150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union celebrated on new stamps

The new stamp issue honours the global impact of the UPU in unifying international postal services by celebrating the rich heritage of Manx postal history. The stamps are all based on rare and historical postal items from the Basil Wood Collection. Maxine Cannon, general manager for stamps and coins at Isle of Man Post said: ‘This collection serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of international cooperation in postal services and the Isle of Man’s significant role in this history.’

Collectors wanting to add the latest stamp issue to their collection can pick up a set of 4 stamps from the Isle of Man Post Office website for just £10.88. 

Above: All the stamps have the same £2.72 value but show rare and historical items from the Basil Wood Collection.

The first of the stamps in this issue depicts an International Reply Coupon from 1907. This 3d coupon was cancelled on 28th March 1908 at the post office on Bucks Road, Douglas. The second stamp shows the first UK commemorative issue, for the British Empire Exhibition of 1924. The stamp is affixed to a 1924 British Empire Exhibition postcard, which shows Peel Castle and Harbour. The postcard was one of thirty-two issued by the Isle of Man Board of Advertising for their Manx Kiosk. 

The third stamp in this issue features a 6d King George VI air letter of 1948, which was issued to commemorate the first Olympic Games held after World War II in London. The final stamp shows an image of a UPU 75th anniversary cover from 1949. The cover shows a complete set of four stamps issued in October 1949, cancelled by a ‘REGISTERED DOUGLAS ISLE OF MAN’ oval. 

Above: One of the stamps depicts the first UK commemorative stamp issue

Philatelic journalist, Richard West MBE said of the set: ‘By simple use of a first day cover, postcard, air letter and International Reply Coupon, these four stamps from the Isle of Man Post Office encapsulate the work of the Universal Postal Union over the past 150 years, facilitating a uniform worldwide postal system.’ 

What is the Universal Postal Union (UPU)?

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) was established in 1874, to streamline international postal services and eliminated the need for individual treaties between countries. The foundational treaty was signed on 9th October 1874 in Berne, Switzerland, by 22 nations and was established as the General Postal Union. It was later renamed the Universal Postal Union in 1878. Today, the UPU is a specialised agency of the United Nations with 192 member countries and plays a pivotal role in exchange of international mail. 

Above: The third and fourth stamps show an air letter and a UPU 75th anniversary cover from 1949