Description

Miniature sheet of six stamps, issued on 2 November 2024, to celebrate the life of John Francis Campbell (1821-1885), an author and scholar better known as Iain Òg Ìle or Young John of Islay.

The Campbell family had owned Islay since 1726, before growing debts meant that Young John’s father had to sell up. Nevertheless, Iain Òg Ìle’s connection to the island endured, and his four-volume bilingual Popular Tales of the West Highlands – which involved an immense amount of research – is considered the definitive record of Gaelic folk tales.

Comprising two each of 25p, 50p and £1 values, this set has been issued as a miniature sheet comprising a se-tenant (3×2) block of all six stamps.

Separately, the stamps have also been released in sheet format, one comprising five strips of the first three values, and the other including five strips of the remaining three stamps. In total, 300 sets have been produced. A pair of first day covers has also been released, featuring a watercolour painting by Campbell of Elcho Rock, Islay.

Islay stamps creator Andrew James is responsible for the design of these stamps, using images taken from the book Lamplighter and Story-Teller: John Francis Campbell of Islay 1821-1885, published by the National Library of Scotland in 1985.

U/M / Unmounted Mint / MNH / Mint Never Hinged.

About Islay

Islay is an island (population 3,228) in the Inner Hebrides, approximately 20 miles from the coast of mainland Scotland. It is also 25 miles from the coast of Northern Ireland. Islay is famous for its whisky as well as for being home to many bird species, including wintering geese. Until 1493, Islay was part of the Lordship of the Isles, whose capital was based at Finlaggan Castle.

In November 2017, the island’s first local stamps were issued to commemorate 250 years since the building of the Round Church in the village of Bowmore, and were issued partly to raise money for the Church of Scotland. Four further issues appeared during 2018, and several new sets have been produced each year since. After a pause for most of 2021, an attractive new issue, celebrating Islay Folklore, appeared in January 2022, with another in November 2024.

The stamps are Cinderellas with no postal function, but are labels designed to accompany standard Royal Mail postage stamps on mail for the UK mainland. Used examples can be found on cover bearing a dated “Bowmore – Bogh Mor” postmark.

Though the stamps are essentially fantasy issues, there is a strong local angle in that they are designed and produced by a former island resident, Andrew James. Furthermore, all relate to aspects of island life, and feature original photographs or artwork.

Past and current issues can be purchased - usually for the same prices as in our shop - via the Islay Stamps website.