60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign

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 celebrate our nationality

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.

Stampex

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

 

Isle of Man Schools Chess Congress

 

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.

A Celebration of Coronation Commemoratives

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.

Isle of Man Post Shop Christmas Comp – First Week Winners

Our First Week Post Office Christmas Comp Winners 2012 – Mr & Mrs Tomlinson

Our first post shop Christmas competition winners last week were Christine and David Tomlinson, of Douglas.

They were presented with their £50 worth of postage by Dot Tilbury, General Manager, Isle of Man Stamps & Coins at Isle of Man Stamps & Coins HQ.

On winning David Tomlinson said: “It was a very pleasant surprise to be told we had won live on Manx Radio. To win £50 worth of postage is particularly pleasing at Christmas as we do send a lot of cards, so the prize will be well used.”

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

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.

Enduro star David Knight MBE features on new 50p coin

David Knight & Dot Tilbury

Four times World Enduro Motorcycle Champion and Manx motorcyclist David Knight MBE features on a new Isle of Man 50p coin.

Click here to watch our exclusive video with David Knight talking about the coin to Dot Tilbury.

The coin was launched at Postal Headquarters with a visit from David Knight and his Enduro motorcycle. The legal tender 50p coin is presented in a fantastic special pack featuring a genuine piece of ‘knobbly’ tyre supplied to Isle of Man Post Office by David himself – both items are safely encapsulated in a clear vacuum.

David, who was born and bred in the Isle of Man, has been World Enduro Champion four times and the coin shows him on his Enduro Motorcycle. The main objective of the sport is to arrive at different check points at a designated time over courses that are, typically, over thick wooded terrain including large obstacles such as logs, ditches and perilous sudden drops – to be World Champion requires instinctive bike handling skills, courage and years of dedication.

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Commenting on the coin David Knight said: “I feel very proud to be on a Manx coin and have my motorcycle achievements recognised, it’s a big honour. I will be carrying a few of these coins in my pocket to the rounds next year in the hope they will bring me some luck!

The collectable coin pack contains the story of David’s career to date along with images of the motorcycling star. It is priced just £15 and will make a perfect present for any sporting fan this Christmas. You can buy it online at www.iomstamps.com or visit Regent Street Post Shop, Douglas.

Lovely Words!

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Wow, lovely words about our Lewis Chessman Stamps from Robert M E Paterson, The Bishop of Sodor and Man! How kind of him, we are very proud! 🙂

“I am delighted to see the 80p stamp with the figure of one of my predecessors on it – a Bishop of Sodor and Man from the twelfth century ‘Lewis Chessmen’. The Isle of Man Post should be congratulated on commissioning such an interesting, evocative and attractive set of stamps.

Robert Sodor as Mannin.

The Rt Revd Robert M E Paterson, Bishop of Sodor and Man”

Click HERE to order the stamps

www.iomstamps.com

David Knight Coin

Our very own Dot Tilbury was recently interviewed for Manx TelecomTV by Paul Moulton with Four times Enduro Motorcyle World Champion David Knight. Thanks to Isle of Man Stamps & Coins, David is getting his own 50p Manx coin along with a piece of ‘knobbly’ tyre!

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Click the Image To Order