774) Owls: A set of 10 stamps depicting five Owls - Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Little Owl (Athene noctua), Tawny Owl (Strix aluco), Short-eared Owl ( Asio flammeus) and Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) issued by the Royal Mail U.K. on 11.05.2018:
About Owls:
This Stamp issue by the Royal Mail, U.K. celebrates the beauty of five iconic birds, both as adults and juveniles. Owls have been regarded with such fascination over the ages. These stamps explore their remarkable characteristics, like hearing, eyesight, plumage and distinctive calls.
The selected species of owls are common to the UK. Although, Royal Mail has frequently issued stamps on a variety of birds, stamps have rarely been issued featuring owls.
The selected species of owls are common to the UK. Although, Royal Mail has frequently issued stamps on a variety of birds, stamps have rarely been issued featuring owls.
To that extent, this Royal Mail Stamp issue is a prize possession in my Stamp collection.
The Presentation Pack titled "Royal Mail Mint Stamps - OWLS" contains stamps on five varieties of Owls - Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Little Owl (Athene noctua), Tawny Owl (Strix aluco), Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) and Long-eared Owl (Asio otus).
The 10 stamps are of two types representing 5 adults and 5 juveniles of the five species of owls covered in this set, all having First Class values.
The Technical Specifications of this Stamp Set are:
Issue Date: 11.05.2018
Issuer: Royal Mail, UK
Size of Stamps: 35 mm x 37 mm
Values: 1st Class (x 10 Stamps)
Process: Lithography, Self-Adhesive
Printer: International Security Printers
The Technical Specifications of this Stamp Set are:
Issue Date: 11.05.2018
Issuer: Royal Mail, UK
Size of Stamps: 35 mm x 37 mm
Values: 1st Class (x 10 Stamps)
Process: Lithography, Self-Adhesive
Printer: International Security Printers
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A First Day Cover (FDC) showing the 10 stamps issued in the set along with a description of the five species of owls covered in the stamp set
The FDC is titled "Owls - Royal Mail First Day Cover" at bottom left. The stamps are cancelled with a Hand-stamp which is showing an owl in the centre and is dated "11.05.2018".
These Special Mint Stamps have been issued as two se-tenant strips of five stamps each, all having first class values
Strip one features majestic images of five adult owls - Barn Owl, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Short-eared Owl and Long-eared Owl.
Strip two features the same species - as endearing juveniles.
The individual stamps:
The above two stamps, both having first class values, show images of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) - of an adult and two juveniles
Barn Owl (Tyto alba) - 1st Class value Stamps:
Barn Owl is also known as the "white owl" or the "screech owl". It is the UK's most familiar Owl species - most often encountered as a ghostly shape caught in car head-lights, or heard, rather than seen with its unearthly screaming call.
The Barn Owl hunts over all kinds of open country and tends to nest on ledges inside farm buildings. It is unmistakeable with its white and gold plumage, heart-shaped face, long legs and small dark eyes.
While it is mostly nocturnal, it can also be seen out hunting on summer evenings. It hunts in flight, flying into the breeze for uplift and often hovering before making its strike - its prey mainly located by sound.
Barn Owls became very rare following widespread use of the insecticide DDT in the 20th Century, but their numbers are now recovering.
The above two stamps, both having first class values, show images of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) - of an adult and two juveniles
Little Owl (Athene noctua):
This small, long-legged Owl with its bright yellow eyes, white-spotted brown plumage and fiercely frowning expression is common in Continental Europe, but not native to the UK. It was deliberately introduced in the UK by ornithologists in the 19th Century and has spread widely across Southern Britain.
Little Owls inhabit woodland and parkland with open grassy areas nearby, and are often seen by day, perched in pairs close to their nest site (usually a hole or crack in a mature tree), or flying from tree to tree with a distinctive bounding flight action. They hunt mainly insects, dropping on them from a perch or chasing them on the ground.
The Little Owl is the National Bird of Greece and has long been recognised as the emblem of Athene, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom.
The above two stamps, both having first class values, show images of the Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) - of an adult and one juvenile
Tawny Owl (Strix aluco):
The lovely quavering hoot of the Tawny Owl is a familiar night-time sound in woodland, parks and even gardens, but although this is the UK's most common owl, it is rarely seen, being strictly nocturnal.
Tawny Owl pairs stay in their territories year-round and over time build up a great familiarity with the terrain, with favourite hunting watch-points, roosting sites and a nest-site that will be used every year (called an "active nest site"). The owlets leave the nest while still downy and flightless and climb to safe spots among the branches, where they ait for food from their parents.
The largest of the UK's owl species, the Tawny Owl is a powerful predator and other owls number among its prey. It is found throughout Great Britain, but is absent from Ireland.
The above two stamps, both having first class values, show images of the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) - of an adult and a juvenile
Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus):
A true nomad, the Short-eared Owl is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world, occurring on all continents except Antarctica.
Individuals may travel great distances, stopping to breed where feeding conditions are good. In Britain, the species breeds mainly on upland moor in the North and West, but becomes more widespread in winter and more numerous, as birds arrive from mainland Europe, sometimes in large numbers.
A diurnal owl of open moorland and rough grassland, it hunts on the wing, patrolling back and forth close to the ground, and dropping feet-first upon voles and other prey. In some winters, half a dozen or more may be seen "working" the same field, with coastal areas particularly likely to attract large numbers.
