Black history stamps

In celebration of Black History Month UK, rare stamp and collectibles dealer Stanley Gibbons will be hosting an exhibition based on the stamp collection of the award-winning African-Caribbean creative, Jon Daniel.

The collection, originally inspired by the lyrics of Public Enemy’s, ‘Fight The Power’, features in the October edition of Creative Review's exclusive publication, ‘Monograph’ and will form part of a wider exhibition being held at Stanley Gibbons flagship store.

The thematic exhibition showcasing stamps, autographs and memorabilia of the African Diaspora has been given some heavyweight support from the design community in the form of author and cultural commentator, Stephen Bayley. He has often been quoted expounding the design qualities of stamps, stating in a press interview last year that,

“They involve a whole range of creativity, within clear disciplines, not least dictated by their size. So by collecting stamps, you are, at a fraction of the cost of collecting other forms of art, gaining access to a vast international archive of design.”

The Africa Channel – Sky 268, is to be the exhibition’s exclusive broadcast partner and will be airing the animated promo currently in production by Jon’s team, comprising Graphic Animator, Dave Daniels and Composer, Nicholas Brown, with music production support from the East End’s Premises Studios.

Stanley Gibbon’s spokesperson Louise Reynolds said,

“We hope the exhibition will encourage a new audience to look at stamps in a different light; appreciating them for their intrinsic design qualities and as an historical point of reference as recognised by the 50 million collectors and philatelists worldwide”

Jon Daniel commented,

“It is a real pleasure to work with such an amazing and highly dedicated team of professionals, not only to realise this exhibition, but also the production of the promo film which will help take the message of the exhibition beyond a traditional audience and across the digital landscape”.

Simon Woolly of OBV stated,

“What can I say about Jon Daniel! He is one of the most creative minds of his generation. Back in the 90’s he helped put OBV on the map with his brilliant posters, now he is leaving his indelible mark on the world of stamps. Black culture and a sense of justice beautifully scream through.”

Post-Colonial: Stamps of the African Diaspora opened at Stanley Gibbons, 399 Strand, London on Saturday 1st October and runs until Saturday 29th October. For those unable to attend, the exhibition will also be available via the Stanley Gibbons website: www.stanleygibbons.com

Shanade Johnson