Channel Islands Liberation

Following the liberation of the Channel Islands representatives from the islands pressed the Post Office for ways to rejuvenate their tourist trade.

Among the options were separate definitives, or at worst a special postmark. The idea of postal autonomy for the islands was even mooted. Fearing similar requests from the Isle of Man, possibly even Scotland and Wales, an idea considered was a new definitive series to include symbols representing all regions of the United Kingdom. While Harrison and Sons, the stamp printers, developed the concept, it was felt such a major project could not be achieved in the short term.

What was achievable was the release of two special stamps, 1d and 2½d, dedicated to the Channel Islands, for release on the third anniversary of Liberation. The design would focus on vraicing, or seaweed gathering.

From the designs submitted by the artists approached, those by John Minton, local artist Edmund Blampied, and J R R Stobie, a staff artist with Harrisons, were preferred. Essays were produced and shown to The King, who selected the ideas of Stobie and Blampied, adopted for the 1d and 2½d respectively.