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.

APPEAL FOR PHOTOS & MEMORABILIA OF ROBIN GIBB DURING HIS ISLE OF MAN CHILDHOOD

Posted on April 3, 2013 by iomstampsnews

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 TO TAKE OVER THE REINS FROM DOT TILBURY

Posted on April 2, 2013 by iomstampsnews

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 Have A Guest!

Posted on March 12, 2013 by iomstampsnews

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!

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

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!

Miniature sheet reflects modern day Fire and Rescue Service

Posted on January 17, 2013 by iomstampsnews

IoM Fire & Rescue Service

Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service will be showcased in a miniature stamp sheet produced by Isle of Man Post Office early 2013.

Source: gov.im via Isle of Man on Pinterest

While fire fighting has traditionally been at the forefront of their work, the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service’s role has expanded considerably since its establishment in April 1965. Techniques, skills, equipment have been developed to enable an effective and professional response to a wide range of non-fire related incidents.

A miniature sheet to showcase their varying roles has been produced by Isle of Man Post Office and will be officially issued on the 20th February next year. The images on the sheet depict the service’s roles in the community from fire fighting, dealing with chemical incidents, road traffic collisions, mountain rescue, community safety and much more. The service’s three core objectives are preventing, protecting and responding with much of their work now focusing on how accidents and emergencies can be prevented from happening in the first place and if they do occur, how people can best protect themselves and others from the possible impact of such events.

Source: gov.im via Isle of Man on Pinterest

Brian Draper, Chief Fire Officer said: “The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service is delighted that the Post Office has chosen to commission a stamp issue depicting the varied and extensive remit of a modern, 21st Century Fire and Rescue Service. Here on the Island our Emergency Services deliver on a daily basis a wide range of prevention, protection and response activities and the Fire and Rescue Service is at the very forefront of such delivery. I hope this issue will appeal to both collectors and the general public alike as it provides just a little insight into the many ways we try to keep our Island a safe place in which to live, work and visit.”

Source: gov.im via Isle of Man on Pinterest

Dot Tilbury, General Manager Isle of Man Stamps & Coins said: “We are especially pleased to recognise the sterling work our Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service provides on a daily basis. We are immensely proud to have such a reliable, multi- skilled and experienced fire service and it’s fitting to mark their status with a miniature sheet.”

Please visit our website at www.iomstamps.com to find out more about the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service miniature sheet and products and to pre-order.