Time to hop into the Jersey 2023 stamp program, just in time for the Year of the Rabbit. Ok, I promise to stop with the rabbit jokes … soon. Promise.  I’ve though a lot about Jersey’s stamps lately, so go grab your espresso and get comfy. 

Jersey starts 2023 with Lunar New Year stamps.  Chinese designer Wang Huming once again supplies the art and designs who first worked with Jersey Post on the Links with China multi-year series.  He and Martin Mörck collaborated on the artwork. It was a stunning multiyear effort starting in 2015 with Links with China – Garden Flowers. This set won 3rd prize at the 12th China Annual Best Foreign Stamp Poll, in competition with 29 countries. 

Bejing based designer Huming continued his artistic partnership with the Lunar New Year series, starting with the 2016 Year of the Monkey.  There are a number of common elements you can find through each stamp. Here’s the set (so far): 

Its an interesting study of one artist’s work through multiple years. One great thing about stamps, is it offers both the artist and the audience a chance to see a progression in design, as well enjoy a panorama of common elements that tie the years together.  Huming uses stylized flowers and traditional red and gold colours to give the animals a cheerful and animated feel.  If you enlarge the stamps, check the small red or gold bar in the lower portion. Each one has an artist’s mark. I can’t decipher what they say, so perhaps a reader can help out on that. But have you spotted what makes the 2023 Year of the Rabbit unique?  King Charles III’s Royal Cypher now replaces Queen Elizabeth’s familiar silhouette. 

I love writing about the history of Jersey, for completely selfish reasons. A large number of my ancestors came from the island and it’s fun exploring it’s history and landscape through stamps. They were sailors, brick masons, butchers and char ladies from St Peter and St. Helier parishes. Whenever a stamp pops up with a special feature or bit of history, I wonder if one of my great, great grandparents or aunts/uncles wandered that street or knew about the event. Stamps have turned into a fascinating way of exploring my own bit of history. 

If you asked me to pick the best of 2022, I’d struggle a bit. But I’d have to go with artist Ian Rolls’ delicious SEPAC – Jersey Food and Drink set. 

Why? I don’t think there is one single reason, other I simply love Roll’s watercolours. This set was a standout for it’s interesting layout and simple charm. 

Enough looking back, time to look towards 2023.  I’d like to thank the fine people at Jersey Post for their support & ensuring I have excellent images to share with you this coming year. The only thing that would make Jersey stamps more fun would be a cryptostamp or two. So, what say you Jersey?

Oh and sign up for my weekly newsletter. Best way to find out when I update this page.

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Cheers & enjoy.
Catpaw

January 

Chinese New Year – Year of the Rabbit
Topics: Lunar New Year

1 stamp, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, sheet of 10, 2 presentation packs 
4 colour offset with gold metallic ink & varnish

A cool feature of this set may be missed by some collectors. The cancel used the same Jade Rabbit pounding medicine image that appeared on China’s Year of the Rabbit stamp this year. The great artist Huang Yongyu  黄 永玉 embedded the graphic in the background of the stamp, so it’s hard to detect. But if you click on the image below, it will show clearly.  If you’d like to read more about this motif, check out The Jade Rabbit’s Medicine and the Moon | The Daily China

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Wang and the China design team describe the date cancel as a “kiss” or a blessing of health on each letter. It is a very familiar design found on antique artworks.  From Jersey Post correspondence.

Designer: Wang Huming
Wang Huming returns for another Lunar New Year set. His artwork has appeared on stamps from Jersey, China and the UN over the years.  He designed part of China’s 2022 Year of the Tiger stamps as well as Jersey’s new year stamps dating to 2016. He currently serves as the Art Director of the Postage Stamp Printing Bureau of China Post

Release date: January 5, 2023

Jersey From the Air II
8 photos of Jersey by air, captured by drone
Topics: landscape 

8 stamps, souvenir sheet, 8 postcards (not shown), 2 FDCs, cancel, 8 sheets, 2 presentation packs (one with souvenir sheet)
four colour process lithography

• Bouley Bay Hill in Trinity  
• Grosnez Castle in St Ouen
• Faldouët Dolmen in St Martin
• St Aubin’s Harbour in St Brelade
• Cliffs near Plémont in St Ouen
• Archirondel Tower in St Martin
• Val De La Mare Reservoir in St Peter
• Manor Farm in St Ouen 

This is the second installment of Jersey From the Air, featuring photographic work from Bam Perspectives. Take a look at Jersey Heritage: Discover Our Island Story while you’re wandering the Internet. Lots of cool information about the island. One day Jersey … one day I’ll visit!

Photographer: Marc Le Cornu of Bam Perspectives
Le Cornu specialises in drone photography, and has won numerous awards, including 2018 Photobox Instagram Photography Awards (PIPAs) sports category and the abstract category of the 2019 Drone Awards at the Siena International Photography Awards (SIPA).

