New Issue: Chinese New Year (Jersey)

As I have reviewed two other Chinese New Year sets from New Zealand and the Isle of Man, Xanthe has said I should also take a look at this one from Jersey. It will be released next week, on 27th January.

This is quite different to the other two and goes to show how different artists are inspired in different ways.

The stamps are designed by Wang Huming and are inspired by traditional Chinese paper cutting and traditional artwork from the time of the Qing Dynasty. The horse in the Fire Horse, and the Year of the Fire Horse only comes around every 60 years. Chinese people see the Year of the Fire Horse as a time of opportunity and optimism.

There is a single £1.95 stamp plus a miniature sheet with a £4.00 stamp. The designs are quite similar but we see Wang Huming has used a lot more colour on the miniature sheet and gone for red and gold with the £1.95 stamp.

Design Quality - The design feels a bit more Chinese than the other two issues I have reviewed. They could easily be Chinese stamps and they feel both exciting and traditional. There is a lot of red and gold, which you think is telling us that these are Fire Horses but actually Jersey has been issuing similar Chinese New Year stamps for several years with similar designs and colours. It works really well. 7/10

Theme and Subject Choice - It is a good subject choice and one of few Jersey issues that isn't about Jersey! It has become a tradition for Jersey to create a new stamp for Chinese New Year. When you do it every year it is challenging to keep it fresh otherwise it can get boring, but this definitely isn't boring! 7/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - People from around the world celebrate Chinese New Yaar, including in Jersey. Of course it doesn't have the same relevance in Jersey as it does in China, but maybe this is a way of Jersey making itself look friendly and international. 8/10

Innovation and Creativity - They feel modern but also a bit traditional. Mixing old Chinese-style art with new style design is very clever. The Fire Horse looks magical. However, it is quite like a lot of the other New Year stamps from Jersey. 6/10

Collectability - Some collectors really like Chinese New Year stamps and why not? They are colourful and for a very special year. 7/10

Personal appeal - I like these because they feel different to the other Year of the Horse stamps I've seen so far, and the stamp on the miniature sheet is so beautiful. They're a respectful way of celebrating another culture. 9/10 Overall score - 44/60