

We couldn’t be any prouder! Click on the image to see the the MT TV Video article!

A Royal Request For Isle Of Man Stamps & Coins!

Posted on May 24, 2012 by iomstampsnews

Personal copies of the special commemorative first day cover for HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have been requested by Clarence House, following the couple’s royal visit to the Isle of Man last month.

To mark the prestigious visit which was part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Isle of Man Post Office produced a special commemorative cover. It featured the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee stamps and captured the essence of the day with a selection of photographs featured on a filler card with text.

Dot Tilbury, General Manager Isle of Man Stamps & Coins said: “We worked closely with Clarence House ahead of the visit to arrange permissions to have a photographer follow the couple during their whistle-stop tour, so we could obtain the variety of images we needed to produce the special cover. We sent a cover to Clarence House so they could see the final product and we were delighted to be contacted by them asking for copies for Prince Charles & the Duchess of Cornwall. This is fantastic feedback and we very much hope that Their Royal Highnesses will be pleased with the cover and that it will be a lasting memory of their trip to the Isle of Man.”

The first day commemorative cover is still available to buy at the price of £10 (ref number QB96). Please click HERE to find out more about our Jubilee stamps and products.

Look Who Loves Our London 2012 Paul Smith Olympic Stamps!

Posted on March 23, 2012 by iomstampsnews

Lord Sebastian Coe - chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.Exclusive picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

Look who’s a fan of our London 2012 Olympic Games Stamps by Sir Paul Smtih…Lord Sebastian Coe! Lord Coe was kind enough to pose for us and sign some of our stamps for us.What a gent!

LORD COE AUTOGRAPHS IOM OLYMPIC “RUNNERS” STAMP

By Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

Lord Seb Coe, the world-famous Great Britain middle-distance runner, and Chair of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, has autographed a sheetlet of the superb IOM £1 “runners” 2012 Olympic Games stamp, designed by Sir Paul Smith.

Seb Coe, who headed the Olympic bid to bring the 2012 Summer Olympics to London, won the 1500m gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games and successfully and mesmerisingly defended his title four years later at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, also agreed to be photographed holding the IOM stamps.

Lord Coe, a former conservative MP, and Sir Craig Reedie, IOC Member, are both members of the East India Club in London and had spoken and answered questions together with Sir Keith Mills, Deputy Chair of LOCOG, after a recent “London 2012” dinner for members and their guests.

A range of penetrating and discerning questions were all answered with candour and sparkle but under strict “Chatham House” rules, meaning that nothing may be divulged. Such was the enthusiasm of the distinguished trio answering questions that the event did not finish until after 11pm, an hour way beyond Club custom. The exclusive photograph I was able to take shows Lord Coe holding the IOM stamps as he left his club.

The Olympic story began in February 1894 when the father of the modern Olympic movement, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, visited England as a guest of Sports Club president, Sir John Astley. He had come to England to gather support to re-launch the Olympic Games. Among the people he talked to were the Prince of Wales, Lord Desborough, founder of the British Olympic Association, the Rt Hon Arthur Balfour, the future Prime Minister, and Charles Herbert, Secretary of the Amateur Athletics Association, who helped to design the Olympic track and field programme.

A dinner was held at the Sports Club, (now part of today’s East India Club) in what would be Coubertin’s last planning meeting before the Sorbonne conference in June 1894, where the International Olympic Committee was officially established. From those early beginnings to the present day, the East India Club has retained its connections with the IOC. What a very fitting venue for Lord Coe to autograph this splendid sheet of IOM 2012 Olympic stamps!

Our London 2012 Olympic Games stamps by Sir Paul Smith as signed by Lord Sebastian Coe!Exclusive picture by Peter Jennings FRPSL, FRGS

How To Enter Our Diamond Jubilee Facebook Competition!

Posted on February 8, 2012 by iomstampsnews

Hi everyone,

We are very happy to announce that on Monday 6th Feb we launched our very first Facebook ad campaign and competition!

