Europa 2021 Endangered National Species
The Calf of Man and 70th Anniversary of the Manx National Trust
Introduction
On 12 April 2021, the Isle of Man Post Office issued a set of 10 stamps which simultaneously commemorate:
- The Europa 2021 “Endangered National Species” stamp theme, with one stamp (NVI “EU”), illustrating a Manx Sheerwater (Puffinus puffinus) chick;
- The 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Manx National Trust (MNT); and
- The Calf of Man nature and conservation reserve, which is managed by the MNT.
Five of the stamps have a 1st NVI, for use on postage within the Isle of Man and valid for post to the UK; and five stamps with the “EU” NVI.
There is an additional stamp featuring a bird; and this is the EU stamp illustrating the Calf of Man Bird Observatory and the Common Whitethroat: more of which below.
The consultancy EJC Design developed the stamp illustrations, each stamp being available in sheets of 20. The printing is in offset lithography and each stamp measures 40.00 x 31.66mm in portrait format. The set is available in a presentation pack (limited to 1,500), and the usual First Day Cover (FDC) is available (limited to 2,250). The Europa 2021 stamp also has its own FDC and miniature sheet (see below). Isle of Man Post Office has also issued a set of postcards to accompany the stamp issue, which carry enlarged illustrations of each stamp.
