Robin Gibb Stamps – a ‘deeply moving’ tribute

Posted on April 25, 2013 by iomstampsnews

: Robin’s wife Dwina and son, Robin-John

Robin Gibb stamps – A ‘deeply moving’ tribute

The Isle of Man has paid a poignant tribute to one of its most famous Manxmen Robin Gibb CBE yesterday (Wednesday 24th April 2013).

A special launch was held at the childhood home of Robin Gibb and his Bee Gees brothers at 50 St Catherine’s Drive, Douglas in the Isle of Man.

Robin’s wife Dwina and son Robin-John travelled to the Island to celebrate the legendary singer and songwriter by unveiling an emotional postal tribute in which Robin features on a new set of stamps issued by Isle of Man Post Office. While the poignant tribute was unfurled among family, special guests and fans of Robin, the choir of BallakDwinermeen High School sang Ellan Vannin – the alternative Isle of Man national anthem which Robin had deep affection for.

Robin was born in the Isle of Man and was proud to call it his home despite also having lived in Manchester and Australia while growing up. On unveiling the stamps, his wife Dwina described the moment as “deeply moving and fantastic – I love the stamps’, indeed everyone present felt the family’s overwhelming emotion.

She said:

“It was very emotional seeing the enormous picture of Robin but I loved seeing it. Robin was so proud to be from the Isle of Man, he loved its ambience and its people and was always proud to be an ambassador for the Island. If he were here today he’d be immensely honoured to be recognised in this very special way.”

Robin Gibb Stamps – a blue plaque

During the launch, a blue plaque situated above the front door of 50 St Catherine’s Drive, organised by Douglas Borough Council, was also unveiled to officially mark the property as the childhood home of the Bee Gees who became world famous for their hits including ‘Night Fever’, Jive Talkin’, ‘How Deep is Your Love’ and ‘I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You’ to name just a few.

ROBIN GIBBS STAMPS - MT-TV INTERVIEW

Click the above picture to watch the Manx Telecom TV Interview with Dwina and Robin-John

Robin Gibb Stamps – Dot Tilbury interview

Dot Tilbury, General Manager of Isle of Man Stamps & Coins, said:

“Today has been immensely special for the Isle of Man. We are proud to say that Robin and his brothers were from the Island and indeed they have been great ambassadors ever since. The postal tribute has been our way of celebrating the life of Robin and his solo career which ties in with the posthumous release of his album entitled ‘50 St Catherine’s Drive’ due for release in the Autumn. In addition, royalties from the special charity stamp product are being donated by the Gibb family to Rebecca House, the Isle of Man children’s hospice which Robin and Dwina opened in 2008. Robin never forgot the Isle of Man and indeed the Isle of Man will never forget him and today has truly shown how deep the Island’s love for Robin is.”

Tribute to Robin Gibb CBE

Posted on April 10, 2013 by iomstampsnews

Robin Gibb Stamps and Sheets

Tribute to Robin Gibb CBE

The wonderfully colourful, fascinating and showbiz life of singer and songwriter Robin Gibb CBE is celebrated through a new set of stamps reflecting on this legendary Manxman and coincides with the posthumous release of Robin’s album ‘50 St Catherine’s Drive’ later this year.

Described as one of the best white soul voices ever, Robin Gibb is one of the Isle of Man’s most famous citizens. Although worldly known as a member of the Bee Gees along with his two brothers, Robin also carved an impressive solo career. Starting with Robin’s Reign in 1970, Robin created a distinctive body of work separate from the usually more famous Bee Gees recordings.

In the early 1980s, when the Bee Gees took a well-earned hiatus from group activity, Robin pursued his solo work with three more albums (How Old Are You?, Secret Agent and Walls Have Eyes). Award-winning director and producer David Leaf provides the accompanying text to this issue and describes Robin’s last piece of music – The Titanic Requiem, which was composed and created by Robin and his son Robin John. He says on hearing an advance copy of this monumental work he thought “if this was to be Robin’s last musical effort, it was one worthy of his legend.”

Spirit of Love - Tribute to Robin Gibb CBE

Robin will be remembered as a songwriter, a singer, an artist, a man whose slender physique was underscored by his immense determination, personal strength, courage and spirit of love. Robin’s voice was so unlike anything else that graced the radio, timeless and yet somehow, decade after decade, in tune with the times so that he made anything he sang simultaneously sound contemporary classic, epic and now, sadly mythic.

