The 2021 issues for New Caledonia stamps may be small in number, but they are interesting. When I started this article, I wasn’t sure what the introduction would look like. To be honest, the number of stamps is so small, I was worried this would be a bit of a hit and run article. And then I spotted the Mahuteau artwork.
“Mail art should be the mainstay of artistic classes up to the baccalaureate!” Jean-Jacques Mahuteau 2020
Artist Jean-Jacques Mahuteau returned with a May release celebrating 50 years of nature conservation, a topic dear to his heart. He began his career in the 70s, designing album covers & working with Rock & Folk magazine. In 1981, he moved to New Caledonia and in 2008 began designing stamps for their post office.
He has created many memorable stamps for both New Caledonia & Wallis & Fortuna, including the beautifully crafted Lunar New Year stamps for Wallis & Fortuna. (See his latest 2021 Year of the Ox issue for Wallis & Fortuna.) He was interviewed by La Monde last year (2020) and you can read his thoughts on stamp artwork here Jean-Jacques Mahuteau: “Mail art should be the mainstay of artistic classes up to the baccalaureate!” (lemonde.fr) Once you begin reading his ideas about philatelic art, you’ll be hooked on his designs.
Award Winning Nature Conservation Stamps
His 2018 Pollinators won the 69th Grand Prix de l’Art Philatélique with a sheet that reflects his passion for nature conservation. He beat out the great engraver Pierre Albuisson’s TAAF stamp Shells of Terre Adélie for the honour, and that is no mean feat. (You can read a little more about Albuisson here So, you like cephalopods – an octopus stamp).
“My main anxiety for a long time has been centered around the abuse of our small planet, which is accelerating”, Jean-Jacques Mahuteau, La Monde July 30, 2020
He also wrote Carnet de Voyage for the Oct. 2019 Timbres Magazine. The article featured both his stamps & water colours. If you can dig up the edition, its worth holding onto.
Odds ‘n Ends
New Caledonia stamps turned into a wonderful adventure of nature, artwork & collectable postmarks. The year started, as usual, with the Kagu styled birds by Sébastien Werling. The FDC & cancel allows the yearly stamps to stand out. The bird is quite endearing for some reason. Maybe it’s the simplicity of the design and bold colours that keep me coming back.
Enjoy the journey to New Caledonia. And apologies if there are spacing errors I’ve missed. My spacebar is not working properly. If you spot one, drop me a comment.
New Caledonia stamps for March
Definitives – Kagu
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
Designer: Sébastien Werling
Release date: March 22, 2021
May
Mushrooms
2 stamps, sheet of 10, FDC, cancel
Photographer: C. Laudereau
Release date: May 4, 2021
50 years of the New Caledonian nature conservation association
1 stamp, sheets of 10, FDC, cancel
Designer: Jean-Jacques Mahuteau
Release date: May 6, 2021
August
Tabou lighthouse
1 stamp, sheets of 10
Designer: Jean-Jacques Mahuteau
Release date: Aug. 18, 2021
September
New ranges of coins
1 stamp
Photographer: Exotic Gardens
Release date: September 2, 2021
October
Kaori of Mount Panié Dayu Biik
2 stamps, sheet of 10
Photographer: J. Le Bars
Release date: October 18, 2021
November
Pan Am Clipper
1 stamp, sheet of 10
Designer: Marie Detree-Hourriere
The Pan Am Clippers – Pan Am Clipper Flying Boats
Release date: November 16, 2021
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