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:

• Patache Sancta Catalina – The Spanish Head Armada Wreck 1588 – “Folk tradition says a Spanish Armada galleon was wrecked in the south of the Island at Spanish Head. People native to Rushen parish are said to have certain Spanish features after survivors married local women, and even today the term ‘Spaniard’ is often heard as a colloquial term for a Manx person from Rushen.” Isle of Man Shipwrecks – Isle of Man Post Office (iompost.com)
  Learn more about the Spanish Armada: Wreck’s discovery remembered 50 years on – BBC News
• HMS Brig Racehorse – The Skerranes, Langness 14th December 1822 – HMS Racehorse (1806) | Military Wiki | Fandom
• Brig Lily – Kitterland in the Calf Sound 27th December 1852 – 27th December 1852 brig Lily ran aground on Kitterland – 7th Wave (7thwave-iom.com)
• Barque Thorne – Port Jack, Onchan 25th January 1890 – The Barque Thorne Wreck
• Steamship Clan MacMaster – The Calf Sound 30th September 1923 – This site shows it’s coordinates Clan Macmaster | Canmore
• Steam Trawler Cevic – Ballure, Ramsey 26th June 1927 – Cevic – a Fleetwood trawler whose wrecked hull lies at rest on the Isle of Man – Yesterday’s Fleetwood (yesterdaysfleetwood.co.uk)

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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