Darwin Day is a global celebration of science and reason held on or around February 12, the birthday anniversary of evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin.
2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth.
In his On The Origin of Species, published in 1859, Darwin outlined how life evolved through natural selection over millions of years and these British Post Office commemorative stamps - issued on 10 Februrary 1982 in the centenary year of Darwin's death - each celebrate a different area of Darwin's study.
15 1/2 pence: The giant tortoises of the Galapagos islands;
19 1/2 pence: The Dark Marine Iguana and the Land Iguana of the Galapagos islands;
26 pence: The Cactus Ground Finch and Large Ground Finch from the Galapagos islands now known as Darwin's Finches;
29 pence: Prehistoric skulls.
The stamps were designed by David Gentleman and printed in photogravure by Harrison and Sons. The Stanley Gibbons stamp references are 1175 to 1178 inclusive.
This crazy envelope surely has to win some kind of prize for its eccentric mix of British commemorative and definitive stamps from many different years and issues! Posted on 7 October 2003, it carries the following stamps (running clockwise):
11 1/2p - Policeman Directing Traffic issued on 26 September 1979 as part of the 150th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Police set;
63p – Ballyroney, County Down from the Sub-Post Offices set issued on 12 August, 1997 to mark the centenary of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters;
65p – Spiral Hat by Philip Treacy issued on 19th June, 2001 as one of four Fashion Hats;
68p – Deep reddish lilac and silver Tudor Rose regional issue which were in circulation from 2001 -2002;
2p - Myrtle-green with 2 phosphor bands (Queen Elizabeth II decimal definitives issued between 15th February 1971 and 6th February 1996) ;
63p – Peter Cook who was featured in the British Comedians set issued on 23 April, 1998;
1/2p - Turquoise-blue with 2 phosphor bands and gutter advertisement (Queen Elizabeth II decimal definitives issued between 15th February 1971 and 6th February 1996);
65p – Very Dry from the Weather set which featured four quadrants of a barometer that joined together on the miniature sheet.
Merry Christmas from Penny Black 1840! I have just made this little video of the 1973 British commemorative stamps for Christmas telling the story of Good King Wenceslas - Good King Wenceslas, the Page and the Peasant.
The stamps were issued as a se-tenant strip with a slightly higher value 3 1/2 pence stamp issued separately.
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