WWF stamps

I expect these to be unpopular - surely issuing stamps for animals not native to the country is one of the signs of a 'dodgy' country? Elvis next?

Do we think this fulfills the Europa theme?

But, at the same time, I do really like the design of the MS, though I don't know if everyone will agree with me.

I'd be pleased if I was a thematic collector but am disappointed from a GB point of view.

Hi Stewart,

Good to hear from you. Care to flesh that out a little more?

Julia

I do like this set, it sends out an important message about wildlife conservation. The number of stamps, however, makes it appear, again, that Royal Mail is really only interested in making money. The MS is nice, too. More a thematic subject, but a worthwhile one and, I'm sure, a popular set to be.

I cannot see how this set could be part of a Europa theme, none of the critters are European. It is a WWF set. The fact that they're not 'British' animals doesn't bother me. What is a purely 'British' animal anyhow? You share your wildlife with your European neighbors.

The stamps are nice, but not artistic (except for the MS), just photos of animal faces. The design is good, each face looking out at you. But this kind of thing has been done before, not very original.

All - in - all, I give this set my thumbs up, so much better than those stupid and god - awful royal family stamps or those stupid House of Tudor etc sets of recent times.

Will I be buying them, No! But a lot of grand parents will, and that may start off an interest in stamp collecting in some kids, so that, I guess, is good.

Edited By Alex on 21/01/2011 05:34:48

Edited By Alex on 21/01/2011 05:36:43

I had not realised until I read Guy Thomas's editorial (April Stamp Magazine) that the "Spider Monkey" stamp on the WWF miniature sheet also incorporates the 2011 Europa theme.

I think that this shows a certain disrespect to the Europa "forests" theme: notwithstanding the merits of increasing awareness of the threat to the Amazon. Surely this issue could have focused on preserving forests in Europe, as Guy has suggested. I recognise that some people will argue that whatever the work done by (say) the Woodland Trust it alone cannot make up for the destruction of the Amazon: but as Europeans, we can (in theory) at least control what we do in Europe to preserve forests; and this was the opportunity to focus on that.

I've heard from members of Royal Mail's philatelic team before that they like to take a sort of 'sideways' tack at doing the Europa theme. I think there's virtue to that; it means they're not doing the same as everyone else.

But I do agree this is a step too far, and that, really, this was a chance to do a great homegrown issue.

I see where you're all coming from with the GB thing, but it reminds me of a time when I was rather miffed with the RSPB when they started promoting work in Indonesia and other places, even hopping on the rainforest bandwagon at one stage I believe. But when I let rip in front of a Bird Wildlife (or whatever they're called) lady, she said: protection of animals doesn't stop at a country's borders. For birds this is of course very true, as we may protect the swallows with all our might, only to have them gunned down in Malta or Africa. Take global warming and worldwide illegal trade in fur and ivory and what not into account and it becomes clear that the protection of wildlife IS a worldwide thing and therefore the critical status of the african elephant should matter to people in GB and for that reason this animal appearing on a GB stamp does have its merits, for what it does is pormote the good work of the WWF, and the WWF aims to strive for a better world (including GB!).

Is Royal Mail making a donation to the WWF?

Good question, I don't know, will ask.

To get a look at how at least one other country treated the Europa theme, take a look at Switzerland's.

http://www.stampmagazine.co.uk/albums/member_photo.asp?a=15021&p=252031