Isle of Man present its firt  issue ‘Art History’ that concentrates on the fortuitous coming together of European artists who were interned on the Island during the Second World War.

Known as ‘His Majesty’s Most Loyal Enemy Aliens,’ these foreign nationals were separated from society, rather than imprisoned, and this unique concentration of talent in a handful of Manx guesthouses yielded a remarkable range of artwork that forms the basis of our stamp issue.

Under kindly captors a number of artists and musicians made the most of their time and some went on to become nationally and internationally famous in later life. Such artists as Kurt Schwitters, Martin Bloch, Ernst Eisenmayer and Hugo Dachinger developed their work to the sounds of the nascent Amedeus Quartet.

Isle of Man commemorate this unique unofficial college with six stamps, a presentation pack and first day cover and are indebted to the Ben Uri Gallery, London, the Schwitters Stiftung Sprengel Museum, Hannover and Manx National Heritage and the Sayle Gallery here on the Island for their expert assistance.

• • Technical Details Design

  Creative Text: Yvonne Cresswell ,Manx National Heritage

• Printer: Lowe-Martin
• Stamp Size: 36 x 36mm
• Colours: 4
• Process: Offset Lithography
• Format: Sheets of 25 Stamps
• Perforations: 14 per 2cm
• Paper: 102gms
• Date of Issue: 24th September 2010

Source: Isle of Man Post

published July 21st, 2010