3 August 2009

'Delayed by storm' - limited postcard project marks 2009 Summer Isles stamps launch

The launch of the 2009 Summer Isles stamps and first day cover - much beloved by collectors all over the world - will be celebrated with a unique collaboration between artist Edward Summerton and writer Don Paterson.

The Summer Isles Post Office is based on Tanera Mor, the only Scottish Island to operate a regular, year round private postal service. At least three times a week, sea conditions permitting, the boat MV. Patricia crosses the Sound of Badenterbet carrying mail for onward transmission by the mainland post office at Achiltibue.

The Summer Isles pedigree as fully fledged postal authority began on the first of December 1970 by arrangement with the Royal Mail when a definitive set of six values ( 1d to 2/6d ) was issued. The Summer Isles post Office has been printing new editions of stamps almost every year since, much to the delight of stamp collectors world wide who are eager to add these unique stamps to their edition.

This year’s set of stamps have been designed by Edward Summerton, of the University of Dundee, and depict images inspired by a fable or story handed down through generations and recorded by Alexander Macleod who lived on the island and died in 1897. The stories are rich in sightings of ghosts, selkies and spooky caves.

To celebrate the launch of the stamps and first day cover, Edward has embarked on a collaboration with the acclaimed writer Don Paterson, producing a very limited edition of postcards that come with very specific delivery instructions.

'The postcard project is called 'delayed by storm' and takes it’s title from the rare Summer Isles frank, sought after by collectors world-wide,' explained Edward. 'The Royal Mail, by comparison, only has a 'delayed by strike' frank.'

'The edition of postcards will be available from the 6th of August, but collectors will have to wait until a storm passes the Summer Isles before the boxed set will be dispatched to the mainland. Myself and Don are testing the patience and devotion of collectors with this almost anti-internet buy - the norm these days is for a 24-hour dispatch when you order something. But for this, buyers won’t know when they will receive their box - it could be within a week, or months! Or, given the nature of Scotland’s summer weather, it could be sent off within minutes of the order being received.'

The boxed set of 12 postcards with screen-printed images by Summerton and hand-stamped text by Paterson will be only be available in an edition of 50, with each box signed and numbered by the artists.

The collaborative post card project will be launched on the 6th August alongside the release of the stamps and first day cover.

Edward Summerton was invited to design this year’s edition of stamps following the success of his collaborative publication 'Bird of the Devil' which included images originally sourced in the Summer Isles.

To order a boxed set of cards, contact:
Summer Isles Post Office, Aird-na-Goine, Tanera Mor, Achiltibuie, Ross-Shire IV26 2 YH Scotland?Tel/Fax 01854 622272 bill.wilder@talk21.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Edward Summerton is a senior lecturer and researcher for the School of Fine Art, Duncan of Jordanstone College, University of Dundee. He has exhibited internationally in both solo and group exhibitions as an artist whose work has expanded from the practice of painting to photography, sound works, prints, objects, film, collaborations and the organizing of events and exhibitions which have included – “Blind Sight” where 50 visual artists were invited to submit a sound work and CD cover for a Jukebox installation on Scotland and Finland.

'Doctor Skin' A unique public art event where artists designed temporary tattoos for wear by members of the public.

'Bird of the Devil' A publication produced in collaboration with 17 international writers.

'Digital VD' A one-hour film work incorporating 60 one minute films.

'Prints of Darkness' An exhibition and collection of 13 artists prints inspired by record covers.

Don Paterson is a Reader in Creative Writing at the University of St Andrews. He has worked as a writer, guitarist, and composer, and has been Poetry Editor at Picador/Macmillan since 1997.

His first collection of poetry, Nil Nil(1993), won the Forward Poetry Prize for Best First Collection.

God's Gift to Women(1997) won the T.S Eliot Prize and the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize.

His collection of poems, Landing Light(2003), won both the 2003 T.S Eliot Prize and the 2003 Whitbread Poetry Award.

He has also published three collections of aphorisms, The Book of Shadows(2004), The Blind Eye(2007) and Best Thought, Worst Thought(2008).

For further information relating to the edition of stamps or 'DELAYED BY STORM' Please contact Edward Summerton at e.summerton@dundee.ac.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk