SEPAC 2007 Sea Guernsey Mint Set
Beautiful Corners Of Europe
The idea of similar communities taking part in special events is a long-established one. It makes sense for them to share ideas and feel a sense of partnership with an element of competition, because both of those things are healthy and can help communities to develop in many ways.
In recent years Guernsey has been competing in the Island Games, which pits our sportsmen and women against others of a similar standard, and while SEPAC, the Small European Postal Administrations Co-operation, does not consist solely of islands, the one landlocked member, Liechtenstein, is similar in other respects.
Small communities have a strong identity and often a keen desire to prove themselves on a wider stage. At Guernsey Post, for instance, we have high standards and aim to produce the very best quality stamps and associated products, the equal of anywhere in the world. And the enthusiastic way in which our products are received suggests that there are collectors all over the world who appreciate our efforts.
The other members of SEPAC no doubt have similar objectives. In addition to Liechtenstein there is Jersey Post, our neighbour in the Channel Islands with whom we have a traditional rivalry and more recently a degree of alliance, along with Isle of Man Post. Indeed we have longstanding philatelic relationships having produced a joint issue with both islands. Members further afield are Aland, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland and Malta, each one with its own characteristics but plenty in common.
For this first joint project each administration has produced stamps on the theme of scenery, something of which we are all proud and on which part of our success depends, certainly as far as tourism is concerned.
Our six designs feature the work of Karl Taylor, Alex Wallace and Nick Després; one of the island's most creative, dynamic and respected photographic teams, and with whom we have worked several times in the past.
As might be expected, the sea features strongly here. The set kicks off with St Peter Port Harbour (32p), in many ways the hub of Guernsey and constantly alive with both freight vessels and passenger ferries from the south coast of England and France. The view looks across the harbour to the south, through the masts of some of the thousands of yachts that visit us every year.
The 37p value shows a serene Rocquaine Bay on the west coast, with Fort Grey, once known as Rocquaine Castle before being rebuilt as a Martello Tower and now housing a shipwreck museum. The fort guarded the bay and therefore the south-west part of the island against invasion, while the presence of the museum testifies to the treacherous nature of the coastline, which was still regularly claiming victims until shipping lanes were introduced in the 1970s to keep the unwary, the overconfident and the plain unfortunate well out of the way.
The 45p stamp, which bears the SEPAC logo, shows Point Robert, a picturesque lighthouse perched on a cliff on our 'little sister' island, Sark, which is part of the group known as the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
Islands at Dusk is the title of the 48p value, which shows tiny, privately-owned Brecqhou as seen from its larger neighbour, Sark, a peaceful place with no cars, no bustle and almost no sense of time.
The power of the sea is suggested on the 50p stamp, which shows a frothy tide swirling around the wooden poles (groynes) put there to give some protection to the sea wall at Vazon.
Finally, on the 71p we have Fontenelle Bay, not one of the better known names, nor the kind of place where you will find people swimming or lazing in the sun, but a lovely, sweeping arc of smooth pebbles, home to diverse flora and fauna as studied in detail in our recent Ramsar set.
Product Information
Set of mint stamps
Our beautifully illustrated set of mint stamps (otherwise known as unused) is supplied securely in the same pristine condition as when they left the printer.
Cancelled To Order (CTO)
All mint sets are available for cancellation either with the Philatelic datestamp or Fine Used with the Postal datestamp. If you require a cancellation, please send a message and any instructions or preferences at the time of purchase.
SPECIFICATION
Date of issue: 1 October 2007
Photography: Karl Taylor, Alex Wallace, Nick Després
Printer: Österreichische Staatsdruckerei GmbH (OesD)
Values: 32p, 37p, 45p, 48p, 50p, 71p
Process: Offset lithography
Stamp size: 26.8mm deep x 45mm wide
Paper: 110 gsm unwatermarked PVA adhesive
Perforation: 13.5 x 13.75
Cylinder: A
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