by catpaw | 11 Jan, 2022 | Stamps
Guernsey’s 2022 stamps begin with a Lunar New Year celebration. Australian artist Chrissy Lau makes a return for the Year of the Tiger. Lau designed both the 2021 and 2022 Lunar New year stamps for Christmas Island and Guernsey. The tigers are a nice way to start 2022, not that I’m biased about cats.
Guernsey is a modest issuer of stamps and FDCs. What they offer is a perfect showcase for the islands natural beauty and history. Local artist Wendy Bramall’s EUROPA 2021 set was the best of last year. She captured Guernsey’s natural appeal through her Endangered Local Species stamps.
Wildlife stamps presentation pack cover
Beautiful cover isn’t it? Not sure if Bramall returns this year, but I’m hoping she does. Anyway, onwards to 2022. As always, drop a comment below and tell us which ones are your favourites.
Cheers,
Catpaw
January
Year of the Tiger




6 stamps, FDC, cancel, souvenir sheet, presentation pack, numbered uncut sheets (limited to a run of 200), sheets of 10, gold replica souvenir sheet (limited run of 200 sheets).
Gold replica souvenir sheets are 24 carat gold foil encased in an acrylic display stand. Sheets are numbered & issued with a certificate of authenticity.
- 50p Stretching Tiger
- 70p stamp: Coin Tiger
- 73p stamp: Longevity Tiger
- £1 stamp: Lantern Dreams
- £1.15 stamp: Tiger mum with cub
- £1.20 stamp: Hongbao Tigers
Designer: Chrissy Lau Chrissy Lau | Artist Illustrator | Portfolio
It was easy to spot Lau’s art. She has created a number of stamps for Guernsey Post, including the last two Lunar New Years – Year of the Rat and Year of the Ox. She also created the 2021 Australia/Christmas Island Year of the Ox set.
Release date: January 5, 2022
Heart of the Forest
Stamp 1 of 4


1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset lithography
There will be 4 stamps in this series:
- Stamp one: Chestnut tree and blue bird; issue date 9 February 2022
- Stamp two: Forest and butterfly issue date 4 April 2022
- Stamp three: Leaves and beetles; issue date 24 August 2022
- Stamp four: Flowers and butterfly, and souvenir sheet featuring the set; issue date 2 November 2022
The [Love Paper] campaign highlights how the paper industry depends on sustainable forest management to provide a reliable supply of wood fibre, the key raw material for paper products. It advocates that sustainable forest management plays an important role in conserving biodiversity and eco systems. Heart of the Forest, part one of the 2022 quartet series (guernseystamps.com)
Designer: Gail Armstrong
Gail Armstrong is an interesting illustrator. Her specialty is creating 3D paper sculptures. She created the 2021 UN World Toilet Day stamps, using the same paper sculptures styling. Previous Guernsey design: 2009 500 Anniv of Coronation of Henry VIII.
The papercraft images I create are made entirely from paper. I cut, bend, glue and emboss this humble medium to create three-dimensional paper sculptures. The paper forms are then photographed and either used as illustrations or box-framed for exhibition – or both!
Gail Armstrong on Behance
Release date: January 26, 2022
February
Clematis Gold: C. Samaritan Jo



1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, presentation pack
Designer: Gillian Barlow
Barlow designed the 2021 Clematis Sarah Elizabeth stamp
Release date: February 9, 2022
Post & Go: Bailiwick Cuisine



6 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack
digital printing with 6 coours
- GY Letter: Guernsey Bean Jar
- GY Large: Guernsey Gâche
- UK Letter: Guernsey Biscuits
- UK Large: Local Lobster and Shrimps
- EUR Letter: Guernsey Gâche Méléé
- ROW Letter: Local Chancre Crab
Traditional Guernsey food – 10 delicious dishes to try | Heather on her travels
Designer: Mark Totty
Release date: February 17, 2022
April
Heart of the Forest
Stamp 2 of 4

1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Offset Lithography
Forest and butterfly
Designer: Gail Armstrong
Release date: April 4, 2022
The Voice – Vouaïe project (Guernsey Patois)


Guernsey Patois – A Language Apart | guernseydonkey.com Includes audio examples.
The Voice – Vouaïe project is an anthropological, social heritage, fine art documentary project. The aim of the project is to bring awareness and create a social, historical and documentary archival record of Guernésiais speakers. Guernsey has an ancient language with a long and distinctive history. Guernésiais, is the name of the Guernsey language; which derives from the ancient Normans.
Today, the number of the original native speakers in Guernsey is in fast decline. It is estimated that in 2019 there are possibly fewer than 200 fluent speakers of the language and these are mainly aged over 80. I feel it’s imperative to capture this critical changing situation, as an important part of Guernsey’s social heritage and for the future legacy of the Island. Furthermore, communicating this social issue to the International community. In doing so, I have captured a part of social history, which can be so fleeting.
aaronyeandle.com/voice — Aaron Yeandle
Photographer: Aaron Yeandle aaronyeandle.com/voice — Aaron Yeandle
Release date: April 4, 2022
May
40th Anniversary of the Falklands War

6 stamps, FDC, cancel, sheets of 10, presentation pack, prestige pack
- HMS Ardent (F184)
- The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire
- Falklands Memorial Bench
- Memorial plaque and tree found in Le Foulon Cemetery in Guernsey
- HMS Ardent’s ship’s bell
Release date: May 21, 2022
Europa 2022: Stories and Myths (Guernsey Witches)


6 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 6 sheets of 10 (available in Europa & non-Europa markings), presentation pack, 2 maxi cards, 2 postcards, 2 FD cancel postcards
Guernsey Witches
This set doesn’t deal with a specific story. It is a nod to a larger set of tales about Guernsey’s long association with witches throughout it’s history.
Both black and white witches were said to practice in Guernsey, with white witches using their craft solely for the benefit of other people. Black witches however were said to practice ritual witchcraft, holding assemblies and covens to summon demons and devils.
Many of the old house and cottages in the west of the island have a strange piece of granite extruding from the chimney; these are known as “witches seats” and are a place for these night-time flyers to stop and rest.
It is believed that over one hundred people were found guilty of witchcraft in Guernsey in the 16th and 17th centuries. the last witch trial in Guernsey took place in January 1914 when local women, Aimee Lake was charged with witchcraft.
Europa: Stories and Myths (Guernsey Witches) (guernseystamps.com)
On This Day in Guernsey has a brief writeup on the last witch trial which offers a bit of insight into the event Guernsey’s last witch trial takes place – On this day in Guernsey (history.gg) and the ever reliable Guernsey Donkey has a write up on witches seats.
Designer: Keith Robinson
Release date: May 21, 2022
June
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Post and Go Overprint

1 stamp
Limited release
Release date: June 3 to July 1, 2022
SEPAC 2022 – Local Drinks



4 stamps, FDC, cancel, 4 maxi cards, 4 postcards, 4 sheets of 10
lithography
Seagull Mischief
Instead of focusing on a single local drink, Guernsey decided to highlight seagulls enjoying local Guernsey’s food and drinks
- 52p – An opportunistic seagull has stolen a slice of Guernsey Gâche to share with his partner in crime.
- 79p – Always looking for an easy meal, this seagull has stolen a mackerel from an unsuspecting Guernsey fisherman.
- £1.10 – This audacious seagull takes a sip from a sunbather’s drink can. This stamp bears the SEPAC logo and the colours of the can are similar to that of a locally produced beverage. This stamp is the official SEPAC entry
- £1.35 – Cooling down with ice-cream provided by a generous human!
Designer/artist: James Colmer
This is Guernsey artist Colmer’s first stamps.
Release date: June 22, 2022
August
Ebenezer Le Page
6 stamps
details coming
The six stamps follow the life of Gerald Basil Edwards’ fictional Ebenezer Le Page . Published 1981, the book traces the life and times of Ebenezer from his birth in the late 19th century to his death in 1960.
The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, by G B Edwards is considered one of the best pieces of literature written about Guernsey. It was originally entitled Sarnia Cherie, and its current title was its sub-title…
Although he never married and only left the island once – to visit Jersey – the tale of Ebenezer’s life in the Vale is a deep and engaging one, that chronicles the many changes that the island want through during his lifetime, including, of course, the German Occupation during the Second World War. Several real people pop up within the narrative.
The Book of Ebenezer Le Page – The Sarnian
Designer:
Release date: August 24, 2022
Heart of the Forest
Stamp 3 of 4

1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Offset Lithography
oak leaf and beetles
Designer: Gail Armstrong
Release date: August 24, 2022
November
Heart of the Forest
Stamp 4 of 4


1 stamp, souvenir sheet with all 4 stamps, presentation pack, sheet of 10, 2 FDCs, cancel
offset lithography
This issue completes the 4-stamp set. It’s capped with the full souvenir sheet each stamp when pieced together forms a heart. Guernsey Post also released a canvas print of Gail Armstrong’s work.

