As usual, a week before the date we had been advised that we would be able to reveal details of the Christmas stamps, Royal Mail have made them available for pre-order on their online shop so that everyone can see them.
For some reason the set is not yet displayed as a set, although all the designs are there on the miniature sheet, Generic Sheet, some on the Stamp Cards, and the Presentation Pack.
Update 1 November:
As the individual stamps are now shown on the website for the Post Office blog, I see no reason not to show them here with the descriptions used by PO.
1st class: The first of these impactful stamp designs depicts Mary holding baby Jesus amongst a warm amber and orange tinted background glow.
2nd class: We see a contrast in colour in the next of these designs, as the scene is dominated by a cool blue background glow with imagery featuring an angel flying amongst a sky littered with stars. Another bright shining star is present here and is a prevalent theme amongst these stamps, with the star here projecting a calming light around those who are featured in this scene.
£1.35 A golden glow engulfs this next design, with Joseph seen to be travelling across the open sands towards a nearby town whilst carrying his walking staff. More focus is put onto the main shining star here, as many of the other stars in the background of the scene blend in as if they have been scattered amongst the rich golden background.
£1.55 A slightly brighter gold has been used for this particular design, as an effect almost akin to a vignette has been used to in order to draw attention to baby Jesus asleep among layers of hay. The scene also contains a few animals who are close by and watching baby Jesus, providing a sense of warmth and protection that the animals offer him as he soundly sleeps.
£1.60 We can tell from this design that the scene being retold is one of the Shepherds paying attention to and then attempting to follow the bright shining star in the nearby distance. A flock of sheep can also be seen looking on into the sky, albeit in a silhouette form, as a green glow covers the scene to evoke a sense of mystery and great wonder.
£2.30 Lastly, the scene featured in this stamp design is the recognizable presence of the Three Wise Men, who are basked in a purple glow whilst holding out their gifts to present to baby Jesus. Adorning uniquely decorated cloaks, this design captures the beginning of the journey of the Three Wise Men as they travel across great stretches of land in order to reach the stables where Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus are sheltered.
The stamps have been created by the talented duo and paper-cut artists Hari & Deepti. Based on a collaboration of paper-art and light, their work this year brings to life the magical story of the Nativity with imaginative story-telling and intricate detail.
2nd, 1st, 2nd Large, 1st Large, £1.35, £1.55, £1.60 and £2.30
Products available from Royal Mail
Mint set, miniature sheet, presentation pack, stamp cards, 2 x First Day Covers.
Retail booklets of 12 x 2nd and 12 x 1st (the barcodes are not shown):
The Generic Sheet..
... contains 8 x 2nd, 8 x 1st, and one each of the £1.35, £1.55, £1.60 & £2.30 stamps and labels, complete with illustrated, starry background and a quote from The King James Bible. The price is £18.40 and the stamps will not be available in the now non-existent Smilers service.
No technical details have been provided; the sheet is probably printed by ISP Cartor in litho on self-adhesive paper.
2020 Programme
As you will recall from previous years, an outline of next year's programme is likely to appear between Christmas and New Year or just into 2020. But we have an inkling of the likely cost, as Royal Mail's online shop already has subscriptions set up as follows:
Special Stamps Gift Subscription - £150.50
Presentation Pack Gift Subscription - £162.55
First Day Cover Gift Subscription - £194.30
Start Saving!
For some reason the set is not yet displayed as a set, although all the designs are there on the miniature sheet, Generic Sheet, some on the Stamp Cards, and the Presentation Pack.
Update 1 November:
As the individual stamps are now shown on the website for the Post Office blog, I see no reason not to show them here with the descriptions used by PO.
1st class: The first of these impactful stamp designs depicts Mary holding baby Jesus amongst a warm amber and orange tinted background glow.
2nd class: We see a contrast in colour in the next of these designs, as the scene is dominated by a cool blue background glow with imagery featuring an angel flying amongst a sky littered with stars. Another bright shining star is present here and is a prevalent theme amongst these stamps, with the star here projecting a calming light around those who are featured in this scene.
£1.35 A golden glow engulfs this next design, with Joseph seen to be travelling across the open sands towards a nearby town whilst carrying his walking staff. More focus is put onto the main shining star here, as many of the other stars in the background of the scene blend in as if they have been scattered amongst the rich golden background.
£1.55 A slightly brighter gold has been used for this particular design, as an effect almost akin to a vignette has been used to in order to draw attention to baby Jesus asleep among layers of hay. The scene also contains a few animals who are close by and watching baby Jesus, providing a sense of warmth and protection that the animals offer him as he soundly sleeps.
£1.60 We can tell from this design that the scene being retold is one of the Shepherds paying attention to and then attempting to follow the bright shining star in the nearby distance. A flock of sheep can also be seen looking on into the sky, albeit in a silhouette form, as a green glow covers the scene to evoke a sense of mystery and great wonder.
£2.30 Lastly, the scene featured in this stamp design is the recognizable presence of the Three Wise Men, who are basked in a purple glow whilst holding out their gifts to present to baby Jesus. Adorning uniquely decorated cloaks, this design captures the beginning of the journey of the Three Wise Men as they travel across great stretches of land in order to reach the stables where Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus are sheltered.
The stamps have been created by the talented duo and paper-cut artists Hari & Deepti. Based on a collaboration of paper-art and light, their work this year brings to life the magical story of the Nativity with imaginative story-telling and intricate detail.
The self-adhesive stamps and PVA-gummed miniaure sheet designed by Charlie Smith Design are printed in gravure by ISP Walsall, size 14 x 28mm and 34 x 28mm (Large). The stamps are printed in sheets of 50.
Products available from Royal Mail
Mint set, miniature sheet, presentation pack, stamp cards, 2 x First Day Covers.
Retail booklets of 12 x 2nd and 12 x 1st (the barcodes are not shown):
The Generic Sheet..
... contains 8 x 2nd, 8 x 1st, and one each of the £1.35, £1.55, £1.60 & £2.30 stamps and labels, complete with illustrated, starry background and a quote from The King James Bible. The price is £18.40 and the stamps will not be available in the now non-existent Smilers service.
No technical details have been provided; the sheet is probably printed by ISP Cartor in litho on self-adhesive paper.
2020 Programme
As you will recall from previous years, an outline of next year's programme is likely to appear between Christmas and New Year or just into 2020. But we have an inkling of the likely cost, as Royal Mail's online shop already has subscriptions set up as follows:
Special Stamps Gift Subscription - £150.50
Presentation Pack Gift Subscription - £162.55
First Day Cover Gift Subscription - £194.30
Start Saving!
Received leaflets through post today for this set and the yearpack. The Apollo release is clearly seen on the Yearpack, with at least 5 stamps shown, so the embargo seems pretty pointless.
ReplyDeleteI would imagine there will be stamps for VE next year, with a possibility a set for Florence Nightingale 200th Anniversary and Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary of the top of my head slim chance of another Music Giants stamp set to mark John Lennon, who would have been 80 next year. Just putting ideas forward. But VE and Battle of Britain surely they will be on the programme for next year.
ReplyDeleteThe miniature sheet is printed in litho not gravure, resulting in much clearer, more detailed stamps. It is therefore presumably printed by Cartor.
ReplyDelete