Britain's most spectacular commemoratives, No34: 1999 Settlers' Tale 63p
Celebrating immigration to Britain, this stamp is a veritable riot of colour, if not easily understood until you take a closer look.
Its main icon is a glorious hummingbird, typically associated with tropical regions such as the Caribbean. Within the bird’s multi-coloured breast you can make out an immigrant’s face, whilst in the background is a naval chart and compass rose.
The tiny bird’s startled look, and its depiction against the vastness of the ocean, can be read as a metaphor for the anxiety of the immigrant, travelling a great distance from home to make a new start on British shores.
Design: Gary Powell.
Printing: lithography by Walsall.
