1524) Christmas 2020, United Kingdom: A set of eight postage stamps depicting classic scenes of the new-born infant Jesus and the Virgin Mary on stained glass artwork within the windows of Anglican churches across the UK: Date of Stamp Set issue: 03.11.2020:
An eight-postage stamps set has been released by the Royal Mail, United Kingdom, which depict classic scenes of the new-born infant Jesus and the Virgin Mary on stained-glass artwork within the windows of Anglican churches across the country.
The beautiful imagery showcases magical and meaningful stained-glass artistry.
The Christmas 2020 Eight-stamp set:
Eight elegant stamps featuring Nativity scenes depicted in the stained-glass windows of Anglican churches across the UK have been included in this set.
Six standard celebrations of the uplifting Nativity story appear on the stamps.
The images showcase the detail and craftsmanship of this highly decorative stained-glass art.
The set includes six standard portrait and two large landscape Special Stamps, as under:
Second Class (and Second Class Large) Stamps - St. Andrew's Church, East Lexham, Norfolk.
First Class (and First class Large) Stamps - St Andrew's Church, Coin Rogers, Gloucestershire.
1.45 Pounds Stamp - Church of St, James, Hollowell, Northamptonshire.
1.70 Pounds Stamp - All Saints' Church, Otley, West Yorkshire.
2.50 Pounds Stamp - St Columba's Church, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire.
2.55 Pounds Stamp - Christ Church, Coalville, Leicestershire.
Stamp Specifications/Technical Details:
Stamp Format: Portrait (standard); Landscape (large); Stamp Size(s): (standard) 24.0 mm x 28.0 mm, (large) 34.0 mm x 28.0 mm; Printer: International Security Printers; Print Process: Gravure; Perforations: 14.5 x 15; Phosphor: Bars as appropriate; Gum: Self-adhesive; Mint: Royal Mail , UK; Year of Stamp set issue: 2020.
Christmas 2020 First Day Cover (FDC) with Tallents House Postmark:
The First Day Cover (FDC) has all eight stamps issued in the set affixed at top right. The FDC features a Nativity scene depicted in a stained-glass window in St Mary's Church, Norfolk.
This First Day Cover (FDC) has eight special stamps affixed thereon, cancelled with the Special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark of Tallents House, Edinburgh dated - "03.11.2020", and is shown together with the Filler/Information Card.
This First Day Cover (FDC) has eight special stamps affixed thereon, cancelled with the Special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark of Tallents House Edinburgh dated - "03.11.2020".
This First Day Cover (FDC) has a Cancelled Set of Stamps affixed to it. The name and address of the purchaser or a person of his choice will be printed in the place shown above, so as to personalise the experience.
The Bethlehem, Llandeilo Postmark (Alternate Postmark) has a winged angel in the centre. The peripheral inscriptions are - "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE. BETHLEHEM, LLANDEILO. 3.11.2020. DIWRNOD CYHOEDDI CYNTAF".
The Special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark is of Tallents House, Edinburgh and is dated -"03.11.2020".
One can also choose an alternate Postmark.
Both Postmarks feature an image synonymous with Christmas in the style of stained-glass art.
While the Tallents House Postmark illustration isa lit candle, that of the alternative Bethlehem, Llandeilo postmark depicts a winged angel.
This First Day Cover (FDC) with the Stamps affixed thereon, cancelled with the alternate Special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark of Bethlehem, Llandeilo dated - "03.11.2020".
The First Day Envelope (FDE):
The First Day Envelope (FDE) features a Nativity scene depicted in stain glass at St. Mary's Church, Norfolk, above the issue title:
The Christmas 2020 Presentation Pack:
The Presentation Pack is a seasonal souvenir including all eight Christmas 2020 Special Stamps featuring stained glass artwork which celebrates the Nativity story:
The Presentation Pack is seen in the above image together with the Cover, Eight Stamps and Description of the Stamp set issued.
The Outer Cover of the Presentation Pack showing all the eight postage stamps issued in the set.
The inner page of the Presentation Pack shows stained-glass windows.
The Description of the images contained on the Stamps is titled - "Illuminating Christmas".
The stamps are presented against a black background to add a stunning illumination effect that enhances the images.
The Presentation Pack has been written by Dr. Jasmine Allen, Director and Curator of the Stained Glass Museum at Ely Cathedral.
Interestingly, the Pack explores the Roman Era origins and techniques of stained-glass artwork, along with the significance of Nativity scenes depicted throughout Christian Art.