Designer: Gail Armstrong
Release date: November 2, 2022
Christmas – Guernsey Panto 2022: Sleeping Beauty




7 stamps, FDC, cancel, prestige booklet, 7 sheets of 10
Sleeping Beauty runs from Dec 17 to 31, 2022, at Sleeping Beauty ‐ GADOC | Guernsey Arts
If you are unfamiliar with this unique form of theatre, you can learn more about it here: A History of Panto — Imagine Theatre. Katie Shilton’s article breaks down the history of panto in an entertaining way.
Designer: Nick Watton
Watton also designed Alderney’s Robin Hood Panto stamps. The Devon based artist has designed stamps and FDCs for Jersey, Royal Mail, Alderney, Guernsey and Gibraltar. His passion for the “wilder parts of the United Kingdom” shine through in many of his stamps.
Release date: November 16, 2022
See last year’s Guernsey stamps
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by catpaw | 10 Jan, 2022 | Stamps
It’s hard to know where to start with Taiwan’s 2022 stamp program. Last year turned into one of those great discoveries. Chunghwa Post offers a mix of traditional and new art, along with a lot of history to explore, all through stamps. This year I’m going to expand the inclusion of Chinese in some of the descriptions. I find some of the translations are inadequate at times. Hopefully including original names and, occasionally, descriptions, may make the page a bit better for Chinese speaking readers. If you spot an error in my translations, please offer corrections. It’s important to get information right, especially artists and designers names. These are the people who create the stamps we love so much. The least we can do is get their names correct.
2022 stamps will give us plenty of beautify to admire, ranging from modern scenery to dips into Taiwan’s ancient past. Leave a comment and share your thoughts on Taiwan’s offerings. I’m always interested in hearing from readers.
January
Palace Jade
3rd in series






4 stamps, FDC, cancel, pack, 4 postcards
lithography
Designer: Daguan Visual Consulting Co.,Ltd
Daguan Visual designed the following 2021 stamps: Classic Poetry (using Shen Zhen’s original art), Taiwan’s Core Industries, and Taoyuan City.
Release date: January 12, 2022 | 111
Beauty of Taiwan’s Roads


4 stamps, 4 sheets of 18, FDC, cancel, stamp pack
lithography
- Line 9 Jinlun Bridge
- Tongxiao Section of Taiwan Route 61
- Suao Section of Toucheng, National Highway 5
- Section 84 from Toushe to Erxi
Designer: Zeng Kaizhi | 曾凱智
Kaizhi designed 2021’s Ancient Paintings of the Palace Museum in Early Spring.
Photographers: Chen Jiajun, Peng Yuling, Cai Menghan, Wang Zhihao | 陳家駿, 彭玉玲, 蔡孟翰, 王志豪
Release date: January 12, 2022 | 111
Stamp catalogue for the 2021 |110th year

Includes information on all postcards, stamps, FDCs, and special releases for the 2021 year. In full colour.
Text in Chinese and English
Release date: January 267, 2022 | 111
February
Bird Conservation







4 stamps, 4 sheets of 18, FDC, cancel, stamp pack
lithography
TWBF | Taiwan | Bird Conservation (cwbftaiwan.wixsite.com)
Campaign to protect bird habitat starts well – Taipei Times
Designer: Lai Jiren | 賴吉仁
Release date: February 2022 | 111
March
150th Anniversary of Ma Kai’s Visit to Taiwan

1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
lithography
Biography – MACKAY, GEORGE LESLIE – Volume XIII (1901-1910) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography (biographi.ca)
Designer: Shen Zhen | 沈禎
Previous artwork appeared in the 2021 4 stamp Classic Poetry set.
Release date: March 9, 2022 | 111
April
Taiwan’s Endangered Mammal


2 stamps, 2 sheets of 20, FDCs, cancels, stamp pack
lithography
石虎 | Shihus are the last native wildcat in Taiwan. It is also called a leopard cat.
stone tiger is not tabby cat – national geographic magazine chinese (natgeomedia.com) (in Chinese)
Leopard Cat – International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC) Canada (wildcatconservation.org) (in English)
Designer: Ke Hongtu | 柯鴻圖
Release date: April 13, 2022 | 111
Taichung MRT


2 stamps on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, stamp pack
lithography
臺中捷運股份有限公司-官方網站- (tmrt.com.tw)
The Taichung MRT was opened April 25, 2010
Designer: Zeng Kaizhi | 曾凱智
Release date: April 25, 2022 | 111
May
Treasure Island – Yunlin County



4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20, FDC, cancel, stamp pack
lithography
Yunlin county government
- Xiluo Bridge 西螺大橋
- Beigang Chaotian Palace 北港朝天宮
- Caoling Wannian Canyon 草嶺萬年峽谷
- Douliu Taiping Old Street 斗六太平老街
Designer: 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司 | Daguan View Visual Consultants Co., Ltd.
Release date: May 11, 2022 | 111
Congratulations – Wedding Greetings
(111 edition)


4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20, FDC, cancel
lithography
- wedding greetings
- happy marriage
- love for a lifetime
- longevity of heaven and earth
Designer: 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司 | Daguan View Visual Consultants Co., Ltd.
Release date: May 20, 2022 | 111
June
National Taiwan Normal University Centenary
(111 Edition)

2 stamps, 2 sheets of 20, FDC, cancel
lithography
National Taiwan University (ntu.edu.tw)
Designer: Lin Junliang 林俊良
Release date: June 1, 2022 | 111
July
Modern Taiwanese Composers

4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20, FDC, cancel, ticket
- Deng Yuxian 鄧雨賢
- Xu Shi 許石
- Yang Sanlang 楊三郎
- Zhou Lanping 周藍萍
Each sheet of stamps shows a piece of work by the composer.
Designer: Daguan Visual Consulting Co., Ltd 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司
Release date: July 6, 2022 | 111
Classical Poetry





4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20, ticket pack, FDC, cancel, 4 postcards
This is continuation of series that began in 2018
- “Listening to the Piano” Liu Changqing
- “Chess” Wang Anshi
- “Second Yun Liu Gongfu’s Inscription Wenlu Gong’s Cursive Script” Su Rui
- “Mo Mei” Wang Mian
Designer: Daguan Visual Consulting Co., Ltd 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司
Release date: July 27, 2022 | 111
Welcome to the God of Wealth – gold ingots
Series: Taiwan Folk Belief Stamp

10 grams gold 999.9
1,500 pieces released
Not a stamp, but still a great release from Taiwan’s postal office. Design is taken from the September 2022 Taiwan Folk Belief stamp Zhao Gongming – 武財神趙公明 the God of wealth and luck.
The god is holding gold ingots in is left hand. If you have purchased the ingot set, could you drop some close up photos of the bag and extras to post here? I’m sure collectors would love to see details.
Designer: Ke Hongtu 柯鴻圖
Release date: July 27, 2022 | 111
August
Ancient Paintings from the Forbidden City – Twenty Four Solar Terms (Autumn)


12 stamps on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, ticket cover
This is continuation of the series showcasing paintings from the Forbidden City. These paintings are from the National Museum collection
Designer: Chardt Design Advertising Ltd 查爾特設計廣告有限公司
Release date: August 3, 2022 | 111
Feng Feifei 鳳飛飛郵票 (1953-2012)


4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20
Award winning actress and singer
Designer: Daguan Visual Consulting Co., Ltd 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司
Release date: August 17, 2022 | 111
September
Taiwan Folk Beliefs


