Sark to issue first stamps

Sark is to issue its first ever official postage stamps in the next few days.

While the Isle of Sark Shipping Company issued unofficial stamps in the 1980s, these were carriage labels and not valid for postage. Since 1969, the island has used Guernsey postage stamps for its mail.

Sark is finally following in the footsteps of is neighbours Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney in having its own stamps*. It is a really important milestone and I am very pleased to be reviewing its first issues! The very first issue should have been released on Wednesday 27th August. It was created to honour Sark's wartime history and marks the 80th anniversary of the island's liberation. The release date has been delayed as the stamp designs are still with King Charles and are currently awaiting Royal Approval. I won't pre-empt what His Majesty will decide so I will review those stamps if/when they are released.

However, we do know what Sark's first definitives will look like and their first day of issue will be Wednesday 3rd September. These depict Sark's wildflowers and they are very attractive. There are 15 values in the set, from 1p to £4. The wildflowers pictured on the stamps are: Rock Sea Lavender (1p), Violet (2p), Lesser Celandine (3p), Sand Crocus (4p), Red Campion (5p), Primrose (6p), Bluebell (7p), Thrift (8p), Sea Campion (9p), Sheep's-bit (10p), Heath Spotted Orchid (20p), Oxeye Daisy (50p), Honeysuckle (£1), Bell Heather (£2) and Autumn Squill (£4).

I contacted Guernsey Stamps to ask if they could tell me some more about these stamps, the inspiration behind them and what the views of local people are. Guernsey Stamps' Head of Philatelic, Bridget Yabsley, kindly answered all my questions about these historic stamps. “We are incredibly proud to support Sark in issuing its first stamps, which is a historic moment for the island", she said. "The commemorative stamps reflect the character and resilience of Sark’s community and we are honoured to mark this important time in its history. Sark is home to rare species of plants and flowers found in few other places in the world, let alone the British Isles. We expect strong interest in both sets from collectors around the world.”

I asked Mrs Yabsley whether Sark needed its own stamps - after all, it is an island with only 600 residents and one Post Office. She explained that it is very important that Sark's unique identity is reflected in stamps: "Although Sark is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, it has own government (Sark Chief Pleas), and therefore the right—alongside Guernsey and Alderney—to issue stamps that reflect its unique heritage and identity." It seems only reasonable that it should be able to exercise that right in the same way other Channel Islands do. Mrs Yabsley added that "Sark residents are very excited to have their own stamps".

It is an exciting moment for the island, but how many Sark issues can we expect to see? Mrs Yabsley told me that the plan is for two sets a year.

Why were wildflowers chosen as the subject of the first ever definitives? Mrs Yabsley described how the decision was made: "I worked closely with representatives from Sark’s Committee and the secretary of La Société Sercquaise (The Sark Society) to consider suitable themes. Several suggestions were discussed, but the island’s rich and diverse wild flora was felt to offer the best opportunity to create a colourful and distinctive definitive set."

I am very grateful that Mrs Yabsley took the time to answer my questions and that Guernsey Stamps are pleased to have me reviewing their stamps.

So, what do I think of the wildflower definitive set? Design Quality - Simple and effective. 9/10

Theme and Subject Choice - Good choice, reflecting local nature. Wildflowers are a good theme for stamps and especially for Sark's first ever definitives. The flowers on the stamps are all native to Sark. 8/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - It's the first ever definitives for the island. How much more historically and culturally relevant can you get? 10/10

Innovation and Creativity - While this is a nice and quite effective design, it isn't particularly innovative. However, I like the macro photography. 7/10

Collectability - Being the first ever issue for Sark makes them pretty collectable. The wildflowers will also appeal to thematic collectors. 10/10

Personal Appeal - I like them because they reflect Sark's natural beauty. There is no doubt these flowers are very beautiful. I also like them for their historic value. I will definitely be adding these to my collection. 10/10 Overall score: 54/60

*Editor's note: There were of course stamps issued for Jersey and Guernsey during World War II (under German occupation). Stamps for Jersey were issued in 1964, as a region of the UK. Jersey and Guernsey did not, however, gain postal independence and issue its own stamps until 1969. Alderney has been issuing stamps since 1983.