ISLES
FOUR sets of limited edition collectors’ commemorative stamps were yesterday launched by the Guyana Post Office Corporation in honour of United States President, Barack Obama, Rock and Roll Icon, Elvis Presley and two others signifying China’s diverse culture.

Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, who formally launched the collection in the lobby of the GPO’s centrally located headquarters in Georgetown, bemoaned the seemingly disappearing pursuit of stamp collection in Guyana.

He further expressed the hope that with the introduction of the commemorative stamps that philately (the collection and study of postage stamps, postmarks, and related materials; stamp collecting) would be reinvigorated.

Mr. Hinds recalled that in times past, post offices in Guyana and around the world were ‘cutting edge’, but in today’s world with technology being what it is, post offices around the world now have the challenge of finding things to make it still a significant part of society.

The Prime Minister noted that one such area is that of Philately, and through the commemoration of individuals, events and incidents that may be of significance.

He added that the launch of the stamps is owing to Guyana’s membership and the approval of the Universal Postal Union.

“Of course we have the very new President Obama in the USA, and we all know what a significant change his election to the Presidency of the USA indicates, and in much the same way… that Elvis Presley meant, maybe not so much for us but for the USA in particular, he meant a great change,” Mr. Hinds observed.

On the other hand, he opined, the Chinese stamps seem to be on the opposite end, they tend to indicate certain constancy and certain traditions.

“So here for me, we have the ever present contradictions between change and constancy and tradition,” Mr. Hinds observed.

He reiterated that with the launch of the four stamps celebrating international personalities and culture, the GPO is again reaffirming its position as a member of the UPU and a part of the international arena.

He however, expressed that the Corporation is still very much a Guyanese entity, and as such will pay due diligence to its Guyanese heroes and culture with the launch of a number a local figures very soon and events.

Expanding on the collection to celebrate local culture and icons, Post Master General (ag), Henry Dundas, said that one such will be in honour of the local Rotary Club’s 50th anniversary in Guyana and another in honour of the momentous opening of the Takatu Bridge.

He said the latter is at present being printed and will be done in time for the official opening ceremony, which is as yet not known.

Speaking on the launch of the two American and Chinese stamps, the Post Master General said, “we are glad to be associated with the launching of the stamps, the first African American President and of course Elvis Presley being a singer of international renown and of course the Chinese stamps”

“ While they may not really be associated literally with Guyana in terms of have a Guyanese character, it shows the willingness on the part of the Guyanese community to embrace people of all culture and history so in that sense we are glad to be associated with the launching of these stamps”, Mr. Dundas expressed.

He added that soon, the GPO will launch a collection of stamps to commemorate the Guyana Scouts Association, in celebration of the Jamboree festival this year.

Very shortly too, there will be a stamp to honour the world renown and self proclaimed King of Pop, Michael Jackson, Dundas revealed.

The Post Master General also expressed that the GPO is trying to encourage people to get involved in stamp collection again.

“A stamp is like a roving ambassador for a country, everywhere the stamp goes it tells something about our history, about our culture.

“So we are inviting parents to bring their children down to get involved in stamp collecting, school teachers could bring their students down and of course persons who would have been stamp collecting for years we want to have them come again”, Post Master General Dundas appealed.

Meanwhile, Charge D’Affaires of the American Embassy, Karen Williams, speaking on behalf of the US Ambassador, John Jones, said that they feel very honoured.

She added that it is very significant gesture which illustrates the close relations between the US and Guyana, adding that the choice of the two American figures to be depicted on the stamps brings to mind an interesting comparison between the two Americans.

“With Elvis Presley as the worldwide Rock and Roll legend, I wanted to find some commonalities between our President and the King of Rock and Roll, and it turns out that there was an article written that describes Barack Obama as the Elvis Presley of politics.

In terms that Elvis Presley revolutionised music to create Rock and Roll, President Obama has revolutionised politics, and it’s not just about the music itself or the politics itself, but about the way it’s done,” Ms. Williams observed.

Charge D’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Fan Yingjie, also expressed his Government’s appreciation for the honour, in the absence of Chinese Ambassador, Zhang Jun Gao.

“I am very proud to say that more and more Guyanese people are interested in the Chinese culture. I hope that through this … that Guyanese people would learn more from China and will promote the Chinese culture here”.

Conveying the sentiments of the Chinese Ambassador, Jingjie said that the Embassy hopes to continue the friendly relations between the GPO and the Government of Guyana to enhance cultural exchange between the Chinese and Guyanese people.

The stamps can be purchased at the Philatelic Services centre, located in GPO building, North Road entrance.

The Barack Obama and Elvis Presley stamps both depict the likeness of the President and the late Musician, and can be purchased for G$225 and G$160, respectively.

One of the two Chinese stamps is in honour of the most celebrated painter, Wang Hui, who in the late 17th Century played a key role in reinvigorating past traditions of landscape painting.

An artist of protean talent and immense artistic ambitions, Wang Hui developed an all-embracing synthesis of historical landscape styles that constituted one of the greatest innovations in the arts of late imperial China.

The other, illustrates the Peony flower, which is among the longest-used flowers in oriental culture and is one of the smallest living national emblems in China. It is also known as the “flower of riches and honour” and is used symbolically in Chinese art.

Both of these stamps can grace your collection or signify the start of what is considered a most distinct pursuit, for G$100 each.