4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20
- Mazu 媽祖 – sea goddess and protector of maritime shipping. Mazu: Sea goddess rooted in Chinese maritime culture – CGTN
Starting in a fishing town in southern China’s Fujian Province, the Mazu faith traveled to Taiwan by way of merchants and fishermen. Taiwan’s take on Mazu has evolved from a young maiden to a benevolent maternal figure that watches over the health of all people in Taiwan. Mazu became the local folklore religion of Taiwan and continues to this day. Mazu – OFTaiwan
- Wenchang (文昌王)
Wenchang (文昌王) is the god of literature and culture. When authors are facing writer’s block or students are cramming for exams, they look to Wenchang Wang for guidance, assistance, and inspiration. Images of him show him as a kindly, professor-like older man who is accompanied by two scholarly assistants. Wenchang Wang – Mythopedia
- Zhao Gongming – 武財神趙公明 the God of wealth and luck Caishen | Chinese deity | Britannica
- 註生娘娘 Goddess or Lady of Birth – Introduction of the gods – The Lady of the Notes (fuan.org.tw).
Designer: Ke Hongtu 柯鴻圖
Release date: September 21, 2022 | 111
October
Taiwan Heritage – Monuments



4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20
- Monopoly Bureau – Located in Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, the building was originally built in 1913 and completed in 1923. Its red and white walls are extremely eye-catching, imitating the British Victorian red brick style, the central tower is gorgeous and spectacular, and it is now the corporate headquarters of Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Co., Ltd.
- Tainan Waterway – Located in Shanshan District, Tainan City, it was built in 1912 and completed in 1922. The “waterway” is now known as tap water, and its net water pool is a gray building composed of natural stone and imitation stone blocks, which is shaped like a bunker, witnessing the development history of the modernization of sanitary engineering.
- Yinshan Temple – Located in Tamsui District, New Taipei City, founded in 1822, it is also the Tingzhou Guild Hall, which supports the history of Tingzhou people’s reclamation in Taiwan, and its architectural appearance is well preserved, and the roof ridge clay sculpture under construction at that time is also quite complete, which is the only Fujian Tingzhou form temple in Taiwan.
- Old City of Fengshan County – Located in Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, the first tucheng was built in 1722, and the stone city was completed in 1826, covering the east gate, the south gate, the north gate, the city wall, the moat and the Zhenfushe outside the north gate, Gongchenjing, etc., which is the first stone city wall in Taiwan.
China Post World Wide Web – Stamp Treasure – Inside Page
Designer: Natural Light Design Co., Ltd 自然光設計有限公司
Release date: October 20, 2022
November
Forbidden City Ancient Painting – 24 Solar Terms (Winter)


6 stamps, sheets of 12
“Following the issuance of the “Palace Museum Ancient Painting Stamps – 24 Solar Terms (Autumn)” on 3 August 1111, the Company continued to plan a series of stamps with the theme of “Qingzhang Ruoli Painting Ink Myo Zhu Lin (卯) Album” collected by the National Palace Museum. The second set of “Winter” contains 6 stamps of Standing Winter, Light Snow, Heavy Snow, Winter Solstice, Little Cold and Big Cold, all with a face value of 12 yuan, printed by means of a joint brush, and each stamp has a special-shaped perforation in the middle of the long side.” China Post World Wide Web – Stamp Treasure – Inside Page
Designer: Chardt Design Advertising Ltd 查爾特設計廣告有限公司
Release date: November 3, 2022
Treasure Island Style – Changhua County

4 stamps, 4 sheets of 20
- Changhua locomotive depot of the Taiwan Railway Bureau
- Lukang Tianhou Temple
- Wang Gong Fishing Port
- natural ecological education center, wetland of Dadu Xikou
Designer: Daguan Visual Consulting Co., Ltd 大觀視覺顧問股份有限公司
Release date: November 11, 2022
December
New Year

2 stamps, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, souvenir folder, souvenir folder with mount, album page, uncut sheets
offset
Better images coming
Three images are used in this set (details from Philatelic Bulletin 2022/18):
- seated rabbit – symbolizes sileпt waiting, looking forward and welcoming the New Уеаг with hope.
- observant rabbit – raises her head to gaze into the distance symboliziпg great expectations for the future: Мау the New Уеаr fulfill уош heaгt’s desires!
- bounding rabbit – symbolizes bounteous vitality: Мау the New УеаІ геаІіzе уош ambitions and your future Ье bright!
Designer: Tseng Kai-chih
Release date: December 1, 2022
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by catpaw | 10 Jan, 2022 | Espresso fueled mumblings, Stamps
DR Congo’s 2021 stamps honoured Patrice Lumumba, Congolese politician and independence leader. The 4 stamp set offers a portrait of Lumumba at various stages of his career, including the days leading up to his murder. This is the first stamp to come out of the Congo in 7 years and it is a poignant one.
“Lumumba represents the symbol of unity in the Congo, … Moreover, he is the hero of independence.” Francois Lumumba, Patrice Lumumba’s eldest son.
A good starting point in understanding Patrice Lumumba’s place in history is this CBC documentary. It’s in English and will give you a broad overview of events around Congo independence and Lumumba’s role. Pay special attention to the Independence ceremonies at 7:25. This was a key moment in modern DR Congo’s future.
To gain an understanding of the complexities behind Congo independence, Patrice’s speech and modern Congolese events, you have to dig into the history of the region and the horrific genocide brought onto the people. King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild (Published 1999) is an approachable and intelligent look at the colonization of the Congo and it’s devastating effects.
From there move on to this article Unfinished history: 60 years after the murder of DRC hero, Lumumba (vanguardngr.com). It’s a decent primer on the events of 1961 from the Nigerian daily newspaper Vanguard.
I’m currently reading 50 Years ago the Assassination of Patrice Lumumba. You can download it free.
For further context, try these links.
Slain independence hero Lumumba’s last remains to return home | CGTN Africa
Any Justice For The Children After The Brutal Murder Of Lumumba? (modernghana.com)
The chilling details of Patrice Lumumba’s assassination and how he was dissolved in acid – Face2Face Africa
Please drop links to new articles about the Congo and Lumumba in the comments below. I’d also appreciate it if you could share any African sources about the history, culture and literature from the Congo. I had a politics professor who stressed over and over, it is important to read the local writers, not just 3rd hand sources. If you wanted to understand a country’s politics, look to what the people within that country are saying.
National Heroes – Patrice Lumumba

4 stamps, souvenir sheet
Designer: no designer is listed.
Release date: June 30, 2021
More articles can be found here Stamps by country 2021
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by catpaw | 9 Jan, 2022 | Espresso fueled mumblings, Stamps
French engraving fans rejoice, its time for the TAAF 2022 stamps. Some of the best French designers & engravers return for a dive into the history of the Antarctic. January is a who’s who of French artists from Yves & Sophie Beaujard to Line Filhon and Pierre Barra.
Preparing TAAF is like writing up French stamps, I never know when to stop looking for new information. It’s like summer camp for art and history lovers. So, yea, I kind of nerded out on this page. You’ll need to grab an espresso and settle back for this one. There’s a lot to digest, for such a small issuing office.
Enjoy,
Catpaw
January
Claude Pieri (1922 – 2002)

1 stamp, sheets of 25
intaglio
Vice-Admiral, administrator of TAAF from 1982-1987
Death of Claude Pieri, Vice-Admiral (lemonde.fr)
Designer/Engraver: Yves Beaujard
Beaujard’s first stamp design was the 1999 Frédéric Ozanam for French Post. He is both an engraver and artist.
Yves Beaujard – Art of Engraved Stamp (artdutimbregrave.com)
Release date: January 2, 2022
Star Base or Moonrise on the East Island (Crozet)

1 stamp, sheets of 10
offset lithography
East Island is part of the Crozet archipelago. It’s a large rock about 130 km2 (50 sq mi) in size. For those who love looking up coordinates, you can find it here 46°25′S 52°12′E.
Designer: Sophie Beaujard
Sophie’s first stamp was the L’art roman. She engraved this 2010 stamp which her father Yves Beaujard designed. Beaujard won the Grand Prix de l’Art Philatélique in 2019 for her Montpellier stamp. She designed La Poste’s 2021 Napoleon stamp and the TAAF 43 Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty.
Release date: January 2, 2022
Shipwreck and Archaeology: the Meridian (Amsterdam Island)

