A Celebration of Coronation Commemoratives

Posted on January 14, 2013 by iomstampsnews

Alex Downie OBE MLC

A new set of stamps to mark the sixtieth anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen’s coronation will be issued next month.

For generations, commemorative souvenirs to mark the coronations of British monarchs ranging from medals, china or pottery drinking mugs, badges etc have been produced as treasured keep-sakes of these landmark occasions in British history. No doubt grand celebrations are sure to be repeated in 2013, the year that marks the sovereign’s diamond anniversary of her crowning country and will also be celebrated with new commemorative items. Pictured above is Alex Downie OBE MLC who has been a collector of coronation items for over 40 years and whose memorabilia features in some of the artwork within the overall stamp issue.

Commemorative souvenirs date back from the coronation of Queen Victoria through to our present monarch. They were and remain, remembrances of times when procession, pageants, firework displays, street parties and sports celebrated the coronation of a new King or Queen. Some could be bought while others were ‘awarded’ to young people, to be kept as a reminder of events that were high points in their lives.

Probably the shortest-lived royal souvenir in the Isle of Man was a replica of the St Edward’s coronation crown. It was made of 1200 lbs of confectionery rock and was eaten by schoolchildren on the day it had been made to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Known as the ‘Crown of Sugar’, it was exhibited for a short time in the front window of its maker, Johnson and Co. Then on Jubilee Day it was smashed into easily sucked pieces. Tickets were issued to children and they exchanged these at the shop for five-ounce bags of pieces.

There have been many other notable souvenirs including coloured souvenir postcards in 1902 to mark the coronation of King Edward VII, medals and flags. By the time of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II there were scores of commercial souvenirs. These ranged from men’s tie pins to royal-crested handbags. Virtually anything was packed decoratively, even pencils and paint boxes for children and tinned biscuits and chocolates. Only time will tell what this year’s coronation souvenirs will be!

Please visit our website at www.iomstamps.com to find out more about The Coronation of HM Queen 1953- 2013 collection of stamps and products and to pre-order.

Miniature sheet celebrates Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

Posted on May 31, 2012 by iomstampsnews

The Thames will be brought alive this weekend with clanging bells, tooting horns and piercing whistles and recalling both its Royal heritage and its heyday as a working river. When the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant takes place, it will showcase one of the largest flotillas ever assembled on the Thames and the biggest collection of historic vessels.

As crowds of Londoners and tourists will line the route to catch a glimpse of the Queen, they will see more than 1,000 vessels including Dunkirk little ships, Dragon boats, Narrow boats, steam boats and tugs, towing boats, kayaks and canoes from all corners of the Commonwealth. Among them will be two Manx vessels; a lifeboat from the historic Lady of Mann ship (the last vessel present at Dunkirk to survive), now converted as a cabin cruiser and Vital Spark – one of four replica Viking longboats built to be used in the annual world championship Viking longboat races, held in Peel, Isle of Man. Both vessels have significant stories behind them and will play their part in one of the biggest occasions the UK will see this year. At the centre of the pageant will be the Royal Barge, the Spirit of Chartwell, decorated in red and gold and carrying the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, who is now Lord High Admiral in the Royal Navy.

The armed forces, fire, police and rescue services will be represented and passenger boats, carrying up to 30,000 flag-waving members of the public will take part in the floating celebrations of the Queen’s 60 years on the throne.

This magnificent miniature sheet, approved by the Queen, will capture the essence of the day’s atmosphere and better still, as a licensed product, a percentage of the sale of every miniature sheet will go to the Thames Diamond Jubilee Foundation, the charitable trust set-up to raise funds for charitable projects through The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.

For more information about this miniature sheet and related Queen’s Diamond Jubilee products, please click here or alternatively visit our Press page

IOM Stamps London 2012 Olympic Games Stamp Collection

Posted on December 20, 2011 by iomstampsnews

IOM Stamps/Sir Paul Smith London 2012 Olympic Games Stamp Collection

We are extremely proud and excited to announce our brand new major stamp issue for 2012 – our London 2012 Olympic Stamp collection!

IOM Stamps/Sir Paul Smith London 2012 Olympic Games Stamp Collection

This beautiful bespoke collection has been exclusively designed for us by the legendary fashion designer, Sir Paul Smith and features contributions by none other than both Sir Paul’s and Isle Of Man Stamps & Coins good friend, the current world champion Cyclist, Mr Mark Cavendish MBE.

Mark Cavendish MBE And Sir Paul Smith

The collection will be launched at one minute past midnight on New Years Eve at the head Post Office in Douglas, Isle of Man. The collection is available for pre-order NOW from here with dispatches going out from 3rd Jan 2012.