New Issue: The Sky at Night (Jersey)

It's been a while since I wrote a review of a new issue and that is because most of the new issues at the moment are Christmas stamps. I'm leaving them for a special post at the end of the month where i will compare them all. Jersey Post has released a new issue today and my sister really likes it - then again, she is really into space. She can tell you the names of all the planets, all the dwarf planets, the moons of Jupiter and tell you all about the Apollo missions. On the other hand, I am more interested in photography and these stamps are not just about space but are absolutely brilliant photographs.

The stamps' theme is The Sky at Night and all of these photographs have been taken from Jersey. The Jersey Post website states: "[this set] features eight out of this world images that were captured by local Jersey astronomy photographers Neil Mahrer and Gordon Pollock who are part of the local astronomy club founded in 1990." The stamps show: Moon and stars (80p), Grosnez star trail (£1.20), Neowise (£1.35), Aurora puffins (£1.90), Iris Nebula (£2.30), Milky Way (3.00), Straight Wall (£3.90) and Tulip Nebula (£4.85). There is also a miniature sheet containing the £1.90 and £2.30 values.

Personally, I think the image of the puffins against the backdrop of the aurora is the stand-out photograph. However, they are all fantastic and it's fair to say that Neil and Gordon have captured some absolutely stunning images. As I say my sister really loves these and the only disappointing thing is the cost of the set. I would buy them as a Christmas present for her but £23.50 for the set of stamps and the miniature sheet is a bit much. Design Quality - Overall, I can't complain too much. The photography is rightly allowed to be the focus and the stamps are uncluttered, which is good. 8/10

Theme and Subject Choice - Space is a good theme, and the photographs were taken by members of the local astronomical society. 8/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - This is quite difficult. The sky is around us all the time and thinking about "historical and cultural relevance" is a challenge, but I assess all stamps under the same criteria. I think there is some definite cultural relevance with the connection to the local astronomical society and some of the Jersey landmarks featured on the stamps. On the other hand, other pictures could have been taken anywhere at all so I have opted for a moderate seven. 7/10

Innovation and Creativity - The photography is strong and in some cases quite striking. In terms of innovation and creativity I think there was a missed opportunity for doing a bit more here, especially with the miniature sheet. They could have used the background more boldly - for example, adding transparent or semi-transparent overlays of constellations, embedding faint star-chart markings or coordinates, including scientific data (distance, magnitude, catalogue number) blended into the art or perhaps creating different stamps for the miniature sheet and using a panoramic wrap-around design that interacts with them rather than simply framing them. Hidden "Easter eggs", texture effects, holographic foils or glow-in-the-dark phosphor could have been used, but weren't. My mark may seem a bit harsh but if you're going to create a miniature sheet it really has to justify the extra cost and should add something to the set. To my mind it shows a lack of ideas and creativity, which is a shame because otherwise the set would score much higher. 3/10

Collectability - Space-themed stamps are very collectable and high quality photography like this really helps. 8/10

Personal appeal - I'm not into space thematics, unless it is the history of space travel, so this set was not going to score too highly here. However, I do appreciate the excellent photography and the outstanding work of the photographers. Overall it's a nice set, but not one I will be rushing to buy. 5/10

Overall score - 39/60