On 4 November, 2010, An Post issued three commemorative stamps depicting the Annunciation, the Nativity and a festive Robin. For the first time ever, the images on the gummed stamps (the Annunciation and the Nativity) also appear on the new Stamps on a Roll (SOAR) format.

The feast of the Annunciation marks the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he told her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is celebrated on 25 March each year, and occurs 9 months before the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.

The Nativity tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the journey of Joseph and Mary, as they travel from the city of Nazareth to Bethlehem. As there was no room for them at the Inn in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth in a manger, wrapped the Baby Jesus in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in straw.

The robin is a significant symbol of Christmas and there are many traditional and mythical fables of this little creature in the Bible. Robins are one of the most-loved song birds in Ireland. They are small, standing about 7cm high, with a distinctive red breast. The gummed stamps (and SOAR) feature scenes from two stained glass windows – the Annunciation is from the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Aughrim, County Roscommon and the Nativity is from St Brigid’s Church, Dangan, County Roscommon.

The illustration of the robin, from the promotional booklet, was created by Roger O’Reilly and the design of the stamps and first day cover is by Steve Simpson.

Technical Details

• Date of Issue : 4 November, 2010
• Values & Quantities : 55c (2m) 82c (1.8m) 55c
• Self-adhesive promotional (30.29m)
• Self-adhesive strip of 2 (15k) SOAR strip of 2 (20k)
• Stamp Design : Steve Simpson
• Stamp Size : 36mm x 36mm 25mm x 30mm (Promotional) 56mm x 25mm (SOAR)
• Colour : Multicolour with phosphor tagging
• Make-up : Sheetlets of 16 Perforations : 13.5 x 13.5 (Gummed) 11 x 11.25 approx. (SOAR)
• Printing Process : Lithography
• Printers : Irish Security Stamp Printing Ltd. (Gummed stamps) Joh. Enschedé Security Print(Self-adhesive booklets) Label Art Ltd. (SOAR)

Source: www.irishstamps.ie

published November 26th, 2010