Silk Pearce stamps its mark on Diamond Jubilee celebrations
Design consultancy Silk Pearce in Colchester has worked with Royal Mail to develop collectors’ products for a striking set of eight new stamps marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The products and stamps go on sale in the UK from tomorrow (May 31).
Silk Pearce has designed a first day cover, two special postmarks and a special presentation pack showcasing the new commemorative stamps that have been designed by Kate Stephens.The stamps are based on black and white and colour portrait photographs taken across the six decades of the Queen’s life as monarch.
The Diamond Jubilee first day cover has been overprinted in mauve metallic ink with a crown illustration and calligraphy by Peter Horridge.
These two design elements have been carried through onto the insert card which features two central images of the Queen travelling on different occasions in the Gold State Coach; one taken in black and white after her coronation and a second in colour from the 2002 Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The stamp presentation pack has been specifically designed to bring a fresh, contemporary feel to some of the world firsts, key dates and striking changes that have occurred during the Queen’s 60-year reign.
The pack unfolds to describe aspects of her ceremonial duties, state visits and family life and has been richly illustrated with archive photography showing the Queen’s multiple roles. The two postmarks for exclusive use on May 31 are based on illustrations of a coach and a ’60 years’ emblem by Peter Horridge.
Alastair Pether, design manager at Royal Mail, said: “Silk Pearce has worked closely with Royal Mail to develop an eye-catching and informative presentation pack and first day cover that we believe will be treasured for generations to come by anyone buying or receiving them.
“Both items have been designed to highlight our new commemorative stamps and to appeal to collectors of any age as the perfect piece of Diamond Jubilee memorabilia.”
Silk Pearce has worked with Royal Mail for over 20 years to design a broad range of high-profile products including recently: four miniature sheets of stamps in ‘The Four Countries of the United Kingdom’ series and collectors products marking the centenary of the UK’s first airmail flight in September 1911.
The consultancy has also designed and produced several UK exhibitions covering specific aspects of UK postal heritage and stamp design.
• PHOTOGRAPH: Silk Pearce creative director, Gail Russell, displays the regal collection