1 stamp
offset lithography
Don’t miss the details in this stamp. Click on it to blow it up and examine the archeologist inspecting the site. Jumelet did an excellent job with this issue.
We have to report a most destructive shipwreck, which has occured on the Island of Amsterdam, whereby the British barque Meridian, of and from London to Sydney, and her cargo, have been totally lost. News of the disaster was brought here by the American whaler Monmouth, which picked up the whole of her crew and passengers who were on teh Island, amounting to one hundred and five in all. We regret to state that her captain, cook, and a Swiss passenger named l’Fau, were drowned.
WRECK OF THE MERIDIAN
Empire newspaper, Tue 13 Dec 1853
Page 2
There are some interesting websites you can explore if you are are a shipwreck fan. Fan isn’t the right word, but you get the idea. Your first stop should be A narrative of the wreck of the Meridian, on the island of Amsterdam by Alfred J.P. Lutwyche. You can read this free, online, courtesy the National Library of Australia who have a full digital version online A narrative of the wreck of the Meridian, on the island of Amsterdam (nla.gov.au). The author, Lutwyche, was aboard the Meridian when it sunk. He wrote this narrative for the Morning Chronicle Dec. 1853.
The NLA also has a collection of digitised articles you can look through. They include contemporary newspaper articles
13 Dec 1853 – WRECK OF THE MERIDIAN. – Trove (nla.gov.au)
Designer: Claude Jumelet
Jumelet has been designing stamps since 1968. The first one was Locomotive type PLM 241 A for Monaco. His most recent stamp was last year’s Clostermann and Roman for France.
Release date: January 2, 2022.
Serpentine
Serie: minerals

2 stamps, sheet of 20
offset lithography
Serpentine: mineral, gem, ornamental stone, asbestos source (geology.com)
This is part of an interesting series TAAF began in 1989. Claude Perchat took over the series in 2014 and has featured the following minerals:
- 2014 Fluorite
- 2015 Beryl
- 2016 no stamp issued
- 2017 Pyroxene
- 2018 Ilmenite
- 2019 Sapphirine
- 2020 Amethyst
- 2021 Amethyst
Designer: Claude Perchat
Her first stamp design was the 2009 Juliette Dodu or La Poste. Perchat provided the design and artwork for TAAF’s 2011 Penguins.
Release date: January 2, 2022
Robots in the Service of Earthen Science at Adélie

1 stamp on a souvenir sheet
offset lithography
The photo was taken by AP Photo/Frederique Olivier, Downer Productions.
A new way to spy on penguins | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site
Designer: Valérie Besser
Besser’s first stamp was a Joint Issue with Morocco in 2001. If you are a fan of postmarks, check out her previous designs Valérie Besser – La Poste / postmarks (valatwork.com)
Valérie Besser – ValAtwork
Release date: January 2, 2022
Pointe-Bénédicte Labratory – “Pointe-Bé”

1 stamp on a souvenir sheet
mixed
Designer/Engraver: Yves Beaujard
Release date: January 2, 2022
125th Anniversary – The Ice Sphinx – Jules Verne

1 stamp on a souvenir sheet
mixed
The Ice Sphinx is a Verne tale that takes place in the Antarctic. First published in 1897 in the magazine Magasin d’Education et de Récréation. You can also find it under the name An Antarctic Mystery .
Designer: Pierre Bara
Bara’s first stamp was for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, La Jeanne, 2010. La Monde ran in interesting interview with Bara in 2020. It’s a fascinating interview that talks about his experiences as an engraver. It is in French, but Google translate does a good job converting the text.
Pierre Bara: “My preference is for Josef Herčík’s reinterpretation of Picasso’s ‘Guernica’, issued by Czechoslovakia in 1966” (lemonde.fr)
Release date: January 2, 2022
250th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Crozet Archipelago

1 stamp on a souvenir sheet
mixed
Discovered Jan. 24, 1772 by French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne, (the man in the stamp above) an officer in the French East India Company. When du Fresne, who captained the ship Le Mascarin, was killed later in the expedition, his second in command Julien-Marie Crozet assumed command. Crozet met Captain James Cook when they were both on a stop over at Cape Town sometime in 1775. Crozet shared information on the discoveries he and du Fresne made during their voyage. Cook mentions Crozet in his diaries and was responsible for for naming the unnamed island Crozet.
Designer: André Lavergne
Lavergne’s first stamp was the 1981 Hommage aux martyrs de Châteaubriant for La Poste. Previous designs for TAAF was the 2015 Marion Dufresne.
Release date: January 2, 2022
The Astrolabe and the Aurora Australis

2 stamps on a souvenir sheet
offset lithography
The Astrolabe is a French polar research vessel and the Aurora is an Australian Antarctic supply ship.
Designer: Marie Detree-Hourriere
Detree-Hourriere designed TAAF stamp Marion Dufresne in a Bottle last year.
Release date: January 2, 2022
250th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Kerguelen Archipelago

1 stamp on a souvenir sheet
mixed
The islands are also called the Desolation Islands. Find them at -49.356915° N, 69.38831° E.
French explorer and navigator Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen-Trémarec spotted them 12 February 1772. For a short time, it was thought he had discovered Terra Australis. After a number of voyages to the area, it became clear, Kerguelen wasn’t this fabled land and was nothing more than a big, barren rock.
de Kerguelen-Trémarec was booted from the French Navy, shortly after returning to France from a third exploration voyage. On May 25 1776, he was court marshaled and thrown out of the French Navy for violating Naval Regulations. de Kerguelen-Trémarec had fallen out of favour in the French court by the time of his court marshal. The charges brought against him included profiting off the slave trade and bringing his mistress aboard his ship and living in a “most indecent, the most scandalous way”.
One of the grievances against him was the illicit trade and in particular the slave trade carried out during his mission (in 1727, Louis XV had defended it against the captains and officers serving on the king’s ships). The cumbersome presence of junk on the between-deck had bothered the crew; moreover, Yves de Kerguelen had deliberately shortened the duration of the southern expedition, only to be before the bad season in Madagascar where he probably hoped to buy some slaves. In exchange for tobacco and powder from his junk “eight negroes that the pilot assistant bought on behalf of M. de Kerguelen” were taken to the ship while it was anchoring at theÎle de France; Kerguelen sold six or seven of them at a profit, and kept the last two for himself. Yves Joseph de Kerguelen de Trémarec – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
He was subsequently imprisoned for 6 years in the Château de Saumur. When he was released, he rejoined the French navy and fought in the American Revolution. During the French Revolution he was made a rear-admiral, then arrested (not sure why) and eventually released again and reinstated in the French Navy. He retired in 1796 and died in 1797.
de Kerguelen-Trémarec also authored a number of books about his travels. You can read one of them on-line here Relationship of a trip in the North Sea, the coasts of Iceland, Greenland … – Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen-Trémarec – Google Books
His memoirs about the South Seas trip was titled Relation of two voyages in the southern seas & the Indies made in 1771, 1772, 1773 & 1774: as well as some letters or memoirs on the navy, & a state of the services of M. de Kerguelen.
Designer: Line Filhon
Filhon has designed stamps for France, TAAF, Saint Pierre and Michelon, French Polynesia and Monaco. Her first was the 2009 Royaumont Abbey, Val d’Oise for La Poste. She also designed a previous Minerals stamp for TAAF in 2012. She designed and engraved the 2021 TAAF stamp Sea Lions of Amsterdam Island.
Release date: January 2, 2022
White Chin Petrel

1 stamp on a souvenir sheet
offset lithography
White-chinned Petrel – eBird
Designer: Nadia Charles
Charles designed the 2020 Kerguelen and Crozet Cormorants.
Release date: January 2, 2022
Marion Dufresne Supply Mission in Kerguelen

1 stamp on a souvenir sheet
offset lithography
Marion Dufresne – French oceanographic fleet (ifremer.fr)
Designer: Pierre-Andr Cousin
Cousin began his career as an architect. His first stamp, Ouistreham Lighthouse, was for La Poste in 2004. He designed the 2021 Basler BT67 Aircraft, Concordia Base bloc.
Release date: January 2, 2022
The Seabed of the TAAF

1 stamp, sheet of 10
offset lithography
Designer: Sarah Lazarevic
Release date: January 2, 2022
Maintenance of Relay 26 – Mont Fernand Amsterdam

