New Issue: Ducks (GB)

Royal Mail's next issue, due to be released in Thursday, depicts British ducks. A GB issue dedicated to ducks is long overdue. While there have been two Royal Mail stamps depicting ducks these were as part of sets celebrating the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (1996) and farm animals (2005).

1996 Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (19p)

2005 Farm Animals (2005)

It's unbelievable really, as ducks are such a big part of our national history and our culture. There are pubs named after ducks. If there is heavy rain, we say it is "good weather for ducks". They're among the most visible animals in Britain - you can find them on rivers, lakes, canals, and even in the park. Going to the park or the lake to feed the ducks is a favourite pastime of lots of British children. We even talk about "ducks" if someone gets out in cricket without scoring, although it's not something we usually celebrate! Historically, ducks have appeared in British heraldry and folk stories. In the Georgian and Victorian era, ducks and duck ponds became associated with a sense of rural identity and "the quintessential English village". So it is fair to say that ducks have always been a part of British life and they are birds that are well-loved.

All this makes it stranger that, since commemorative stamps started being regularly issued in the early 1960s, we haven't had an issue focused on ducks until now. This is even more bizarre when we think about the number of issues we have had for Star Wars and Harry Potter, or for non-UK based rock bands. At least we finally have such a set and perhaps it is worth the wait?

There are ten stamps in the set (five 2nd class and five1st class) and they show: 2nd class: Goosander, Indian Runner, Mallerd ducking, Mandarin, Call. 1st class: Aylesbury, Pintail, Silver Appleyard, Shelduck, Eider. Design Quality - The design depends on photography and so is not particularly imaginative. However, this works well as the photographs are not only beautiful but show the ducks engaging in different activities. Some of the ducks shown are clearly social birds, some are swimming, some are flying and the eider is looking after her ducklings. They capture realism, and not only the beautiful detail of the birds but the way they live. The very simple design allows the photograph to have maximum impact. 5/10

Theme and Subject Choice - It is an excellent theme and very appropriate for a Royal Mail issue. 9/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - Historically, I don't think there is huge relevance although I have mentioned that ducks were seen on heraldry and appeared in folk tales. Culturally, I think these are very relevant as ducks are birds loved by so many people and probably the most visible and well-liked birds in Britain. 9/10

Innovation and Creativity - There's not much going on here in terms of creativity. Lovely photographs mean that the basic design isn't a problem. 3/10

Collectability - There are a lot of thematic collectors that really like stamps showing birds, so these stamps will appeal to them. Overall, they look fantastic and people generally like beautiful nature photographs. 9/10

Personal Appeal - I really like these perhaps because I have always been a fan of birds on stamps. The photography is very good and I like that all of the ducks are doing different things. This is probably my favourite Royal Mail issue so far this year. I will be buying the set, and I don't buy very many new issues. 10/10

Overall score: 45/60