"Regional" stamps for the Islands
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Surprisingly, the first ideas for “Regional” stamps were suggested shortly after the end of the Second World War. The Channel Islands had been liberated from German occupation on 9 May 1945 and they wanted to revive tourism. A way of doing this was for Jersey and Guernsey to have their own postage stamps.
However, this meant there would need to be stamps for other countries within the United Kingdom – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – and the Isle of Man. It was decided to have six designs showing the coat of arms of the country or region, together with the head of King George VI (as pictured left) but in the end this did not go ahead.
Stamps for "Regions" of the British Isles
In 1956, it was agreed that stamps would be issued for the various “regions” of the British Isles instead. Only one stamp was to be issued for each of the islands – Guernsey (including Alderney and Sark), Jersey and the Isle of Man.
The Guernsey committee decided that the Guernsey Lily and William the Conqueror's crown (taken from a coin) should be included in the design. Local artist Eric Piprell designed the final 3d stamp. An alternative design of his was used for the later 2½d value.
For Jersey the Island Mace was to be shown vertically plus the Arms of Jersey, very similar to the arms of England featuring “leopards”. Foliage should be included to represent agriculture, together with rays of the sun.
To be included on the Isle of Man stamp were the Three Legs on a Shield (the Arms of the Kingdom of Man), and the ring-chain pattern characteristic of the Manx runic crosses.
View issued stamps and unaccepted designs from:
Or move on to "Regional" stamps for Wales.
Go to main Lions, Leopards, Unicorns & Dragons page