1 stamp
Mont Fernand… – disams62.over-blog.com’s blog (In French, use Google Translate)
Designer: Noëlle Le Guillouzic
Noëlle Le Guillouzic – Illustrator, Watercolourist. Internship and watercolor course in Brittany Côtes-d’Armor. Naturalistic books, philately (noelle-le-guillouzic.fr)
Release date: January 2, 2022
June
500 years of the discovery of Île Amsterdam
1 stamp on souvenir sheet
offset
Amsterdam was first sited in 1522 by Spanish explorer Juan Sebastián de Elcano while on a circumnavigation voyage around the world. The name wasn’t attached to the island until Dutch explorer Anthonie van Diemen named it in 1633. He called it after his ship Nieuw Amsterdam.
Designer: Raphaële Goineau
Goineau lives and works on the island of Saint Pierre et Miquelon. She designed stamps for SP&M as well as TAAF and as of 2021 she has been an official Painter of the French Navy.
Release date: June 23, 2022
Pioneers

7 stamps
Designer: Martin Mörck
Release date: June 25, 2022
November
300th Anniversary of the Discovery of Tromelin Island by La Diane
1 stamp on souvenir sheet
mixed
Tromelin Island – French Southern and Antarctic Lands – Atlas Obscura
August 11, 2022 marks 300 years since the discovery of Tromelin – French Southern and Antarctic Lands (taaf.fr)
“Tromelin, the island of forgotten slaves” – French Southern and Antarctic Lands (taaf.fr)
Designer: FILHON Line
Release date: November 4, 2022
Joint Issue TAAF France – Monaco – Centenary of the Death of Prince Albert I of Monaco

2 stamps on souvenir sheet
Designer: Bite Thierry
Release date: November 24, 2022
See last year’s TAAF stamps TAAF Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises 2021
You can see more from these designers on both the French 2021 and 2022 pages.
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by catpaw | 7 Jan, 2022 | Stamps
Time to look at the 2022 Isle of Man stamps. What better way to start a new year than with tigers! Isle of Man starts as it did last year, with their annual Lunar New Year stamps. It’s the year of the water tiger and beautiful images are popping up all over the world. Not to be left out, is Manx artist Ana Jaks’ contribution. For her very first stamp design, Jaks created a Chinese pottery motif to showcase Lunar New Year tigers.
“This is a dream; since first discovering just how beautiful the stamp sets are that the Isle of Man Post Office releases, I’ve been keen to work together – I think it’s been years in the making! There’s something very special about collaborating with a client you’ve always admired and share roots with.” Ana Jaks Isle of Man Post Office press release.
Collectors can expect more Manx history by way of the EUROPA 2022 stamps. This year’s theme is Stories and Myths. Take a look at As Manx as the Hills | Isle of Man History, Folklore, Traditions and Mythology & Folklore :: isleofman.com and try to guess what tales will be featured. As well IOM honours much loved Manx artists Nancy Corkish and David Byrne with a beautiful February set.
Not sure what else the year will bring, so let’s enjoy the journey together. Don’t forget to leave a comment about which myth you think will be highlighted.
January
Year of the Tiger




4 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, 4 sheets of 20
FDCs & presentation packs will be limited editions with 2,250 FDCs issued and 1,750 presentation packs
- The sign’s celebrated courage
- The cosmological link to the element of water
- Tiger’s compatibility with the Horse
- The auspicious association with plum blossom
Designer: Ana Jaks Ana Jaks | Animals, Character, Commercial | JSR Agency
Bristol based illustrator & mural artist Jaks is originally from the Isle of Man.
Release date: January 13, 2022
February
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – 70th Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne



8 stamps, presentation pack booklet pane, 3 sheetlets, platinum jubilee collection, , 8 sheets of 8 stamps, 8 self adhesive labels, prestige booklet, 2 FDCs, cancel. Imperforate and press sheets also aviailable.
offset lithography
- Stamp 1 – H M Queen Elizabeth II by Sterling Henry Nahum Baron in 1953. A friend of Prince Philip, he was appointed a court photographer to the British royal family and provided the official photographs of the Coronation.
- Stamp 2 – Pictured by HV McKay Massey Harris, a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her coronation on 2nd June 1953.
- Stamp 3 – A countryside image of Her Majesty taken during 1953.
- Stamp 4 – An image taken at the Trooping of the Colour during HM Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee, 1977.
- Stamp 5 – The image of HM holding the Union Jack. Taken during her Diamond Jubilee tour to Leeds, West Yorkshire and walkabout 12th July 2012.
- Stamp 6 – HM Queen Elizabeth II lays a wreath at the Cenotaph in London during the annual Service of Remembrance to commemorate those who lost their lives in service of their nation and Commonwealth.
- Stamp 7 – A visit enjoyed by thousands, HM Queen Elizabeth II, Lord of Mann visits the Isle of Man on Tynwald Day in 2003. After presiding over the Tynwald Day ceremony, representatives of the Isle Of Man Post Office were delighted to present Her Majesty with an album of our Golden Jubilee postal collections.
- Stamp 8 – An image of Her Majesty in cerise/raspberry. Taken on her walkabout outside Lincoln Cathedral, 20th April 2000, after attending the Royal Maundy ceremony.
from HM Queen Elizabeth II 70th Accession – Isle of Man Post Office (iompost.com)
Designer: EJC Design
EJC created 9 sets for IOM post last year.
Text supplied by Lady Colin Campbell
Release date: February 6, 2022
Creneash, y Balley Ain – Our Cregneash Home




8 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack
Celebrating local artists Nancy Corkish and David Byrne Exhibition of Manx Artists Nancy Corkish and David Byrne – Isle of Man News | Manx.net
Cregneash – Visit Isle of Man
Designer: Icon Imaging, using Corkish & Byrne’s art.
Release date: February 23, 2022
March
Sculptures of Michael Sandle RA





6 stamps, presentation pack, 6 sheets of 8, FDC, cancel
offset lithography
- Lifeboat Men Memorial (bronze) Loch Promenade, Douglas
- Malta Siege Bell Monument, Valetta Harbour
- St George and the Dragon (bronze) Dorset Rise, Blackfriars in London
- Seafarers Memorial, Albert Embankment in London
- The Viking, Erin Arts Centre in Port Erin, Isle of Man
- 20th Century War Memorial (bronze), Tate Gallery, London
“I am proud of the fact that I am considered to be a Manx artist too and also feel extraordinarily fortunate to have been surrounded by the shapes, colours and ever-changing light that is special to this Island when I was an emerging young artist, all of which went into my work. Now that I am a very much older and established artist I am extremely proud that the Isle of Man Post Office are issuing six stamps with examples of my work on them. I feel that this means that I am now thought of as a local boy what done good!”
Michael Sandle, RA Isle of Man Post Office showcases the work of renowned sculptor Michael Sandle RA in six landmark stamps – IoM Post
Michael Sandle | Artist | Royal Academy of Arts
Sculptor & Text: Michael Sandle RA
Designer: EJC Design
Photographers: Simon Stringer, Ben Johnson, Howard Grey, Michael Sandle
Release date: March 8, 2022
April
Eileen Schaer – Animals






6 stamps, FDC, cancel, sheets of 15, presentation pack
offset lithography
- Lady Dreaming of a Tiger
- Birdsong
- Moonlight
- Lady With Birds
- Just Friends
- Lady Kneeling
Artist: Eileen Schaer
Self-taught artist was born in Liverpool. She “Painting for almost five decades, Eileen Schaer met numerous poets, musicians and artists in 1960’s Liverpool, including her late husband, David Fletcher, who went on to attend the Royal College of Art. However it wasn’t until Eileen moved to London in 1970, joining David on his visits to galleries and exhibitions across the city that her desire to pick up her own paints, was sparked.” Eileen Schaer ‘Painted Dreams’ opens at the House of Manannan (manxnationalheritage.im)
Designer: IOM Advertising & PR
Release date: April 14, 2022
Manx Museum (Thie Tashtee Vannin)100th Anniversary