After a 27 year career with Jersey Fire & Rescue Service, ending service as Head of Operations, Marc’s personal qualities and attributes are built on a foundation of professionalism, discipline and safety.  Additionally with previous experience in the architectural field, Marc has an eye for detail and is able to pick out those special architectural details that are often overlooked. About Us | Bam Perspectives | Aerial Imagery Services

Release date: January 28, 2023

February

Post and Go – Farm Animals
Topics: post ‘n goes | animals

6 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack
digital

Designer: Sabrina Luoni
Italian artist Luoni studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera in Milan. Along with freelance work, Sabrina Luoni teaches Natural History Illustration courses at the University of Insubria, Italy. 

Since graduating in the 90s (painting), she has continued learning new techniques and exploring new areas to master. In 2007 she “came across the naturalistic illustration” and later plunged into the world “botanic painting by attending courses and workshops at SBA (Society of Botanical Artists, UK). [Her] watercolours have been selected for the exhibitions of BISCOT (Botanical Images Scotia, Edinburgh) and RHS (Royal Horticultural Society, London).” (About – SABRINA LUONI – artist and illustrator). 

Release date: February 16, 2023

March

SEPAC 2023 – Traditional Markets
Topics:  history | culture

6 stamps, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, presentation pack, 6 sheets of 10, 6 postcards (not shown)

This year’s SEPAC theme, an exploration of tradition markets, features traditional stalls found along Central and Beresford Street markets. These colourful stalls have served Jersey residents for 200 + years.

Jersey’s Central Market and Beresford Street Market are found just a short walk from each other in the town of St. Helier and have been home to Island vendors since the 1800s. Jersey’s Central Market is an outstanding example of a Victorian open market and was built as part of the States of Jersey’s Battle of Jersey centenary celebration. Construction started in 1881 and took two years to complete. The Beresford Street Market is located opposite Jersey’s Central Market and is better known as ‘The Fish Market’. Covering around 10,000 square feet, the market was built in 1841 and restored in 1873, 1936 and again in 1972. Jersey’s markets celebrated with new stamps – Jersey Stamps

Designer: Lauren Radley
Radley designed Jersey’s 2021 Jersey Parishes series.

Release date: March 21, 2023

April

A History of Jersey’s Emergency Services
Topics: history | vehicles 

8 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, sheetlet pack, 8 sheets of 10
offset lithography

Designer/engraver: Martin Mörck
Mörck’s first stamps for Jersey appeared in 2020 when he created the EUROPA – Ancient Postal Routes set  

Release date: April 4, 2023

The Crest of Jersey 2023 Post & Go 

6 stamps

Post & Go stamps are fun to examine up close. The wavy lines embedded in this design are lists of the 12 parishes that make up Jersey. The first Post and Go stamps were issued 2016 and designed by True North. This year’s redesign was done by Jersey Post. 

Canada needs to start creating post & goes!

Designer: Jersey Post

Release date: April 6, 2023

May

EUROPA 2023: PEACE – the highest value of humanity
Topics: Europa 

2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, souvenir sheet presentation pack, presentation pack, 2 sheets of 10
lithography

Jersey artist Ron Mills created the first stamp: “The three ideals of love, unity and hope are represented in the design by the hands of a woman, a  man and a child, blended to create the shape of a dove. The smaller child’s hand, used to represent the dove’s tail feathers, signifies hope for the future of mankind.” Jersey Post Apr. 5, 2023 press release.

Designers Peace knot: Linda Bos / Runa Egilsdottir, Esch-sur-Alzette
Designer: Ron Mills
Ron Mills’ artwork will be familiar to collectors of Jersey stamps. He also designed 2022 100 Years of the Jersey Island Cricket Club,  Jèrriais, the Traditional Language of Jersey and the Harvest of the Sea Post and Goes

Release date: May 9, 2023

June

Judith Kerr (1923-2019) 100th Birthday

8 stamps, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, presentation pack, 8 sheets of 10
lithography with metallic silver litho ink

• The Tiger Who Came to Tea (3 stamps)
• Mog the Forgetful Cat
• The Crocodile Under the Bed
• Mog and Bunny  
• Katinka’s Tail
• Mog and Me

Beloved illustrator and author of children’s books. 

Judith loved to work and was skilful at adapting her output as she grew older by switching from ink to crayons and coloured pencils, which could be more easily rubbed out. She never lost her enthusiasm for the children who read her books or for their parents, many of whom came to her talks in the hope – always rewarded – of getting advice about how to turn their own ideas into stories. She never appeared to flag, despite long signing queues; but she never turned down a stiff whisky afterwards. Judith Kerr obituary | Judith Kerr | The Guardian

This brief bio has a thumbnail sketch of her life. But the Guardian obituary gives far more insight into her life. 