In exchange for your “Like” we are offering you the chance to enter in to a prize draw to win £100 worth of our Diamond Jubilee collection which was released on Monday.

Please see instructions below on how to enter:

Go to our Facebook page. If you are NOT yet a fan you will initially see this image below, if you ARE it should take you to the second image:

Facebooking Diamond Jubilee Comp Landing Page 1

Click “like”
It will take you to another image – please see below:

Diamon Jubilee Facebook Landing Page 2

When you get to the above image – click on the banner at the top which says “Click Here to Enter Our Royal Competition” – it will take you to a page titled “Enter Diamond Jubilee Comp Here!” This is where you can enter all your contact details.
Our Competition Terms & Conditions can be found on our “Info” tab found on the page
Once details have been written -simply click “submit”
All finished! Easy peasy! After that why not have a nosey on our Facebook page and join in the conversation with us and your fellow fans?

The final entry time for the comp is 11.59pm GMT on Monday 13th Feb. The winner will drawn and announced anytime from Tuesday 14th Feb onwards!

Good luck everyone, speak soon and we hope you enjoy our Facebook page!

The Island Meets The City

Posted on January 30, 2012 by iomstampsnews

The Island Meets City - L to R Dot Tilbury, Chief Minister Allan Bell, Lord Mayor Alderman David Wootton and Geoff Corkish MHK.

During his recent visit to the Island, to promote good relations between the Isle of Man and the City of London, Lord Mayor Alderman David Wootton met with IOM Stamps & Coins Manager Dot Tilbury, Chief Minister Alan Bell and Geoff Corkish MHK (Chairman of the IOM Post Office).
The Lord Mayor believed the partnership between the Isle of Man and the City would be crucial in helping to create wealth and economic well-being. For the UK and the City he shared Chief Minister Allan Bell’s vision for the Isle of Man of maintaining a prosperous and caring society based on fairness, opportunity for all, social cohesion and quality of life.

‘We are both small in size – but punch well above our weight in the global economy. We can be justly proud of the standards and governance we demand. And we are also well placed and well able to meet the challenges of the future – and play our part in creating jobs and growth.’

We, at IOM Stamps & Coins, feel that we “punch well above our weight” in the global stamp world and were pleased to present Alderman Wootton with a framed collection of our London 2012 Olympic Games stamps designed by Sir Paul Smith. He received the collection enthusiastically, praising their high quality of design and print and his belief that they stood a very good chance of being the best Olympic product of the year!

An overview – Isle Of Man Stamps And Coins London 2012 Olympic Collection by Sir Paul Smith

Posted on January 24, 2012 by iomstampsnews

JavaScript required to play An overview – Isle Of Man Stamps And Coins London 2012 Olympic Collection by Sir Paul Smith.

Our Paul Smith Olympic stamp issue contains a mini sheet presentation pack which has a cycling themed £3 stamp, a history of the Olympic Games, a brief history of Sir Paul Smith and an item on Mark Cavendish. Reference code number is QA42 and it retails at £3.75.

Our presentation pack contains seven values of all Olympic stamps, a history of the Olympic Games, a brief history of Sir Paul Smith and full technical details and it’s all contained in a beautiful silver folder, product reference QA41, £5.67.

Our mini sheet first day cover comes in a beautiful gold envelope, containing information on the London Olympics, on Sir Paul Smith and Mark Cavendish – QA92, £3.70.

Our first day cover comes in a beautiful envelope stamped with with the date of the first day of issue (1st January 2012). A stamps collectors ESSENTIAL. Inside contains a history of the Olympic Games and a write up on the designer, Sir Paul Smith MBE, reference code QA91 – £5.62.

Our souvenir sheetlet incorporates two full sets of stamps – ideal for framing. Reference number QA64 – £9.84.

Our stampcard set – a beautifully printed set of eight full color postcards includes a pre-paid world wide stamp on reverse. Product reference number QA27 £6.08.