10 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, presentation pack (limited to 1500 issues), self adhesive booklet, 2 sheets of 8
offset lithography using 4 colour + 1 metallic pantone
- Oldest Surviving Manx Motor Vehicle, 1911
- Carmine-Red Definitive Stamp
- Head and Shoulders of a Child by Frank Mowbray Taubman, 1893
- ‘On the Beach at Douglas’ by William Hardie Hay, 1894
- Pygmy Shrew (Sorex minutus) Taxidermy
- Elephant Hawk Moth (Deilephila elpenor)
- King Sihtric Coin, c.AD1030
- Rushen Abbey Floor Tile, c.AD1400
- Building Beginnings, Noble’s Isle of Man Hospital, 1886
- Sulby Glen Corn Flour Sign
First opening its doors to the public on 2 November 1922, Manx National Heritage continues to preserve and protect the diverse collections held by the Manx Museum, from archives to art, archaeology, social history and natural history and to tell the rich stories of our Island, past and present.
100 YEARS OF THE MANX MUSEUM CELEBRATED IN UNIQUE ISLE OF MAN STAMPS (manxnationalheritage.im) (This link has details on each stamp)
You can visit the museum here Manx Museum – Thie Tashtee Vannin : Manx National Heritage
Text: Manx National Heritage
Designer: Isle of Man Advertising
Release date: April 28, 2022
May
‘All Aboard Please!’
4th in series






6 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, 6 sheets of 20
offset lithography
Previous issues 1999, 2015 & 2019.
- Leyland Leopard 1979/80
- Leyland Atlantean 1982
- Leyand Lynx 1988
- DAF D8250 2001-2005
- Volvo B9TL 2009
- Wrightbus Streetdeck 2020
Don’t miss out on Isle of Man’s Transportation Museum Jurby Transport Museum – Home (jtmiom.im). The Classic Car Wiki site has some great info on old vehicles. Category:Buses | Classic Cars Wiki | Fandom. It has lots of interesting photos too. Manx post should make this set into t-shirts!
Designer: Emma Cooke of EJC Design
Text: author & historian Richard Davis
Illustrator: Peter Hearsey
Hearsey has earned an international reputation for his automotive art. You can learn a bit more about him here peter HEARSEY | Manx Art Directory
Release date: May 5, 2022
100 Years of BBC


12 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack.
- TARDIS from Doctor Who
- Strictly Come Dancing
- Blue Peter badge
- BBC News
- Match of the Day
- BBC Natural History programming
- Blackadder’s ruff
- Queen Vic pub in Albert Square from EastEnders
- BBC Proms
- Desert Islands Discs
- Bitesize logo
- Sky at Night
… topics were selected by Robert Seatter, Head of BBC History and Glazier Design following research into the programmes most popular with Manx residents…The ‘100 Years of Our BBC’ stamp set was designed by Glazier Design in collaboration with BBC Studios. The stamps contain iconic images from 100 years of world-leading broadcasting, representing comedy to soaps, news to the environment and sport to children’s entertainment. The stamps feature the multi-coloured BBC 100 ident that has been created for the BBC 100th anniversary, as well as subtle graphic references and quotes related to the programme pictured on the stamp. 100 Years of BBC Celebrated in a Special Stamp Set – Isle of Man Post Office (iompost.com)
Designer: Glazier Design
Release date: May 19, 2022
June
Sir Barry Gibb Signed Cover

This is a limited release of the 2021 set. 250 covers have been signed by Gibb with a portion of proceeds going to Nordoff Robbins charity. A special postmark, in the shape of a silver cleff, will accompany the signed cover.
Designer: EJC Design
Release date: June 26, 2022
July
Culture Vannin 40th Anniversary

6 stamps, FDC, cancel, 2 sheets of 30, presentation pack
- Supporting Language & Literature
- Supporting Archaeology & Industrial Development
- Supporting History & Law
- Supporting History & Law
- Supporting Natural History & Ecology
- Supporting Music, Folk-Lore & Folk-Dance
Culture Vannin has a strong and proud history of supporting and promoting Manx culture through development, education and grant-giving work since we were established as the Manx Heritage Foundation by Act of Tynwald in 1982. Inspired by the Island of Culture celebrations throughout 2014, we adopted the trading name Culture Vannin, reflecting our continued work to promote our culture in inclusive, engaging and creative ways.
Supporting, promoting & celebrating Manx culture<br />Taking our culture forward | Culture Vannin | Isle of Man
Designer: Jay Cover
Cover is a Manx illustrator
Release date: July 4, 2022
10th Anniversary of the Creative Network


10 stamps, FDC, cancel, 2 sheets of 16, presentation pack
The Creative Network is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2012, run voluntarily by artists. It consists of around seventy members, with the aim to provide support to creative individuals, whilst promoting appreciation and involvement in the Manx visual arts for the benefit of the Manx community and further afield. Isle of Man Post Office Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the Creative Network – IoM Post
Designer: Carola Rush
Rush used works from 10 artists who belong to the Creative Network. The following types of art are represented in the stamps: ceramics, glass-making, embroidery, wood-turning, digital illustration, photography, textile art, drawing and painting
The Network will host a “meet the artists” an exhibition to celebrate both their anniversary and the stamps at:
6:30pm Friday August 12, 20222
Artreach Studios in Peel
This exhibition will feature the stamp artists plus the varied work of Creative Network members and will be open to the public over the weekends of Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th and Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. each Saturday and between 2.00 and 5.00 p.m. on the Sundays. Isle of Man Post Office
Release date: July 28, 2022
September
David Bowie 75th Anniversary of Birth – EUROPA Labyrinth


8 stamps, 9 souvenir sheets of 8, 2 FDCs, cancel, presentation pack, album, prestige pack, booklet, booklet panes, stamp pack, (sheets also available)
offset
- Final Portrait, 2016
- Everybody Loves Sunshine, 1999
- Labyrinth, 1986
- Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, 1983
- Baal, 1982
- The Elephant Man, 1980
- Just a Gigolo, 1978
- The Man Who Fell to Earth, 1976
This set includes Isle of Man’s 2022 EUROPA entry. The Isle of Man Post Office chose Bowie’s Labyrinth movie portrayal for their Stories and Myths theme. It is the only part of this substantial set that has the EUROPA mark. This was an odd choice for the EUROPA theme, given it doesn’t have any direct ties to Manx myths or tales. You can read about Bowie’s portrayal of Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth.
Designer: Jonathan Barnbrook / ©The David Bowie Archive ®Under License to Perryscope Productions, LLC / Epic Rights, LLC 2022
“Jonathan Barnbrook was a long-time collaborator with David Bowie. He designed all of his album releases from Heathen in 2002 to his final album ★ in 2016. He was also artistic adviser and part designer of the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition David Bowie Is. Barnbrook received 2 Grammy nominations for his David Bowie covers, winning one of them for ★” David Bowie: Actor – Isle of Man Post Office (iompost.com)
Release date: September 12, 2022
October
Isle of Man Shipwrecks


6 stamps, FDC, cancel, 6 sheets of 20, presentation pack (3 bottom images are of the presentation pack. There is only one, but I liked the design so I included more images)
Offset lithography
The waters around Man are rich grounds for finding shipwrecks. Isle of Man Post office, with the help of Manx National Heritage picked 6 shipwrecks for this set:
Artist: Paul Parker
Self-taught Manx painter: Parker specialises in seascapes.
I am trying to give my work an atmosphere and sensation gained by personal experience. To show others the world as I see it. I think of a painting as a team game between the artist and the viewer. It’s my job to give the viewers just enough information, but not too much, as they need a personal input into the work also. paul PARKER | Manx Art Directory
Research: Adrian Corkill
Corkill is a maritime historian, and author of 5 books about shipwrecks. Not only is he an historian, but he has also dived down to explore various wrecks. Corkill maintains an extensive database of shipwreck and is currently working with Manx National Heritage to “create the maritime section of the Isle of Man Historic Environment Record from his research.”
“My interest in shipwrecks around the Isle of Man stemmed originally from angling. Fishing a wreck called the Ballina off Laxey I wanted to know more. Trawling through the records at the Manx Museum I stumbled across over 150 shipwrecks before I found the Ballina.
My eyes were opened as I realised just how many shipwrecks were out there. Adrian Corkill from a 2007 BBC article BBC – Isle of Man – Nature – Spendours of the Sea
Release date: October 12, 2022
Underwater Photography





