1070. 🇸🇱 Hundreds Die In Sierra Leone Tragedy But Stamperija Carries On Regardless.

What better subject to feature on a "stamp" for impoverished and tragedy-hit Sierra Leone than a luxury cruise ship?

  🇸🇱 In the week of terrible news from Sierra Leone of the death of hundreds of people in another natural disaster which has occurred in that tragic country, we are not surprised to find that the notorious Stamperija has had the brazen bad taste to announce the release of another collection of exploitational paraphilatelic products which provide the company with a financial profit at a cost to Sierra Leone's good name.

  The products take the usual form of sheetlets of 4 different "stamps" and 10 accompanying "miniature sheets", the subjects of which have very little if anything to do with Sierra Leone. The featured subjects are:- Sledge dogs, Dinosaurs, Lighthouses, Cruise ships, Motor cycles, Horse-drawn transport, Mail transport vehicles, Icebreakers (ships), Public transportation and the 60th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik 1. 

  The date of issue is stated to have been 28 July 2017. Rating:- 0.

  If I were ever contemplating spending my money on any of these dubious products I would certainly change my mind and send the money as a donation to one of the charities which is helping with the relief efforts in Sierra Leone rather than help to fill the Stamperija bank account.

757. Jersey Post Offering £445 Worth Of "Commemorative Sheets" For Sale.

  Yet more stuff from Jersey Post. A "Commemorative sheet" of 20 "Jersey Crest" stamps was issued on 12 May to commemorate the Centenary of the Muratti Vase which is an annual inter-insular football competition involving Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney. The stamps have labels attached to them which feature motifs relevant to the subject. The cost of this item is £12.50. Currently Jersey Post has 40 commemorative sheets dating back to last year for sale on its website with a total cost of approximately £445 (plus tax!) - they don't seem to be selling them very quickly! I wonder why. 

  Not content with all that, Jersey Post intends to issue a set of 8 stamps and an accompanying miniature sheet on 7 June 2016 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Jersey Old Motor Club. The cost of this large set will be £6.41p for the stamps and £2 for the miniature sheet (plus - of course - tax) making a grand total of £8.41.

  The issue was designed by Interabang and Andy Gresley and lithographed with additional silver metallic ink. Rating:- ****.

  It isn't often that a postal administration or a philatelic bureau will give its customers a free gift but Australia Post has done just that. A free imperforate $1 miniature sheet is being distributed to those customers who signed up to become a Collectables Newsletter subscriber. The design features the stamp which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the introduction of decimal currency in Australia.

  The card which is sent with the miniature sheet also informs the collector that they will receive the Australian Philatelic Bulletin in digital format, "exclusive offers and Collectable products and deals", access to collecting tips and article, "access to the digital gallery" and "details of the latest stamp events".

  Thank you, Australia Post, for my free gift.

  There are a number of issues from Royal Gibraltar Post Office to mention:-

    19 February 2016 - 90th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II - 1 x £5 stamp. Designed by Stephen Perera and lithographed by Lowe-Martin. Rating:- **. See also Blog 715.

  

  16 May 2016 - Centenary of the Battle of The Somme - 5 stamps. Designed by Stephen Perera and lithographed by Cartor. Rating:- ***.

  16 May 2016 - Fifth wedding anniversary of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 1 miniature sheet. Designed by Stephen Perera and lithographed by BDT International Security Printers. Rating:- **.