Artist: Judith Kerr

Release date: June 14, 2023

Commemorating HM Queen Elizabeth II – Visits to Jersey

6 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, 6 sheets of 10 
lithography with metallic silver litho ink

 QEII visited Jersey on 6 official visits

• June 22, 1949, Schoolgirl Sylvia Layzell presents Princess Elizabeth with a bouquet of flowers upon her arrival at Albert Pier.
• July 25, 1957, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh are presented with a display of Jersey cattle at Springfield Stadium.
• June 27, 1978, Queen Elizabeth II visits Jersey the year after celebrating her Silver Jubilee. Her Majesty travelled to the Island via the Royal Yacht Brittania and was transported between the ship and Island on the Royal Barge.
• May 24, 1989, Her Majesty visits Howard Davis Farm to see displays about agriculture, finance and youth work. Bergerac actor John Nettles meets The Queen at these events.
• July 13, 2001, Queen Elizabeth II officially opens the new Jersey College for Girls building and meets the students.
• May 9, 2005, Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh visit the Island during the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the Island’s liberation from German occupation. Queen Elizabeth II meets with many officials including the then Bailiff of Jersey, Sir Philip Bailhache.
  from June 6, 2023, Press Release

Designer: Jersey Post

Release date: June 28, 2023

July

150 years of the Société Jersiaise

8 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 2 presentation packs, prestige booklet, 8 sheets of 10, 8 postcards
lithography

• Guy de Gruchy, Author Guy Fortescue Burrell de Gruchy – Jerripedia (theislandwiki.org)
• Roderick Dobson, Naturalist Dobson, Roderick – Person – Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation (eoas.info)
• Joan Stevens, Author
• Emile Guiton, Photographer
• Francis le Seuer, Botanist
• Father Christian Burdo, Archaeologist
• Frank Le Maistre, Lexicographer
• Joseph Sinel, Marine Zoologist

Société Jersiaise – Jersey History, Culture, Language & Environment (societe.je)

Designer: Kevin Pallot

Release date: July 6, 2023

 August

Jersey Dolls House and Miniatures Club

6 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, sheetlet pack, stamp pack, 6 sheets of 10 
lithography

“When Jersey Post asked me to create the photography for their new stamp collection, I jumped at the opportunity. I was asked to photograph close-ups of the miniature objects, but I could see how we could take this even further, by crafting imaginative dioramas. From inception to fruition, I enjoy bringing ideas to a vibrant reality, and this project offered the perfect canvas for my creative ambitions.” Glen Perotte

The club was established in 1998.

The members work diligently to a 1:12 scale, meaning that every foot is scaled down to an inch in the dolls house world. This attention to detail creates some stunningly lifelike items, as represented in the six stamps of this set. Members of the club have made award-winning scenes for national competitions, and they often showcase at various events and galleries around the Island.
Jersey stamps celebrate the magic of miniatures – Jersey Post

Photographer: Glen Perotte

Release date: August 2, 2023

100 Years of Elizabeth Castle as a Historical Monument

4 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, 4 sheets of 10
lithography

Elizabeth Castle | Jersey Heritage

Jerripedia has a good page on the castle A history of Elizabeth Castle – Jerripedia (theislandwiki.org)

Designers: images courtesy of Jersey Archive, Tom Kennedy, Andy Le Gresley and Marc Le Cornu of BAM Perspectives

Release date: August 28, 2023

October

50 Years of the World Rally Championship | Jersey Rally at 40

8 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets, 3 FDCs, 3 presentation packs 
lithography plus spot metallic litho silver and silver hot foil

These scans don’t do the actual stamps justice. It’s difficult to see the silver foil accents (King’s crown, date), which is  shame. As well, the artwork is vibrant. Artist Keith Burn captures a real sense of movement and excitement with his bright colours. 

Motoring art: Keith Burns | Classic & Sports Car (classicandsportscar.com) has an interesting write up on Burns and his art. 

Designer: Keith Burns
Keith Burns
Keith specialises in automotive art. His works have previously appeared on Jersey stamps in 2021 for the Formula 1, 75th Anniversary set. He is also well known for his aviation and space artwork. In 2019 Jersey Post used his artwork for the first time for their 2019 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing series.

Release date: October 6, 2023

November

History of Knitting

6 stamps, 1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 6 sheets of 8

You can read more on this set at Glimpsing Jersey’s fascinating history – knit faster (bittergrounds.com)  

Designer: Chris Wormell

Release date: November 2, 2023

What does Christmas mean to you?

8 stamps, FDC, cancel, presentation pack, 8 sheets of 8, 8 postcards 
lithography plus spot litho metallic silver ink

Jersey Post asked 8 local artists to create a stamp that answers the question “what does Christmas mean to you?”  

Designers:  

• Will Bertram
• Dean Porter
• Glen Fox
• Erin Brown
• Louise Ramsay
• Rosemary Blackmore
• Gabriella Street
• Lauren Radley 

Release date: November 11, 2023

The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

6 stamps, stamp on souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, stamp pack, presentation pack, 6 sheets of 8
lithography with spot simili gold metallic hot foil, souvenir sheet intaglio

Designer: souvenir sheet Martin Mörck
Photographer: Mario Testino

Release date: November 20, 2023