The Queen has given her approval on a special collection of postage stamps, all of which feature greeting card designs from six UK greeting card publishers.
Christmas card designs from Belly Button Designs, Cath Tate Cards, Carte Blanche Greetings, Ling Designs, Marina B Designs and Peartree Heybridge star on the 10 different stamps that form the Isle of Man Post Office’s The Spirit of Christmas collection. In addition, Angela Chick, C for Design, Cinnamon Aitch, Deckled Edge and Mia Hague have also contributed imagery for the stamps’ marketing material.
This significant stamp collection is the result of a wonderful collaboration between the Isle of Man Post Office and the GCA, that was sparked by a radio interview with award-winning independent card retailer Chris Beards of Mantons Cards, based in Port Erin on the island.
“I’ve loved greeting cards since I was five years old ever since I saw my Grandma’s delighted reaction to a card I had sent her. So, I was more than happy to be interviewed on air talking about card sending,” said Chris.
Fortuitously, Maxine Cannon, general manager of stamps & coins for the Isle of Man Post Office, and voracious greeting card lover, heard the interview and contacted Chris to garner ideas of further promoting card sending. “I was happy to put Maxine in touch with the GCA, of which we are a member, mentioning to her that it was the Association’s centenary this year,” adds Chris.
With Maxine’s mission in life “to get more people writing by hand” and a deep-held belief in the power of sending cards and letter – “As I tell everyone who will listen, you can’t put a text message on the mantelpiece!” is one of Maxine’s mantras – she approached Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA with the idea of dedicating its Christmas stamp collection to celebrate Christmas cards, featuring actual Christmas card designs.
“I loved the idea immediately and so, with no time to waste we issued the challenge to members to submit designs,” said Amanda. Geoff Sanderson, who was curating the GCA’s 100th anniversary exhibition extended his brief to collate the submissions.
“We received over 30 submissions with the final selection, collectively fanfaring the impressive design diversity within our industry,” said Geoff.
As Amanda added “The GCA’s 100th Anniversary has been all about both celebrating the last 100 years, but also looking to the future. This collaboration with the IoM PO, who share our passion for greeting cards, is such a great opportunity to showcase some of our members’ designs while igniting consumer interest in Christmas card sending in an innovative way,” said Amanda.
The stamps will officially launch on 28 October backed up by a full -blown marketing and PR campaign, but those attending the GCA Centenary AGM and Conference tomorrow (Thursday 17 October) will be privy to a sneak peek.
Top: Stamp designs from Carte Blanche, Ling Design and Belly Button Designs.
