Presenting a set of six stamps celebrating 40 years of Culture Vannin
Isle of Man Post Office is honoured to issue this creative set of six stamps designed by illustrator and artist Jay Cover in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the beloved Culture Vannin, where all aspects of Manx Culture are at its core. Each stamp represents the six pillars of Manx culture, particularly highlighting the exceptional and fundamental work that Culture Vannin has undertaken in the revival of interest and support for Manx Language and Culture over the last forty years.
Visit https://culturevannin.im/ for more information about their exceptional history of supporting and promoting everything that is Manx.
Jay Cover is a Manx-born illustrator and artist, currently based in UK. After studying Foundation Art and Design in 2000 at The Isle of Man College under Ian Coulson, Jay moved to Yorkshire to study BA Visual Communication at Leeds College Of Art. In 2011 Jay moved to London where, alongside his illustration practice, he took a job as an associate lecturer at Camberwell College of Arts, where he worked for five years.
Jay continues to hone his craft with a variety of projects including an impressive global client base such as Camden Town Brewery, Pinterest and Sunday Times.
“I’m delighted to continue my work with Isle of Man Post Office, especially being invited to help celebrate and commemorate Culture Vannin’s 40th anniversary. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Culture Vannin on a couple of projects and I’m continuously inspired by their output and dedication to maintaining Manx culture” Artist Jay Cover
The stamps cover six key topics of cultural support selected by Culture Vannin representatives themselves that best describes and embody the work they have undertaken over the years. The cultural activities include: archaeology, industrial development, architecture, art and crafts, history and law, language and literature, music, folklore and folk-dance and the number 40 appears to mark their years of activity.
The illustrations draw from Manx cultural iconography and can be combined into one long frieze resulting into many different sequences. The visual concept of the issue is to portray Culture Vannin carrying the Island’s culture and history to the population of the Isle of Man and the wider world, hence the movement of those depicted in the artworks.
The four colours used are derived from Manx tartan and the stamps present a host of characters in the spirit of enthusiastic and slightly mischievous Manx faeries (or the Mooinjer Veggey in Manx) running to transport Manx culture to the people of the Island.
Stamp 1, Supporting Language & Literature (73p)
One character is shown with a banner reading “Gaelg Aboo” (‘hooray for Gaelic’ in Manx). Another character is reading a book by T.E Brown, renowned Manx poet and author.
Stamp 2, Supporting Archaeology & Industrial Development (£1.04)
A construction worker, miner and an archaeologist are depicted.
Stamp 3, Supporting History & Law (£1.38)
Tynwald hill, one of Isle of Man’s most distinctive landmarks and the annual meeting place of the world’s oldest continuous parliament is being carried aloft followed by a Deemster wearing his legal wig and robes and holding the key to our government building the House of Keys.
Stamp 4, Supporting Architecture, Arts & Crafts (£1.91)
An artisan and famous Manx artist Archibald Knox are seen carrying the architecturally distinctive Douglas Sea Terminal building. The pencil being carried by a beret-wearing artist features the letters ‘RBV’ which stands for Reih Bleeaney Vanannan, the highest award for Manx Culture available from Culture Vannin.
Stamp 5, Supporting Natural History & Ecology (2.16)
Assorted birds and a rabbit accompany a farmer riding a famous Manx loaghtan sheep while carrying a herring. The herring was traditionally vital to our fishing industry and has great folk symbolism, the metaphor
Stamp 6, Supporting Music, Folk-Lore & Folk-Dance (£2.57)
A Manx folk dancer leads a ship-carrying Norseman, to a tune played by the flautist.
| Design | Jay Cover |
| Text | Culture Vannin |
| Printer | Cartor |
| Format | 2 Sheets of 30 Stamps |
| Process | Offset lithography |
| Colours | 4 spots |
| Paper | PVA gummed 110 gsm |
| Perforations | 14 per 2cms |
| Stamp Size | 45.79 x 24mm |
| Stamp Set | 6 |
| Date of Issue | 4th July 2022 |
| Limited Editions | Presentation Pack 1000; First Day Cover 1500 |
Product Code: ABJ31
Product Issue Date: 4th July 2022
This six stamp collection showcases the work of the talented artist and illustrator, Jay Cover. Having previously worked with Jay on previous stamp collections, Chinese Year of The Ox and Manx Folk Traditions, we were delighted to have Jay’s support again on this issue, in designing a set of stamps that celebrates Culture Vannin’s 40th anniversary.
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Product Code: ABJ41
Product Issue Date: 4th July 2022
Stamp 1, representing Language & Literature is proudly shown on the cover of this four-page glossy folder. One character is shown with a banner reading “Gaelg Aboo” (‘hooray for Gaelic’ in Manx) while, another character is reading a book by T.E Brown, renowned Manx poet and, author.
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Product Code: ABJ91
Product Issue Date: 4th July 2022
Each one of the six stamps from this collection is presented here on the cover of this deluxe vibrant citric orange envelope. This bold and bright cover features Jay Cover’s fun and original illustrations embodying Manx culture and everything that Culture Vannin represents.
The stamps are cancelled with a special first day of issue postmark. Inside you will find an informative issue text about the stories of the stamps, the artist and Culture Vannin.
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