CPS Resource Centre
UK Darwin Set 2009-02-12
Royal Mail has issued, on February 12, 2009, a set of new stamps and a souvenir sheet to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. The stamps also mark the 150th anniversary, November 24, 1859, of the publication of Darwin’s “On The Origin of Species.” The new set of stamps feature a unique jigsaw puzzle type of design for each stamp to demonstrate how the various areas of Darwin’s studies – zoology, botany, geology, ornithology and anthropology – came together to form his theory of Natural Selection.
CartoPhilatelists will be especially interested in the special miniature sheet which features a map of the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin conducted much of his field research. The GBP 2.34 mini-sheet features “four stamps showing some of the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands that Darwin encountered during his voyage as Ship’s Naturalist on the
UK Darwin Mini Sheet 2009-02-12
hydrographic survey ship HMS Beagle. The animals of these isolated islands and how they showed evidence of variation and evolution had a profound influence upon Darwin’s theory of natural selection. The animals are shown against the background of the map produced on the mission.” A press sheet of 12 un-cut miniature sheets is also available for purchase on the Royal Mail web site.
Cuba 2009
Cuba has issued a new stamp depicting Darwin’s voyage in the HMS Beagle. A world map with the route is shown in this new issue. If anyone has more information on this issue, please let us know.
[ There must be other countries which may be issuing similar Darwin Commerative Stamps. Please send us any information on new issues. — web admin. ]