Throughout their career, nobody could figure out where the Bee Gees were from. Some fans were certain they were Australian. Others would say England. When asked, Robin never hesitated, he would answer sweetly and proudly that he was from the Isle of Man.

50 St Catherine’s Drive – Tribute to Robin Gib CBE

Robin’s last solo record, recorded in 2008/9 and due for release later this year, 50 St Catherine’s Drive was given that name by Robin to commemorate his first home on the Isle.

Please visit our website at www.iomstamps.com to find out more about Robin Gibb – 50 St Catherine’s Drive collection of stamps and products and to pre-order.

60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign

Posted on April 10, 2013 by iomstampsnews

Coronation of HM Queen Miniature Sheet

60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign

Marking her 60 years as Queen, Isle of Man Post Office is delighted to present this miniature sheet of one stamp to compliment the set of stamps recently issued.

Heralded as the dawn of a new Elizabeth era, the Queen’s Coronation was held on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London. Representatives of the peers, the Commons and all the great public interests in Britain, the Prime Ministers and leading citizens of the other Commonwealth countries and representatives of foreign states were present.

Television in the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign

For the first time, television coverage played a major role in bringing the royal spectacle into people’s homes. Over twenty million gathered some million television sets and the neighbours came in as well. Now it was possible to witness the actual crowning ceremony and the ritual anointment with holy oil and royal occasions have been broadcast ever since.

To mark the coronation, a vast range of weird and wonderful commemorative souvenirs were produced from mugs, decorated tins, jigsaw puzzles, embroidered tea towels, pictorial toilet soaps, aluminium tea pots to hair pin sets. But no historic occasion in history would be the same if we didn’t have such mementoes which when we look at them, take us back to that special time and bring the memories alive once again.

Significant changes in the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign

Throughout the reign of Queen Elizabeth II there have been some very significant changes with developments in technology bringing huge advances in science, medicine and computer and digital capabilities coming to fruition. There’s also been the introduction of package holidays through jet travel and the self-service supermarket offering frozen foods to microwave ready meals. Meanwhile, royal souvenirs continue to flourish with royal weddings and with silver, golden and diamond jubilees.

This miniature sheet compliments the set of stamps in this collection of the 60th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation issued in February – the perfect collectable for any fan of the Royal Family. Please visit our website at www.iomstamps.com to find out more.

Stampex

Posted on March 12, 2013 by iomstampsnews

We recently visited Stampex – check out our pics here!Did you go?

Isle of Man Constabulary Stamps MT TV Interview

Posted on February 11, 2013 by iomstampsnews

Isle of Man Constabulary Stamps Video

This video was released on MT TV about our IOM Constabulary 150th anniversary stamps! http://ow.ly/hBrE1

Stampex 2013

Posted on February 11, 2013 by iomstampsnews

Our very own Maxine Cannon has been interviewed by Collectors Club of Great Britain about Stampex 2013 http://ow.ly/hvs8u

Isle of Man Schools Chess Congress

Posted on February 11, 2013 by iomstampsnews

IOM Primary School Chess Congress

Why not order our recent Lewis Chessmen Stamps issue? Click here: http://ow.ly/hrppF

We recently visited the IOM Primary School’s Chess Congress, where we watched children competing against each other representing seven of the Island’s primary schools.

Harry Minor, chess coach for the Island’s schools said: “This year’s Chess Congress went very well. The children played some really good chess and were very well behaved. Next year I hope to see a few more members and to encourage some more girls to take part especially as there is a new trophy for the best girl player. I’d like to thank everyone involved and to the staff and parents for supporting and to Rushen School for hosting.”

As well as trophies for the winners and runner-up, Isle of Man Stamps & Coins kindly donated sets of the Chronicles of the Kings of Man & the Isles & the Lewis Chessmen stamps, first day covers and presentation packs as prizes.

Chinese Year of the Snake celebrated with miniature stamp sheet

Posted on January 29, 2013 by iomstampsnews

David Cheung

Isle of Man Post Office is pleased to present a miniature sheet of stamps to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Snake, which is issued to recognise our attendance at the China International Collection Expo to be held in Beijing later this year.

