Three new issues from the Channel Islands

There have been three new issues from the Channel Islands this week as Guernsey, Sark and Alderney all released new sets on Tuesday. They are very different from each other but they are all from neighbouring islands and they're all focused on island life (and wildlife!) I thought I should review them together. GUERNSEY: Bailiwick Jellyfish

First up is this set, which shows local jellyfish. All of these are native to Guernsey and the photography was taken by underwater photographer Sue Daly, who has worked on other projects with Guernsey Stamps in the past.

The jellyfish are: Bluefire Jellyfish, Barrel Jellyfish, White Cross, Mauve Stinger, Moon Jellyfish, Compass Jellyfish. Design Quality - The photography is stunning. These are awesome underwater photographs of jellyfish that makes these creatures look magical. Wildlife photography requires a lot of skill and I can imagine it is even tougher underwater. The design is simple but works well because the lettering is in aquatic colours. 8/10

Theme/Subject Choice - Lots of thematic collectors are interested in fish, but there aren't too many jellyfish on stamps. I think this is a good subject choice especially when it is done so well. 8/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - These are very relevant to Guernsey as it is an island and marine life is important. All of these jellyfish can be found around Guernsey. 10/10

Innovation and Creativity - I really love the photography and this is the most creative part of the stamps. 7/10

Collectability - There are people who collect stamps about marine life or nature generally. I also think these will appeal to people who like collecting Guernsey stamps because they always reflect local themes. 7/10

Personal Appeal - I love them and I think Royal Mail should think about creating a set around British jellyfish! 8/10 Overall Score: 48/60 ALDERNEY: Bonne Terre Watermill

The next set I will review is Alderney's interesting issue looking at Bonne Terre Watermill. The stamps have been designed by Wendy Bramall. The mill has been restored in recent years and, in the Guernsey Stamps and Collectables magazine (Vol 12, No 25), there is an interview with Andy Mileham, a volunteer at the mill. It is very interesting and tells us a lot about how the restoration has happened, so I have copied it below.

The watermill has existed since 1236, so it is almost 800 years old! However, most of the current building dates from only 1796, which is more recent but still impressive.

Design Quality - I think the illustrations are wonderful. They are very detailed and work more effectively than photography could. 10/10

Theme/Subject Choice - It's another good choice. The watermill is very local and a great theme from the point of view of celebrating local history and bringing the mill back into use. 9/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - This is very relevant to Alderney's history and heritage. 10/10

Innovation and Creativity - I think these stamps have a lovely design and the artist has been very creative. However, while I admire the artwork I don't think there is much innovation in these stamps. 6/10

Collectability - Many collectors will like these as they focus on local history. 8/10

Personal Appeal - I think these are charming and nicely illustrated, and I particularly like the detail and work that has gone into creating them. I also feel the watermill is a fantastic subject choice and these stamps help people to learn something about the island's history. 8/10 Overall Score: 51/60

SARK: Victor Hugo

Sark's new stamps celebrate the French author Victor Hugo. He lived on Guernsey between 1855 and 1870 and often liked to take trips to Sark. He found the island inspiring. The magazine tells us that "he famously described the island as 'a sort of fairy castle, full of wonders', capturing the sense of enchantment that its rugged terrain and isolation inspired. For Hugo, Sark became both a place of reflection and a source of creative energy, where nature and imagination intertwined to shape his writing. During his visits, he is believed to have stayed on Sark during his time in the Channel Islands, using the island as a place of retreat and inspiration.

"These stamps celebrate Hugo’s deep connection with Sark, illustrating scenes that reflect both his personal experiences on the island and the lasting influence of its landscapes on his literary work. Each design places Hugo within a distinctive Sark setting, evoking the atmosphere that so profoundly inspired him." Design Quality - The stamps are based on paintings of Victor Hugo going around Sark and enjoying the beauty of the place. They use wonderful bright colours, and Sark is made to look really bright - like a place with no darkness! Victor Hugo seems less important than the background that inspired him, which makes me think these are as much about the island as they are about its famous visitor. overall, I think the design is strong and helpfully it adds "Victor Hugo" to the bottom otherwise we might not know who the person in the paintings is. 10/10

Theme/Subject Choice - Victor Hugo was a famous visitor to Sark, so it's it pretty good subject choice for these stamps. What is good is that the stamps haven't just focused on Victor Hugo but on the island landscape and the seascapes that inspired him and some of his work. 10/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - How can I give any less than full marks for a set of stamps commemorating the land's connection to its most famous visitor? 10/10

Innovation and Creativity - Really creative artwork speaks for itself. 8/10

Collectability - I think local people will like these stamps. There will be an appeal to collectors interested in art or local history but while I like these they may not be as popular as previous issues about flowers or Liberation. 6/10

Personal Appeal - I like these mainly because I am awestruck by the artwork! 8/10

Overall Score: 52/60 I have given three very high scores, although oddly the lowest mark goes to my favourite set... which just goes to show that Xanthe's scoring system encourages me to think carefully and proves that judging something fairly isn't always the same as loving it!

It is fair to say that these are three exceptional issues from Guernsey Stamps, so well done to everyone involved in creating them.