On Thursday 19th May 2022, Isle of Man Post Office will issue a set of twelve stamps marking 100 years of the BBC. The stamp set has been designed in collaboration with BBC Studios to celebrate many of the BBC’s iconic programmes – from Doctor Who and Match of the Day to Blue Peter and Strictly Come Dancing.
The British Broadcasting Company was formed on 18th October 1922 by a group of leading wireless manufacturers including Marconi. Manxman Sir Frank Gill played a vital role in the formation of the BBC, convincing six organisations to form under the British Broadcasting Corporation entity. Daily broadcasting by the BBC began in Marconi’s London studio on 14th November 1922. It is now the world’s longest-running, continuous public service broadcaster, and the first to mark its centenary.
The topics were selected by Robert Seatter, Head of BBC History and Glazier Design following research into the programmes most popular with Manx residents. They represent a diverse anthology of the BBC’s broadcasting:
Stamp 1 – The TARDIS from Doctor Who, the longest running sci-fi series in the world, underpinned by some intergalactic explanation: Time and Relative Dimensions in Space.
Stamp 2 – The glitter ball trophy from the light entertainment series Strictly Come Dancing, together with Bruce Forsyth’s immortal catchphrase: Keep Dancing!
Stamp 3 – The Blue Peter badge from the longest-running children’s show in the world, with its famous instruction: Here’s one I made earlier.
Stamp 4 – The BBC News globe, symbol of international communication, with its on-air announcement: Here is the News from the BBC.
Stamp 5 – A heritage Match of the Day ident from the much-loved BBC Sport programme, together with the memorable World Cup 1966 commentary: They think it’s all over… it is now.
Stamp 6 – A stunning alpine parrot from the BBC Natural History programming, championed by Sir David Attenborough, with his important global message: The future of life on earth depends on us now.
Stamp 7 – Blackadder’s ruff with eponymous adder emerging from it from the BBC Comedy series of the same name, together with his wily words: I have a cunning plan!
Stamp 8 – The bust of Queen Victoria from the Queen Vic pub in Albert Square, as featured in the nation’s favourite soap, EastEnders, accompanied by its cliff-hanger theme tune: Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof-Doof!
Stamp 9 – A musical symbol of the BBC Proms, the largest classical music festival in the world, with its open-hearted message: Welcome to the BBC Proms from the Royal Albert Hall.
Stamp 10 – Just one of eight Desert Islands Discs, the show that was recently voted the best radio show ever, with the immortal instruction: Eight tracks, a book and a luxury.
Stamp 11 – The Bitesize logo, celebrating the ground-breaking education service for young people, linked to the words of the BBC mission: Inform, educate, entertain!
Stamp 12 – The iconic Sky at Night presenter Sir Patrick Moore remembered here, silhouetted against the moon, with the words: World’s longest running TV show with the same presenter.
The ‘100 Years of Our BBC’ stamp set was designed by Glazier Design in collaboration with BBC Studios. The stamps contain iconic images from 100 years of world-leading broadcasting, representing comedy to soaps, news to the environment and sport to children’s entertainment. The stamps feature the multi-coloured BBC 100 ident that has been created for the BBC 100th anniversary, as well as subtle graphic references and quotes related to the programme pictured on the stamp.
Robert Seatter, Head of BBC History said: “The BBC is delighted to be marking one hundred years of the BBC with this special set of anniversary stamps for the Isle of Man. Selecting just twelve moments was extremely hard, but we hope we have captured something for everyone – across radio, television and online, and connecting with the range of genres from news and factual programming to comedy, children’s, and entertainment.”
Maxine Cannon, Stamps and Coins General Manager, Isle of Man Post Office said, “The BBC has an indelible place in the hearts of the people of the Isle of Man. 100 years ago Manxman Sir Frank Gill played an integral role in its foundation and today we are well served by the BBC. They maintain a permanent office that generates content for Isle of Man/Ellan Vannin – BBC, Northwest Tonight, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Lancashire and BBC Radio Cumbria as well as a feed direct to the BBC when the occasion demands it. Alongside these specific programmes is the rich range of programmes we have all grown up with and continue to enjoy, informing, educating and entertaining us for an extraordinary century.
The collection can be ordered from: www.iomstamps.com/bbc