The Christmas 2020 Miniature Sheet (MS):
The Christmas 2020 - Miniature Sheet (MS) features stained-glass artwork depicting the Nativity:
The Filler Card/Information Card carries a description of the Christmas 2020 Special Stamps issue.
The Christmas 2020 Collector's Sheet (CS):
The Christmas 2020 stained-glass Nativity scenes have been depicted on 20 Special Stamps alongside labels capturing enhanced sections of the windows and quotes about the art of stained-glass windows.
The stamps are set against the strikingly illuminated stained-glass windows of St, Mary's Church, Norfolk.
The 20 Stamps set in four vertical rows of five stamps each, include -
Eight Second Class, Eight First Class, one 1.45 Pounds, one 1.70 Pounds, one 2.50 Pounds and one 2.55 Pounds Stamps.
Christmas 2020 - 2nd Class Stamp Book:
The stamps included here feature the Adoration of the Magi stained-glass window from St. Andrew's Church in East Lexham:
Christmas 2020 - 1st Class Stamp Book:
Twelve First Class Christmas 2020 Stamps feature the Virgin and Child stained-glass window from St. Andrew's Church in Coin Rogers:
The 1st Class Stamp Book seen together with the 12 stamps included in the booklet.
The Cover of the Stamp Booklet
Christmas 2020 Postcards:
A set of nine postcards featuring enlarged images of the Christmas 2020 Special Stamps and of the Miniature Sheet (MS).
The 10 Postcards with the Stamp and MS images seen all together.
The individual Post cards:
"The Queen's Beasts" Coin Series, UK issues:
8) The White Horse of Hanover: Eighth Coin in the "Queen's Beasts Coin Series", UK: Gold and Silver Bullion Coins kick-started by the Royal Mint, UK in March 2016: The White Horse of Hanover Coin issue date: 24.02.2020
3) Hylaeosaurus, United Kingdom: Third and final Coin in a three Coin 50 Pence Coin Series titled "Tales of the Earth - Dinosauria", brought out by the Royal Mint, UK in five variants - Gold, Silver (x 2 coins) and Cupro-nickel (x 2 Coins): Date of coin issue: 01.06.2020
Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:
2) Ireland: Women's right to Vote - 100th Year Anniversary : A Silver 15 Euro Proof Collector Coin issued by the Central Bank of Ireland on 27.11.2018
3) Irish Myths & Legends: 1) The Children of Lir;2) Cu Chulain; 3) The Omniscient Salmon of Knowledge; 4) Werewolves of Ossory; 5) The Brown Bull of Cooley and Deirdre of the Sorrows: An Annual Mint Set from the Central Bank of Ireland, recreates/celebrates Irish Folk Tales (Issue date: 30.04.2018)
4) Centenary of the "First Trans-Atlantic Aviation", Ireland: A 15 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the central Bank of Ireland and minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Coin issue date: 10.07.2019
Northern Ireland Bank issues:
1) Northern Ireland Polymer Bank Issues: Danske Bank (10 Pounds Polymer Banknotes), Bank of Ireland (5 & 10 Pound Polymer Banknotes) to go into circulation in 2020/21
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
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 Royal Bank of Scotland:
Banknotes from Bank of Scotland:
1) 20 Pounds Polymer Banknote, Bank of Scotland, featuring the iconic Forth Bridge: ii) A Commemorative 20 Pounds Polymer Banknote featuring the Queensferry Crossing Bridge
British Crown Dependencies/Overseas Territories:
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
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
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
20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf of British Virgin Islands in July 2018
21) "The Hydra": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Third Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 07.08.2018
22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018
24) South Atlantic Fauna Coins from Ascension Islands and South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, British Overseas Territories (BOT): (Part 1) : A 2 Pounds Titanium % a 2 Pounds Uncirculated coins variant, feature the Macaroni Penguin issued on behalf of South Georgia & Sandwich Islands (2019), by the Pobjoy Mint, UK
25) South Atlantic Fauna Coins from Ascension Island and South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, British Overseas Territories (BOT): (Part II): A 1 Pound Titanium Coin & a 1 Pound Uncirculated Coin variant, feature the Queen Triggerfish, issued on behalf of Ascension Island (2019) minted by the Pobjoy Mint, UK
26) Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic Explorer: South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands: A 2 Pounds Coin minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK, brought out on 26.02.2019 on behalf of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands in two variants - Silver and Cupro-nickel
27) Concorde, a Stamp set from Gibraltar, A British Overseas Territory (BOT): 50th Anniversary of the first Supersonic Passenger Carrying Airplane, jointly built by France and Great Britain: Stamp set issue date: 20.04.2019
28) Tristan da Cunha (BOT): A Wedgwood "Three Graces" Jasperware 5 Pound Coin: minted in 2018
29) 75th Anniversary of D-Day Landings: (The Battle of Normandy): i) A Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau Stamp set of 4 stamps issued on 08.03.2019: ii) A Limited edition D-Day joint Commemorative issue by British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territory - Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar on 06.06.2019
30) Manannan, the First King of Isle of Man or Mann: A Silver 5 Pounds Coin brought out by the Isle of Man in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich
31) 200th Anniversary of John Keats' "Odes to a ....", Alderney Island: A set of six Postage stamps issued by Guernsey Post which brings out stamps on behalf of Alderney Island - 1) Ode on a Grecian Urn,(48p) 2) Ode on Indolence (65p), 3) Ode on Melancholy (66p), 4) Ode to a Nightingale (80p), 5) Ode to Psyche (90p), 6) Ode to Autumn (98 p): Stamp Set issue date: 24.07.2019
32) Isle of Mann: Celebrating the 200th Birth Anniversary of the Birth of Herman Melville, the author of the classic Moby Dick: A six Stamp Set issued on 22.07.2019
33) "Tatty Teddy" - "Me to You" Bears: Isle of Man Post Office is marketing a special edition of 200 Bears dressed as Santa along-with Tatty Teddy's own stamp and special envelope post-marked "21.11.2019"
36) Royal Mint, United Kingdom (UK): Five new Commemorative Coins to be issued this year (2020) include the: 1) "Bicentenary of the death of King George III", 2) Tokyo Olympics, 3) "Voyage of the Mayflower", 4) "Victory in Europe Day - 75th Anniversary, 5) Agatha Christie's First novel - The Mysterious Affair at Styles":
37) 250th Birth Anniversary of Beethoven: A Commemorative Postage stamp of 1 Pound issued by Guernsey Post, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): Stamp issue date: 21.01.2020
38) Rock Band "Queen", United Kingdom: A new Collector Coin Series titled -"Music Legends": First Coins in the Series minted by the Royal Mint, UK, features the iconic Band on Cupro-nickel (5 Pounds), Silver (1 & 2 Pounds) and Gold (25 & 100 Pounds) Coins: Coins issue date: 20.01.2020
39) "BREXIT" Coins, UK: 50 Pence Commemorative Coins being issued by the Royal Mint, UK: Issue date: 31.01.2020
40) 200th Anniversary of Royal Astronomical Society, United Kingdom (1820-2020): "Visions of the Universe", which include a combo of eight stamps exhibiting contributions to Astronomy made by the RAS and a 50 Pence Coin depicting a Black Hole, with a special commentary on Prof. Stephen Hawking's contribution to astronomy & a 24-page Prestige Stamp Booklet: Stamp set issue date: 11.02.2020
42) "Britannia", United Kingdom: The Annual Gold and Silver Bullion Proof & Uncirculated Coins Series brought out by the Royal Mail, UK: Date of issue: 10.02.2020
44) Celebrating the 25th James Bond Film -"No Time To Die", with Base Metal, Gold & Silver Coins from the Royal Mint, UK: "007"s most challenging mission": 02.03.2020
45) William Wordsworth (1770-1850), United Kingdom's "Most Popular Poet": Commemorating the 250th Birth Anniversary with Gold, Silver and Cupro-nickel Coins from the Royal Mint, UK: Date of Coin Issue: 09.03.2020
46) "United Kingdom Uncirculated Coin Collection - 1983,"UK: A Rare Coin Set from the Royal Mint, UK, containing coin denominations of - One Pound, Fifty Pence, 20 Pence, 10 Pence, 5 Pence, 2 Pence, One Penny and 1/2 Penny released in 1983
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
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 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:
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
4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone
7) Royal Air Force (RAF), U.K. Centenary (1918-2018):A set of four 2 Pound coins issued by the Royal Mint UK depicting four iconic aircraft which have been inducted by the RAF at various points of time - Super-marine Spitfire, Vulcan, Sea King & Lightning II: Coin set issued in 2018
