Norvic Philatelics - GB New Stamps and Special Postmarks
Christmas: the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible - 8 November
2011
The
King James Bible has been described as “the noblest monument of English
prose”, which shaped the way people write and speak English. Now 400
years after its publication Royal Mail celebrates the anniversary on this
year’s Christmas stamps. Seven stamps will be issued which draw on
significant events from the Nativity inspired by verses from the Gospels
of Luke and Matthew.
Since 2006 all Christmas stamps are standard definitive size except for
the 1st and 2nd Class Large stamps where the 1st and 2nd Class images are
repeated but with more detail revealed on the wider format stamps. All
Christmas stamps are self-adhesive.
The two 2007 Madonna stamps
will also be reissued this year to provide a more traditional
religious image.
 
  
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Details
of designs:
2nd
Class
– Joseph
visited by the Angel
Inspired
by
Matthew 1:21 where the angel tells the sleeping Joseph: ‘And
she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name
Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins’
1st
Class
–
Madonna and Child
Inspired
by
Matthew 1:23, ‘Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and
shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name
Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us’
68p
–
Baby Jesus in the Manger
Inspired
by
Luke 2:7, ‘And she brought forth her
firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid
him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the
inn’.
£1.10
–
Shepherds visited by the Angel
Inspired
by
Luke 2:10, ‘And
the
angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people’.
£1.65
Wise
Men and Star
Inspired
by
Matthew 2:10: ‘When
they
saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy’.
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Madonna - 2007 stamps reissued
The two Madonna & Child stamps feature two classic paintings
of the image, printed by De La Rue on self-adhesive paper in
sheets of 50.
2nd class - William Dyce, c. 1827.
1st Class - The Madonna of Humility, Lippo di Dalmasio, c.
1390-1400.
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Background to the stamps and
production
For many, perhaps the most important and
lasting contribution of the King James Bible has been to the shaping of
the English language itself. Commissioned by James I in 1604, he hoped
that this new translation would secure peace and stability in religious
matters following growing tensions between Anglicans and Puritans.
The
arrangements
for the translation were more sophisticated and complex than for any
previous English Bible. Six ‘Companies of Translators’ were appointed,
each consisting of about nine leading scholars and churchmen, who were
all allocated a specific section of the Bible to translate.
Appearing in 1611 the new Bible was slow in rising to fame, and it was not
until the late 17th century that its remarkable qualities began to be
recognised. By the beginning of the 18th century, the King James Bible was
being hailed as a religious and literary classic. Yet even today, many still
prefer the 1611 translation to its more modern rivals.
Many of its distinctive sayings have found their way into our everyday way
of speaking, with more than 200 phrases such as ‘the
apple
of my eye’, a ‘den of thieves’ or ‘the land of the living’ have become
part of modern English.
Technical details:
The stamps were designed by Together Design with artwork by Peter
Malone/The Artworks. The sheet stamps & MS are printed in
gravure by De La Rue Security Print in sheets of 50. The individual
stamps are 20 x 24mm (30 x 24mm large) self-adhesive; the 115 x 102mm
miniature sheet is conventionally gummed. Booklets of 12 x 1st class and
12 x 2nd class stamps will also be sold - technical details to be
confirmed.
Smilers Sheet
The Smilers® Sheet contains 20 stamps: 8 x 1st class, 8 x 2nd class and
2 each of the two airmail rate stamps, 68p & £1.10 (initial
selling price £10.45). As last year, this arrangement means that,
as last year, there are only two
sets per sheet, rather than 4 in previous years. Collectors of
Smilers singles are advised to place their orders early to avoid
disappointment! On the other hand there are only 4 different label
designs, each containing a verse from the Bible, relative to the
stamp. It will be printed in litho, probably by Cartor Security
Printers.
Product range:
Set of 7 stamps & miniature sheet
Retail booklets of 12 x 2nd or 12 x 1st class stamps
Set of 7 stamps on Post Office FDC
Miniature sheet on Post Office FDC
Presentation Pack containing set of stamps
Set of 8 mint stamp cards (PHQ cards)
Pair of 2007 Madonna & Child stamps
Smilers Sheet: Mint Generic Smilers Sheet
Special postmarks available on the Day of Issue are shown below:
these postmarks cannot be obtained from the PO after 8 November.
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Ref FD1139
Official Bureau postmark |
Ref FD1140
Official Bethlehem postmark |
Ref FD1140NP
Official Bethlehem non-pictorial postmark |
Ref M12339 James House Birmingham
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Ref L12335 Celebrating 400 Years of the King James Bible, Lodnon
EC4 In the Beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
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Ref L12336 Bible Society, Swindon
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Ref L12338
KJV 1611-2011, Cambridge |
Ref M12342 Pereunt Et Imputantur Parish Church of SS
Peter & Paul Wisbech, 900th Anniversary - Norman Foundation
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Ref M12340 Peterborough Cathedral, Cambridgeshire
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Ref M12341 St Martin"s The Bullring Birmingham
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| Ref L12348 Shepherdswell, Dover |
Ref N12350 Stableford, Newcastle
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Ref S12351
Maryhill, Isle of Lewis
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Ref W12352 Wiseman's Bridge, Narberth
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Ref N12344 The Salvation Army, Scarborough Citadel Corps, 130th
Anniversary
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