New Issue: Seaweed of the North Sea (Belgium)
Another new issue from Belgium is about a different kind of wildlife.
Seaweed.
That might not seem very exciting, but I think seaweed can be as interesting as anything else. It is full of life and it can be a refuge for other kinds of wildlife.
We don't think much about seaweed but it is important. It helps fight climate change because it produces oxygen and also helps with carbon storage. It also helps absorb nutrients and so it prevents the sea getting too acidic. It's useful to other animals but also for humans for food and skincare. So maybe we don't respect our seaweed enough!
There has never been a Royal Mail set of stamps about seaweed but a few countries have had seaweed on their stamps in the past. Here are some examples.
Seaweed is such an important part of nature but it is underrated as a subject for stamps. I think that is a shame, but at least this set from Belgium is showing how important seaweed is and also how beautiful it is. The five types of seaweed are Featherweed, Sugarweed, Bladderwrack, Elongated knotweed and Irish Moss.
Design Quality: These stamps work well as individual stamps and also in the miniature sheet. Each stamp shows a different type of seaweed in the sea with the Latin name in handwriting-style font alongside it. Together they create a bigger picture of the sea with the five types of seaweed. The colourful seaweed contrasts nicely with the dark aqua sea. 8/10 Theme and Subject Choice: It is another set about nature but it focuses on an element of nature that is not well represented on stamps. This is the first time Belgium has issued stamps about seaweed. 9/10 Historical and Cultural Relevance: Seaweed is far more important to our lives than many people think! 10/10
Innovation and Creativity: The way the miniature sheet has been put together is quite creative. 7/10
Collectability: These will appeal to collectors who like stamps about nature or people who collect attractive miniature sheets. I don't know if there are many thematic collectors who are into seaweed as they would not have large collections. 6/10
Personal Appeal: I feel these are very interesting and I don't see many seaweed stamps. The miniature sheet is well designed. The stamps are not too expensive, which helps! 8/10 Overall Score: 48/60
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