New Issue: Royal Air Force Association of Jersey 100th Anniversary (Jersey)

Jersey's latest issue is a set of six stamps celebrating the Royal Air Force Association of Jersey' 100th Anniversary. There is also a £5 miniature sheet. Both were illustrated by Harry Milburn, who was inspired by historical RAF recruitment posters. Jersey Post's website states that "each stamp reflects an important element of RAFA Jersey's work". It is interesting that RAFA Jersey was founded in 1925, 18 years prior to the creation of the national RAFA organisation in 1943. It's important to note that RAFA Jersey is a charity that supports "the RAF community" - i.e. past and present members of the RAF and their families. Harry Milburn is a famous illustrator and he has a particular style, which is reflected in these stamps. I think his art suits the vintage look Jersey Post was looking for with this issue. The six stamps show: fundraising (80p), the annual tea party (£1.20), the conference fly-by (£1.35), the longest-serving committee member (£1.90), Brize Norton accommodation (£2.30) and a flight simulator (£3.00).

Design Quality - Overall, I think this is pretty good. The vintage artistic style not only works, but really gives that timeless, nostalgic feel. The only slightly negative point I would make is that the miniature sheet feels like it's separate rather than part of the same set. 9/10

Theme and Subject Choice - It's a major anniversary for a major organisation on Jersey. 8/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - It definitely has historical relevance, but maybe not quite so much cultural relevance. While the stamps' design really helps to give the feeling that RAFA Jersey has made a huge contribution in a century of service, perhaps the stamps don't show RAFA Jersey as a modern organisation that is vital to providing important services to people living in today's society. 6/10

Innovation and Creativity - The artwork is strong and as I have already said works very well. It is visually impacting. But I don't think they are overly creative or innovative. It's fine that the artist was inspired by historic recruitment posters and I really like that. But there was scope for doing more - for example, each stamp could feature a real RAF veteran’s quote or name, preserving history in a "living set", or perhaps the flight simulator stamps could have linked to an interactive simulator experience? 6/10

Collectability - As always with Jersey, there is an element of local history that makes them collectable. 7/10

Personal appeal - I really like stamps about local history and with a military theme, so this ticks all the right boxes for me. I like the illustration style too. 10/10

Overall score - 46/60