The Short-eared Owl is a long-winged owl with grey-brown and sandy, heavily streaked plumage, paler than the similar Long-eared Owl and with yellow, staring eyes and tiny ear tufts.
A true nomad, the Short-eared Owl is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world, occurring on all continents except Antarctica.
Individuals may travel great distances, stopping to breed where feeding conditions are good. In Britain, the species breeds mainly on upland moor in the North and West, but becomes more widespread in winter and more numerous, as birds arrive from mainland Europe, sometimes in large numbers.
A diurnal owl of open moorland and rough grassland, it hunts on the wing, patrolling back and forth close to the ground, and dropping feet-first upon voles and other prey. In some winters, half a dozen or more may be seen "working" the same field, with coastal areas particularly likely to attract large numbers.
The Short-eared Owl is a long-winged owl with grey-brown and sandy, heavily streaked plumage, paler than the similar Long-eared Owl and with yellow, staring eyes and tiny ear tufts.
The above two stamps, both having first-class values show images of the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) - of an adult and a juvenile
Long-eared Owl (Asio otus):
This beautiful, slim, orange-eyed owl is named after its large, cat-like ear tufts, which help to break up its outline as it roosts by day.
In the UK, it breeds mainly in upland pine forests, but in Ireland (where it does not face competition from Tawny Owls), it is more common and lives in a wider range of habitats.
Though the Long-eared Owl nests in woodland, often in the old nest of another bird, it prefers to hunt on adjacent open countryside. Its prey mainly comprises small rodents, which it catches either by pouncing from a perch or by searching in flight. The waiting chicks beg with a distinctive "squeaky-gate" call.
Long-eared Owls disperse widely in winter, with residents joined by visitors from the Continent and form winter roosts (which may hold ten or more birds) in thick scrubland.
Post Cards:
Each of the stamps also features on a set of individual Post cards. Two representative samples of the Post Cards included in this set are given below:
This beautiful, slim, orange-eyed owl is named after its large, cat-like ear tufts, which help to break up its outline as it roosts by day.
In the UK, it breeds mainly in upland pine forests, but in Ireland (where it does not face competition from Tawny Owls), it is more common and lives in a wider range of habitats.
Though the Long-eared Owl nests in woodland, often in the old nest of another bird, it prefers to hunt on adjacent open countryside. Its prey mainly comprises small rodents, which it catches either by pouncing from a perch or by searching in flight. The waiting chicks beg with a distinctive "squeaky-gate" call.
Long-eared Owls disperse widely in winter, with residents joined by visitors from the Continent and form winter roosts (which may hold ten or more birds) in thick scrubland.
Post Cards:
Each of the stamps also features on a set of individual Post cards. Two representative samples of the Post Cards included in this set are given below:
A Post Card issued on the Long-Eared Owl (Adult) Stamp
A Post Card issued on the Barn Owl (Adult) Stamp
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas territories::
Central Bank of Ireland issues:
Bank of England Banknotes:
1) A Ten Pounds Banknote issued on Charles Dickens (Writer) also depicting a cricket match from his novel "The Pickwick Papers"
2) A Ten Pound Banknote issued on Charles Darwin (English Naturalist) also depicting the HMS Beagle, Darwin's magnifying glass, a humming-bird & flora that he may have seen on his voyage.
3) A Five Pounds Banknote issued on George Stephenson (an Engineer) also depicting "Rocket" his Railway Locomotive and Skeene Bridge on the Stockton Darlington Railway (1825) - since withdrawn
6) Jane Austen: features on the second circulating Polymer Banknote of 10 Pounds denomination to be released on 14.09.2017
Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes):
1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote
Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:
1) The Ryder Cup Commemorative Banknote: A 5 Pounds Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2014
British Crown Dependencies:
1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey
2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey
3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey
4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain
5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015
7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend
8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie
9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda
10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence
11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003
12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint
13) Currency of the Falkland Islands: A British Overseas Territory (BOT) Pounds & Pence
14) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The first Coin in the Series of four coins: the Rock-Hopper Penguin
15) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The Gentoo Penguin:Second Coin in the series of four coins issued on 20.06.2017
17) The Siren: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A silver Double crown (Four Pounds) : First coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures) issued by the Pobjoy Mint UK on 03.04.2018
18) The Minotaur: British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT):A Silver Double crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Second Coin in the Series titled :Mythical Creatures: issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 15.06.2018
19) The Isle of Man: A British Crown Dependency (BCD) Coinage: A newly introduced Collector's circulation Currency Coinage Collector's set received from the Tower Mint, London, UK issued in April 2017
20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf og British Virgin Islands in July 2018
20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf og British Virgin Islands in July 2018
Famous Battles:
1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK)
2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK
3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK
Gold Coins:
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark
2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark
Silver Coins:
1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns
British India Coinage:
1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835
2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress
3) Edward VII: King & Emperor Coinage
4) George V King Emperor Coinage
5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage
Other British Royalty:
1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown
3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK
4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013
5) The British Empire: A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)
6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark
British Coinage:
1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)
2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin
3) Transformation of the Two Shilling Coin (Florin) Coin into the UK Ten Pence
4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone
5) The new 12-sided One Pound UK Coin introduced into circulation on 28.03.2017
Commemorative British Coinage:
1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era
2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK
3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)
4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel
5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his " Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK
The Queen's Beasts Coin Series, UK issues:
Links: Postage Stamps:
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