Chinese New Year is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. It is also known as the Spring Festival and celebrates the start of new life and the season for ploughing and sowing.

2013 is the year of the black Snake and begins on February 10, shortly after the new moon in Aquarius, the humanitarian of the Zodiac. The Snake is the sixth sign of the Chinese Zodiac which consists of 12 animal signs. It is the most enigmatic, intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the animal signs.

Chinese New Year festivities start on the first day of lunar month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. Before the start of the festivities, Chinese people spring clean their houses to sweep away any bad luck. On New Year’s Eve houses are decorated with paper scrolls with good luck phrases such as ‘Happiness’ and ‘Wealth.’ Families gather together for a large traditional meal. People will stay up till midnight setting off fireworks to frighten away evil spirits. Red symbolises fire which will scare aware evil spirits, so people dress head to foot in new red clothing. On New Year’s Day, children will wake up to find a red envelope filled with money and sweets under their pillows left by their parents and grandparents. Chinese New Year ends with the lantern festival on the fifteenth day of the month. The lanterns are often hand painted with scenes from history or legend.

On the Isle of Man many Chinese inhabitants will be closing their businesses to celebrate this special time of the year. David Cheung, owner of China Town on Douglas Promenade explains what Chinese New Year means to him and his family. “It’s a very special time. It’s the top celebration for family and friends being together and a time for many traditions such as spring cleaning before the New Year and picking a special flower to have in the house. This year my family and I will be celebrating the New Year in Hong Kong with close family.”

He added: “I very much like the new stamps, they are nice and colour. I’m delighted to see the Chinese New Year recognised by the Isle of Man Post Office.”

Please visit our website at www.iomstamps.com to find out more about The Year of the Snake 2013 collection of stamps and products and to pre-order.

Our Very Own Fashionista!

Posted on January 17, 2013 by iomstampsnews

Michael Starkey And Mirella

Designer of our Christmas 2012 stamps, Michael Starkey dropped in to see us today and revealed that he has branched out into fashion by designing a ‘Summerfruits’ fabric.

The original design was produced on board, digitally scanned and transferred to cotton print. Two dresses were then made by a lovely lady called Barbara.
One of the dresses has been auctioned for charity. Michael is hoping to interest designers or retailers in taking the fabric design into production.

The almost-unique dress is modelled by our very own IOM Stamps in-house model Mirella!

Isle of Man Constabulary to feature on stamp issue

Posted on January 16, 2013 by iomstampsnews

IoM Constabulary

A set of stamps have been unveiled which will mark the 150th anniversary of the Isle of Man Constabulary in 2013.

Recently Inspector Derek Flint and members of the Isle of Man Constabulary gathered for a photo presentation of the new stamps with Lucy Webster-Thompson of Isle of Man Post Office. The stamp issue illustrates the history of the Island’s police force from its formation in 1863, how much it has changed with each stamp featuring the modern day constabulary along with an image from a time gone by.

Isle of Man Constabulary protects the safety and livelihood of the residents of the Isle of Man on a daily basis and works to reduce crime and enhance the quality of life all island residents enjoy. During its existence there have been many milestones most notably a pay increase for all ranks implemented in 1947 along with the establishment of an Island Police Federation, the Island’s first police dog in the 1960s, the appointment of the first ever police woman in 1967 to the force increasing in size in the eighties and nineties.

Inspector Derek Flint, Media Officer, Isle of Man Constabulary said: “We feel immensely privileged to serve the Isle of Man and play our part in keeping it safe. To have our 150th anniversary commemorated in a stamp issue that will be seen the world over and enjoyed by collectors and recipients of mail alike, is in itself something to celebrate. We hope that the images from yesteryear, contrasted with the ones from more recent times, will illustrate how far we have come and how the finest traditions of the Island’s Constabulary remain at the forefront of what we do.”

Dot Tilbury, General Manager of Isle of Man Stamps & Coins, said: “The history of the Isle of Man Constabulary is fascinating, the force has evolved and changed so much not just in its size but advancements in technology have really changed the way it can operate, in terms of communication for example. 2013 will not only be their 150th anniversary but there will be another major significance – the appointment of Gary Roberts as the first Manx Chief Constable, a real completion to the force’s history to date.”

Please visit our website at www.iomstamps.com to find out more about the Isle of Man Constabulary 150th Anniversary collection of stamps and products and to pre-order.