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.”

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.

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.

New stamps have been issued that feature the most recognised symbol on the Isle of Man – the Three Legs of Man. This national emblem can be seen everywhere on the Island from buildings and monuments to chocolate bars and tattoos. But what is the origin of this unusual emblem, Isle of Man Post Office reveals all.

For upwards of a thousand years and probably more, the Three Legs of Man has been the symbol of Manxness yet the origin remains uncertain. In Ireland, stylistic spiral three legs were carved in stone in Neolithic times.

Throughout the world the mythology of threes has played a significant role, notably in India, China, Korea, ancient Greece and Rome – and among native North Americans. It should not be surprising therefore to note that the Manx Parliament consists of three divisions – the House of Keys, Legislative Council and Tynwald. Nor the fact that the ancient open-air Tynwald ceremony at St John’s used to occur to greet the rising sun on Midsummer’s Day. The three-legged symbol, which indicated rotary movement, was regarded as representing the three-spoked wheel of the sun god’s chariot as it crossed the sky.

The Three Legs of Man is often known as the triskele and throughout the Island it can be found in a variety of places however not always consistently the same. Some turn correctly to the right, others the left; some kneel as if acknowledging the supremacy of nearby England or Scotland and some are on tip toe, implying fleetness of foot.

A Latin motto accompanies the Island’s Three Legs of Man ‘Quocunque Jeceris Stabit’ which emphasises the Island’s resilience. Translations have varied – Wheresoever you cast it, it will find its feet or Whithersoever you throw it, it will stand, but the meaning has remained clear: no matter how ‘storm-tossed’ the Island might be, it can survive.

Look out for a competition coming very soon on the Isle of Man Stamps & Coins Facebook page where you can take part in a quiz to try and identify the locations of the Three Legs of Man emblems which feature on the new stamps. The winner will receive a bumper gift pack of this colourful issue.

Please visit our website at www.iomstamps.com to find out more about the Three Legs of Man collection of stamps and products and to order.

Do you have photographs, memorabilia or memories of Robin Gibb CBE living in the Isle of Man during his early childhood? If so, Isle of Man Post Office would like to hear from you.

Next month a set of eight new stamps will be issued which reflect the legendary solo career of Robin Gibb CBE. As part of the launch of the issue, Isle of Man Post Office would like to collate photos and any memorabilia Islanders may have of one of the Isle of Man’s most famous citizens.

Dot Tilbury, General Manager of Isle of Man Stamps & Coins, said: “I’m sure there are
some people who remember the Gibbs living in their home on the Island at 50 St Catherine’s Drive in the early 1950s. We would love to find any photographs from this time which would add an extra something special to this stamp issue and hear first-hand memories from this bygone time. If you have something to contribute, please contact us before 10th April.”

Anyone who can help with this appeal for photos and memorabilia of Robin Gibb CBE should contact Lucy Webster-Thompson on 698492 or email lucy.webster-thompson@iompost.com

Maxine Cannon 

Isle of Man Post Office is delighted to announce the appointment of Maxine Cannon as General Manager of Isle of Man Stamps & Coins from April 2. Maxine will take over from Dot Tilbury who retires from the role in May.

Maxine joined Isle of Man Post Office in 1981 and has worked in Stamps & Coins throughout this time, latterly as Sales and Marketing Manager. She has extensive expertise in the Stamps & Coins business and will bring enormous enthusiasm to her new role. Maxine’s intention is to build on the achievements of Isle of Man Stamps & Coins, gained over the past 15 years through Dot Tilbury’s leadership.

On her forthcoming appointment Maxine said: “I’m grateful to my colleagues past and present in all areas of the business and at every level for their help, advice and good humour over the years, which has enabled me to reach this stage in my career and for making it possible to follow on from Dot.”
She added: “As we move past our 40th anniversary milestone, knowing that Isle of Man Stamps and Coins has the support of a worldwide customer base and an extensive network of top ranking suppliers, researchers and contributors, both on and off Island, gives me great confidence for the future.”
Dot Tilbury has headed up the division for the last 15 years and has been instrumental in producing creative and topical stamp issues which have been seen around the world. Dot has been with the business since 1975, giving 38 years of loyal and dedicated service to Isle of Man Post Office. She will retire in May, allowing for a smooth transition of responsibilities to Maxine.

Dot Tilbury & Sir Paul Smith

Dot Tilbury said: “I can honestly say that I have had the best job in the world as Manager of Isle of Man Stamps & Coins. However, none of that would have been possible without Maxine’s invaluable knowledge and assistance. I am so delighted she is to take over the reins and that with the support of the wonderful team in the Department, she will ensure that Isle of Man Stamps and Coins will continue to be successful.”

Mike Kelly

Mike Kelly, Chief Executive, Isle of Man Post Office described Dot’s retirement as an end of an era and Maxine’s appointment as a new chapter for Isle of Man Stamps & Coins.

He said: “We are enormously grateful for the all that Dot has contributed towards the success of Isle of Man Stamps & Coins over the years and we are confident that Maxine is the best person to take the business forward to build on those successes.”

We are happy to have a guest worker here in IOM Stamps for the next two weeks! Iris Green, Post Mistress of Tristan da Cunha (a remote volcanic group of islands in the south Atlantic Ocean), is working with us to build on her experience and learn new skills!

Coronation of HM Queen by Isle of Man Post Office

Click on the image to watch the video

Mirella of Isle of Man Stamps & Coins presents to you a set of stamps to mark the sixtieth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth the Second at Westminster Abbey. A range of philatelic collectables are available and perfect for the collector of British Monarchy memorabilia.

Isle of Man Constabulary to feature on stamps

Click on image to view video!

Lucy Webster-Thompson of Isle of Man Post Office chats to Inspector Derek Flint of the Isle of Man Constabulary about the new stamps issued to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Island’s police force.