6 stamps, booklet pane, FDC, presentation pack, 6 sheets of 10
Exploring the diversity in the waters around the island
- Jewel Anemone Corynactis Viridis
- Queen Scallop (Queenie) Aequipecten Opercularis
- Cushion Starfish Asterina phylactica
- Squat Lobster Galathea Squamifera
- Violet Sea Slug Edmundsella Pedata
- Small Spotted Catshark Scyliorhinus Canicula
Designer: Dr Lara Howe
Dr. Howe is a marine biologist with the Manx Wildlife Trust. She is an avid scuba diver and lover of marine wildlife. Howe is part of the Seasearch marine conservation society. You can learn more about it, and the coastal life it seeks to protect here Seasearch – Home
Release date: October 31, 2022
November
Manx Winter – Christmas 2022


6 stamps, FDC, cancel, 6 self adhesives, presentation pack, 6 sheets of 20
Manx born artist Ashby Smyth painted this series of watercolours from various sites around the island. She called them “captured moments” of her walks during the winter.
Artist: Julia Ashby Smyth
Julia Ashby Smyth is known for her book illustrations covering a wide variety of topics from wildlife, fantasy, cats (can never have too many cats), and children’s books.
Release date: November 2, 2022
See last year’s Manx stamps Animals & wheels on Isle of Man 2021 stamps
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by catpaw | 2 Jan, 2022 | Stamps
The Swiss stamps for 2022 start off quite tranquil with 5 new definitives. Andeas Gerth’s photographs feature different river landscapes from across the country. Gerth wrote about capturing the scenes on his blog:
Although I know many interesting spots on Swiss rivers, the task was not a self-runner, as many conditions had to be met by the client. The flooding in the summer also made the work more difficult. For some shots I stood in the water, where usually the dry shore was. Some picture ideas I could not implement at all, because it would have been simply too dangerous. News – Current information about Andreas Gerth Fotografie
Gerth’s observations offered a small glimpse into the the design process for this set. It’s not always about sitting around in front of a computer. Don’t forget to stop by his website (link in the quote above) and enjoy more of his work.
Last year saw the introduction of Switzerland’s first crypto stamp. It proved to be so popular, it sold out before the new year. Although some collectors have dismissed cryptos as a fad, I’m a fan of the creativity behind the designs. I’m hoping to see another stamp sometime in late 2022. Gregor Forster’s Switzerland to the Moon theme was fascinating and I think the best of the year was Pilatus with dragon.

The other standout for 2021 surprised me. It was Amadeus Waltenspühl’s Blank Canvas.

The stamp is printed on linen canvas and explores “art collection, art in construction and the desired partnership with art events in the periphery”. Something has happened to my tastes in design and art over the years and I’ve been a bit startled with what I gravitate towards now. This stamp and Belgium artist Thierry de Cordier’s October stamp Nada both provoked interesting responses. And that is why I’ve become so passionate about modern stamps – designers aren’t afraid to push the boundaries of what we think stamps should be.
So, I hope this year will be as fun as last year and I really want to see more crypto stamps from Switzerland. Maybe one day, I’ll manage to buy a few before they disappear.
** NOTE:
Swiss Post has listed/cancelled and relisted a number of FDCs for May. I will go through and check their releases in June to check on their status and make corrections.
January
Swiss River Landscapes
definitives


5 stamps, 2 sheets of 50, 3 sheets of 10, FDCs, cancel
offset, 6-colour and Iriodin coating and 5-colour and Iriodin coating
- Verzasca in Brione
- Rubigen in the Canton of Berne
- Rhine in Chur
- the Doubs at Le Theusseret in the Doubs Nature Park
- Rhone in Varen
Designer: Andreas Gerth
This is Gerth’s first design for Swiss Post
Release date: January 1, 2022
Coins
supplementary stamps

3 stamps, 3 booklets of 4, FDC, cancel
offset, 5-colour and Iriodin coating
Designer: Marc Weller
Previous designs by Weller include the 2016 Swiss Railway Stations and 2014 EUROPA – musical instruments
Release date: January 1, 2022
February
Kiss – Valentine’s Day


1 stamp, blocks of 4, FDC, cancel
offset, 4-colour
Designer: Isabelle Bühler ISABELLE BÜHLER – Paperwork (isabellebuehler.ch)
Bühler used a multi step technique to create this kiss stamp. She created the lips out of paper and then photographed them from an angle to get the 3D effect. She is another paper artist who are creating interesting designs by using paper as a sculpting material If you like this style, don’t miss artist Gail Armstrong’s Heart of the Forest stamps for Guernsey Post. The beauty of Guernsey’s 2022 stamps | Bitter Grounds Magazine
Release date: February 1, 2022
March
100 years Celestino Piatti
graphic artist and illustrator (1922–2007)

1 stamp, 2 FDCs, cancel. blocks, limited run poster (200 copies on multiArt Silk paper)
offset, 4-colour
Stamps are from Piatti’s The Happy Owls illustration
PIatti designed over 6,000 book covers
Books – Celestino Piatti (celestino-piatti.ch)
Release date: March 3, 2022
50 years Mummenschanz




1 stamp, 3 FDC, cancel, souvenir sheet of 8, limited edition print (200 copies, printed on hand made paper, signed and numbered)
offset, 4-colour and hot foil stamping
Masquerade (mummenschanz.com)
There are a couple of YouTube videos about Mummenschanz, so if you are curious it’s worth a look. Here’s one I found, posted by Mumenschanz from a 1974 Swiss TV production. The audio narration is in German. Subtitles are available but the translation is … quirky. You don’t really need a translation though to appreciate the mind bending theatre.
The special stamp celebrates two of MUMMENSCHANZ’s most famous figures: “Giant Hands” opens the curtains for “Slinkyman”. Single stamp «50 years Mummenschanz» | buy at postshop.ch
Designer: Janine Aebischer
Release date: March 3, 2022
Animals in their habitats


4 stamps, 4 sheets, 2 booklets, 9 FDCs, cancel
offset, 4-colour
Designer: Oreste Vinciguerra Gallery 1 | Image (ab-bild.ch)
Release date: March 3, 2022
Special Events


4 stamps, 4 sheets, 2 booklets, 9 FDCs, cancel
offset, 4-colour
Designer: Uwe Stettler Uwe Stettler (@uwe_stettler) • Instagram photos and videos
Release date: March 3, 2022
125 Years Chimney Sweeper Switzerland

1 stamp, sheets of 10, FDC, cancel
offset, four-colour and scratch off coating;
Found this little tidbit in Swiss Post’s Focus magazine:
Why a top hat?
Damp wood was often burned during the 17th and 18th centuries. This created more soot and heat, which increased the risk of fire. The sweepers had to clear the soot regularly. While at work, they had the opportunity to see how people lived and what possessions they owned. To remind them
not to gossip about what they had seen, they were given top hats, which were actually reserved for the upper classes at that time. Due to this history, chimney sweepers take great pride in the trust which was and still is placed in them.
Focus issue 1/2022
Designer: Andreas Güntensperger,
Release date: March 3, 2022
May
World Stamp Exhibition – HELVETIA 2022 Lugano


1 souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 1 pre-stamped postcard, 1 maxi-card
The 2022 Helvetia World Stamp Exhibition will be held in Lugano May 18 to 22 at the Padiglione Conza fairground and convention center in Lugano. The postcard celebrates the 160th anniversary (1862) of the first Swiss stamp. Helvetia 2022 / World Stamp Exhibition / 18-22 May 2022 / Lugano, Switzerland
Release date: May 5, 2022
National Jamboree

Designer: Marisa Zürcher
1 stamp, 2 FDCs, cancel
Scented stamp – when rubbed the stamp emits a campfire aroma
Release date: May 5, 2022
EUROPA – Stories and Myths – WILLIAM TELL

2 stamps, sheets of 16, FDCs, cancel
offset
William Tell
William Tell — VARSY’S Legends of Switzerland (varsys.ch)
A Brief History of the Legend of William Tell (theculturetrip.com)
Designer: Elena Knecht
Release date: May 5, 2022
Pro Patria – 100 years National Day badge

2 stamps with surcharge, booklets of 4, FDCs, cancel, sheet of 10
- 1923–1972
- 1973–2022
Release date: May 5, 2022
Joint issue Switzerland–Croatia