There is free delivery worldwide on ALL orders over £7.50 and you can buy these on iomstamps.com

Isle Of Man Stamps & Coins Presents Sir Paul Smith London 2012 Olympic Games Special Collector’s Book

Posted on January 23, 2012 by iomstampsnews

JavaScript required to play Isle Of Man Stamps & Coins Presents Sir Paul Smith London 2012 Olympic Games Special Collector’s Book.

The Isle Of Man Post Office is pleased to present a most prestigious issue, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games. Designed by the iconic fashion designer, Sir Paul Smith. The collection is inspired by Paul’s passion for cycling and the Olympic legacy. He has designed this beautiful compendium of stamps and postcards for the Isle of Man Post Office to commemorate the London 2012 Olympic Games. This hardback book includes images and text by Sir Paul Smith with contributions from Mark Cavendish MBE and David Brailsford CBE. It incorporates sets of eight pre-paid postcards and eight gummed full-page stamp sheets set in to the pages. The book is printed in full-color and measures 210 x 210mm.

The Special Collector’s Book, product code referent QA43 is available from iomstamps.com at a retail price of £50.00 (free global postage and shipping on any product over £7.50)

William Hoggatt – Almost a Manxman

Posted on January 18, 2012 by iomstampsnews

Hoggatt Set

The issue date for this collection is Feb 20th 2012.You can now pre order the collection here. Please see the terms and conditions for pre ordering here. The collection will be available to order on our eBay Store from Monday 13th February 2012. Please also note that items will be dispatched from the issue date onwards. The Isle of Man Post Office is pleased to present a set of five stamps which feature the artwork of William Hoggatt (1879 – 1961). Alan Kelly of Mannin Collections writes: William Hoggatt was born 1st September 1879 at 10 Garnett Street, Lancaster, son of James Hoggatt, a joiner, and Margaret Ann Hoggatt née Stalker. Hoggatt was educated in Lancaster, where his artistic talent won him a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, London, which he declined on the grounds that ‘he wanted to work freely’. He then worked as an apprentice for a local firm of stained-glass manufacturers, but also continued his art studies at the Storey Institute, Lancaster. Whilst there Herbert L. Storey, the son of the founder of the Institute, noticed the quality of Hoggatt’s work and paid for him to study art at the L’Academie Julian, Paris, from 1901-1903, under Jean Paul Laurens.

Hoggatt First Day Cover

On his return to England, Hoggatt rented a cottage at Caton, near Lancaster, and started to paint full-time. In 1906 he worked for a period of time at the Tate Gallery, London, and whilst there met a young man called Leonard Archer who invited Hoggatt to stay at his home at Chalfont St. Giles. It was there he met Leonard’s sister, Dazine, and by the time Hoggatt left she had agreed to marry him. Both their parents were opposed to the intended marriage so the couple decided to elope to the Isle of Man – a place Hoggatt had heard much about in Lancaster. Early in 1907 he arrived in the Island and moved into ‘Glendown’, Port St. Mary. He then sent for Dazine and shortly after her arrival they were married on 20th April, 1907 at Kirk Christ, Rushen.

Hoggatt Stamp Sheet

Working in oils, watercolours and pastels Hoggatt spent the next fifty-four years painting scenes throughout the Island. He exhibited from 1904 at the Royal Academy, Royal Institute, Royal Cambrian Academy, Glasgow Institute and at many other art institutions, including overseas. In 1925 he was elected a full member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours and was later a member of the Liverpool Academy and the Royal British Colonial Society of Artists. His first one-man exhibition was held at the Hampstead Art Gallery, London in 1920 entitled Tone Harmonies and contained sixty of his paintings of the Island. Most of the pictures were sold at the exhibition, including six which were purchased by a collector from South Africa. After this exhibition Hoggatt started to receive the recognition he deserved and his work was reproduced in all the leading art journals, including The Studio and The Connoisseur. The Studio magazine said of him – ‘William Hoggatt has chosen the artistic solitude of an Island full of natural beauty. His work shows a constant passionate striving for the wonders of light, colour, texture and the whole overpowering poetry of landscape’.