Guernsey Christmas Stamps 2007

Deck The Halls

The Christmas story may have originated far from the northern European outpost that is the British Isles, but it has taken on a highly distinctive character in this part of the world. For that we can thank the Victorians, who enjoyed a bit of sentimentality and romance and set about enshrining the story of the birth of Christ in the British countryside and towns.

Our set of 12 Christmas stamps this year is divided into six 'cool' ones and six 'warm' ones, the former reflecting the weather (although choosing the most magical of conditions - snow - rather than the more typical rain and wind), while the latter echo the log-fire and candlelight atmosphere indoors.

The cool six, instantly recognisable through being on blue backgrounds, encompass some of the Christmas items associated with being outdoors; from a snowflake to a pine cone, a natural and freely available decoration that can be found in abundance in Guernsey, in the lanes and on the cliffs.

Families have their own special places where they gather nature's embellishments, which are particularly appropriate for dressing up our farmhouses and granite cottages, while providing a softening and ageing effect to newer properties. In this case the pine cone is dusted with snow, although often nowadays, of course, they are sprayed silver or gold. We have a crystal angel and the classic bauble here bears a leaf motif. The cool set reflects the stylish end of Christmas decorations, far removed from the cheerful but somewhat gaudy fashions of a few years ago.

The warm six, suffused with red that suggests the flickering flames of a big fire in the grate, have the feeling of a wonderful Christmas Day spent unwrapping presents and cracking walnuts after a big lunch. We have a gold bauble, a glittery, spiky star and a gold bell from the tree, along with the fairy traditionally perched on top of it. There are some candles with a few sprigs of holly, and a lavishly-ribboned present.

The images are the work of Karl Taylor Photography, whose ability to create atmospheres from inanimate objects never ceases to amaze us.

Product Information

 

First Day Cover

 

Here we are offering a first day cover where the set of stamps are affixed to two unaddressed, specially designed envelopes and are cancelled with a special pictorial first day postmark.

Inside the envelope is an information card including details of the background behind the stamps and this stamp issue.

Specification

 Date of issue:            25 October 2007

Photography:             Karl Taylor Photography

Printer:                       Österreichische Staatsdruckerei GmbH

Values:                      27p (x6), 32p, 37p, 45p, 48p, 50p, 71p

Process:                    Offset lithography                

Stamp size:               31mm deep x 26mm wide

Paper:                       110 gsm unwatermarkedPVA adhesive

Perforation:               14.75 x 14.5

Cylinder:                     A