8) 50th Anniversary of the first issue of the iconic 7-sided 50 Pence Coins in the variants of Gold, Silver and Brilliant Uncirculated issued by the Royal Mint UK on 24.09.2019
9) Celebrating the 25th James Bond Film -"No Time To Die", with Base Metal, Gold & Silver Coins from the Royal Mint, UK: "007"s most challenging mission": 02.03.2020
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)
1) The Brixton Pound, UK: Modern world's first novel Urban Local Currency that circulates parallel to the British pound in this district of South London
The Pilgrim "Voyage of the Mayflower":
1) The "Pilgrim Voyage of the Mayflower", British Virgin Islands, a British Overseas Territory (BOT): 400th Anniversary (1620-2020): A $1 Silver Bullion Coin minted by the Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of the British Virgin Islands: Year of issue: 2020
4) Queen Elizabeth II's 90th Birthday: A Souvenir Sheet issued by the Royal Mail, UK featuring four generations of Windsors on 21.04.16
5) 50 Years of Pink Floyd: Two Commemorative Stamp sets (Presentation Sets) brought out by the Royal Mail, UK on 07.07.2016: 1) 50 Years of Pink Floyd: A set of six stamps issued, their most popular studio albums 2) Legendary Live Performances: A set of four stamps issued depicting four of their memorable tours
13) Reintroduced Species: A set of six stamps issued by the Royal Mail, UK depicting UK's successfully restored wildlife including the Osprey, Eurasian Beaver, Pool Frog, Sand Lizard, Large Blue Butterfly and Stinking Hawk's-beard species on 17.04.2018
14) World Post Day Limited Edition of 500 Commemorative Covers, Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory (BOT): Special Cover issue date:n 09.10.2019
15) Forests, Royal Mail, U.K.: Centenary of the Forestry Commission (1919-2019): A set of six stamps issued by the Royal Mail, UK depicting six well-known forests across the U.K. - i) Glen Affric Inverness-shire, Scotland; ii) Westonbirt Gloucestershire, England; iii) Sherwood Forest; iv) Coed y Brenin Gwynedd, Wales; v) Glenriff Forest Country Antrim, Northern Ireland; vi) Kielder Forest Northumberland, England: Stamp set issue date:13.08.2019
18) "The Christmas story", Alderney, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): Alderney Post in association with Guernsey Post has issued this set of seven stamps, designs for which have been made through paper-cutting art: Date of issue: 30.10.2019
23) "Video Games" - Great Britain: A set of 8 Postage stamps brought out by the Royal Mail U.K. featuring Elite (1984), Dizzy (1987), Populous (1989), Lemmings (1991), Micro Machines (1991), Sensible Soccer (1992), Wipeout (1995), Worms (1995) and 2 Miniature Sheets on "Tomb Raider - Lara Croft": Date of Stamp set issue : 21.01.2020
25) "Sealife in the Ramsar Region" managed by Alderney Wildlife Trust, Alderney, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set of six stamps issued by the States of Alderney Post for Guernsey Post featuring a Grey Seal Pup (48 Pence), Shore Crab (65 Pence), Garnet (66 Pence), Beadlet Anemone (80 Pence), Ormer (90 Pence) and Cushion Stars (98 Pence)
27) i) A James Bond Mega issue by Royal Mail, UK, celebrating the 25th Bond Movie "No Time to Die" and presenting all six actors who have acted as James Bond over the years, together with "Q Branch's" path defining gadgets/machines; ii) A combo issue of Royal Mail Stamps and Royal Mint, UK's Gold, Silver and BU Coins
29) The Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland, UK: 700th Anniversary (1320-2020) Commemoration: Four Scottish Definitive Stamps issued by the Royal Mail UK: Date of Stamps issue: 06.04.2020
30) The Romantic Poets, UK: 1) A Combo of 10 Stamps (by Royal Mail UK) and a 5 Pounds Commemorative Coin (by Royal Mint UK), on the 250th Birth Anniversary of William Wordsworth includes the Romantic (Nature) poets - John Clare, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, WilliamBlake, Walter Scott, Percy Bysshe Shelley, William Wordsworth, Mary Robinson, Letetia Elizabeth Landon, John Keats & Lord Byron: Date of stamp issue: 07.04.2020
31) Ancient Postal Routes - Mail Ships, Guernsey, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): A EUROPA set of six stamps brought out by Guernsey Post depicting six Mail Ships that sailed between Guernsey and the United Kingdom: Date of Stamp set issue: 01.04.2020
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very attractive."
It is a well thought of set of stamps, Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very magical and colourful presentation."
Thank you, Trikha sahab.
Delete