2 stamps, FDCs, cancel
- Lake Cauma
- Visovac Island
For their design, the Croatians selected a widening of the River Krka, in the middle of which Visovac Island is found. It’s 200 metres long and has been inhabited since the 14th century. The smallest book in the world, containing the Lord’s Prayer in seven languages, and a valuable copy of Aesop’s fables are kept on the island. Both are part of a collection of monastic treasures assembled by Franciscan monks. Switzerland chose Lake Cauma near Flims, which also has a very picturesque – albeit slightly smaller – island. The Romansh dialect Sursilvan, in which the lake is called “Lag la Cauma”, was intentionally used in the name. Swiss Post Stamps CHF 1.80 «Visovac Island», Sheet with 16 stamps | buy at postshop.ch
Release date: May 5, 2022
Swiss Parks


4 stamps, pack of pre-stamped postcards, sheets of 20
- Beverin Nature Park
- Doubs Nature Park
- Gantrisch Nature Park
- Schaffhausen Nature Park
Artist: Pierre Abraham Rochat
Rochat’s artwork previously appeared 2018 50th anniversary of the Ballenberg Foundation stamps.
Release date: May 5, 2022
Art in the periphery
Series: Swiss Post’s commitment to art


1 stamp on a sheet of 8, FDCs, cancel, art print (200 prints on Rives handmade paper, signed and hand numbered by artist)
special ink used
Art in the periphery is part of an on-going exhibition in Switzerland being held outside urban centres. This is a cool stamp using a special ink made of chlorophyll pigments, designed to change colour over time and with different exposure to lights. Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green colour.
“Meadow” represents spaces “… usually created thanks to people and only continue to exist with their help. Art projects have also often been created on meadows in peripheral regions, continuing the dialogue between natural processes and cultural achievement.” (Swiss Post)
Designer/artist: Monica Ursina Jäger
Release date: May 5, 2022
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

1 stamp, sheets of 20, FDC, cancel
Designers: Andrea Münch and Markus Läubli
Release date: May 5, 2022
150 years LNM Navigation on the Three Lakes

1 stamp, sheets of 10, FDC, cancel
The boat depicted is the steamboat DS Neuchâtel. Built in 1912, and renovated and put back into service in 2014. Trivapor – Portrait of DS Neuchâtel
Release date: May 5, 2022
July
Marriage for All


1 stamp, sheet of 10, FDC, cancel
As of July 1, 2022 the LGBTIQ+ community could legally marry.
Release date: July 1, 2022
August
Crypto 2.0 – Locarno Film Festival

10 designs in partnership with Locarno Film Festival.
Physical stamp designer: Corina Vögele
Total release: 250,000 copies
Each stamp is named for one of 10 directors featured at the Film Festival. The upcoming NFT releases wstere created by the film directors.
The 75th Locarno Film Festival runs from August 3 to 10 with this set of 10 released to coincide with the festival.
NFTs to be revealed August 6, 2022 at the Festival.
NOTE: An 11th NFT stamp will be released to complete this series. The release will be limited to 50 copies. They will be given away in a prize draw, open to anyone who purchases a Crypto 2.0 stamp.
Valentin Merz
Token ID 1

De Noche Los Gatos Son Pardos | At Night All Cats Are Black
World Premiere
Valentin Merz (swissfilms.ch)
25,000 copies
———-
Samuel Patthey
Token ID 2

Samuel | Locarno Film Festival (locarnofestival.ch)
25,000 copies
——————–
Elie Grappe
Token ID 3

Olga
This is Grappe’s first feature length film
25,000 copies
———-
Klaudia Reynicke
Token ID 4

Details coming
25,000 copies
———-
Maya Kosa / Sergio da Costa
Token ID 5

Maya Kosa | Locarno Film Festival (locarnofestival.ch)
Sergio da Costa | Locarno Film Festival (locarnofestival.ch)
25,000 copies
———-
Denise Fernandes
Token ID 6

Details coming
25,000 copies
———-
Cyril Schäublin
Token ID 7
Details coming
25,000 copies
———-
Nora Longatti
Token ID 8
Details coming
25,000 copies
———-
Yan Hirschbühl
Token ID 9
Details coming
25,000 copies
———-
Elene Naveriani
Token ID 10

Details coming
25,000 copies
Release date: August 8,2022 with NFT reveal at the film festival Aug. 6, 2022.
September
100 years Association of Swiss Archivists VSA-AAS


1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Offset using metallic ink
The Association of Swiss Archivists was founded on 4 September 1922 and celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2022. For our professional community, it’s not just about celebrating this milestone. It is also about clearly reaffirming the important role of archives in the rule of law and democracy, as memories of culture and history and as hubs in the information society. A whole series of events is planned throughout the year. VSA-AAS – An der Quelle: die Schweizer Archive
Designer: Luzian Meier, Zurich
Release date: September 1, 2022
Typically Swiss

1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheet of 10 (sheet has special stickers in the margin)
offset
… the stamp features the Matterhorn, a symbol of Switzerland and one of the best-known mountains in the world. Then there’s edelweiss, the most famous mountain flower of them all. And finally, the alphorn and the herdsman playing it. Typically Swiss stamp | Swiss Post
Designer: Andrea Klaiber, Winterthur
Release date: September 1, 2022
Barryvox – Avalanche Beacons
Series: Swiss inventions


1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cance
Offset and flexo printing
The devices, also called avalanche beacons, are used to locate and rescue people caught up in avalanches as quickly as possible…. Swiss electrical engineer and SAC tour guide Felix Meier played a key role in the development of the device up to its current version, the Barryvox® S by Mammut. The device, which has been improved continuously over more than 40 years, now has a range of up to 100 metres and is able to distinguish between several signals coming from people buried by an avalanche. Swiss inventions − Barryvox stamp | Swiss Post
Barryvox | Mammut Online Shop
Designer: Jürg Glauser, Ittigen
Release date: September 1, 2022
Jungfraujoch research station
1 stamp, souvenir sheet of 10, FDC, cancel
Offset, 4-colour
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe | jungfrau.ch
Designer: Monika Rohner, Zurich
Release date: September 1, 2022
150 years Feldkirch–Schaan–Buchs railway line
Joint issue
1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
Offset, 4-colour
Special celebration will be held at Levis rectory, Mutterstrasse 73, A-6800 Feldkirch for the stamp presentation on Friday, 9 September 2022, 1 p.m. Celebrations will take place Friday, 9 September 2022, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to Saturday, 10 September 2022, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This is a three country joint series with Austria and Liechtenstein. Read more about it here Celebrating 150 Yrs of the Feldkirch–Schaan–Buchs Railway.
Designers: David Gruber, Vienna and Marion Füllerer, St. Pölten
Release date: September 9, 2022
Public Transport


1 stamp, sheet of 10, FDC, cancel
Offset, 5-colour
Designer: Thomas Hirter, Bern
Release date: September 1, 2022
100 years Swiss Air Traffic Control


1 stamp, souvenir sheet of 10, FDC, cancel
Offset, 4-colour
Designer: Angelo Boog, Dietlikon
Release date: September 1, 2022
Popular Sport of Hiking
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Offset, 4-colour
Designer: Nicole Vögeli, Zofingen
Release date: September 1, 2022
Gertrud Kurz 1890–1972

1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Offset, 4-colour
Designer: Stephan Kuhn, Eglisau
Release date: September 1, 2022
November
Christmas – Sacred Art




2 stamps, FDC, cancel, 2 maxi cards
“Host mill” window in Bern Cathedral
Designer: Bernard Schlup
Photography: Kantonale Denkmalpflege Aargau, Aarau (110 stamp),
Alexander Gempeler, Bern (230 stamp)
Release date: November 3, 2022
Christmas – Festive Season



3 stamps, 4 FDCs, cancel, 3 sheets of 10
Designer: Sarah von Rickenbach
Release date: November 3, 2022
Lego Day

Designer: ©2022 THE LEGO GROUP, Munich
Release date: November 3, 2022
Stamp Day


1 stamp on sheet, postcard, 2 FDCs, 2 cancels
Designer: Dieter Röösli, Swiss Post
Drone photographer: Felix Brodman
Release date: November 3, 2022
Pro Juventute – Stay connected

2 stamps, FDC, cancel, booklet
Designer: Petra Schmid
Release date: November 3, 2022
See all of the 2021 releases here Swiss stamps for 2021
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