Put Your Stamp on Waterloo
June 22, 2015 - Alwyn Collinson in News
Immediately after the Battle of Waterloo, thousands of the soldiers who fought wrote letters – to family, to wives and sweethearts, even reporting the news of Allied victory to the British government. You can read some of those letters in our 200 Objects of Waterloo series.
1815 was 35 years before the invention of the first stamp, the Penny Black, but British soldiers still relied on the post to carry home news of survival, triumph, or tragedy.
Two hundred years after the Battle of Waterloo, The Isle of Man Post Office has partnered with Waterloo 200 to present a set of four pairs of stamps, celebrating the Bicentenary. The stamps depict key scenes from the Battle, showing the events that led to French defeat and featuring magnificent artwork.
Waterloo 200 organiser Mick Crumplin said: “As education lead for Waterloo 200 and a military historian, I was delighted with the Isle of Man’s decision to commemorate one of Britain and Europe’s most important historical events – the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo. The stamps splendidly portray various stages in the action of the 18 June 1815. This issue will remain a treasured memorial for collectors and the general public.”
To find out more, or buy copies of the commemorative stamps:
http://www.iompost.com/stamps-coins/collection/the-battle-of-waterloo-200th-anniversary/
