Ninth Definitive Series

On January 31, 2019, An Post issued its ninth definitive series, “A History of Ireland in 100 Objects” – Phase III.The series offers an intriguing insight into Irish life from the 8th to the 20th century.  Drawn from the newspaper series and book of that title by Irish Times journalist, Fintan O’Toole, the selection of eight stamps and two First Day Covers calls to mind facinating aspects of people’s life, from an 8th/9th-century crucifixion plaque found in Rinnagan, County Roscommon to an emigrant’s suitcase from the 1950s.  

Shaown are four of the stamps in this series. The gilt bronze Rinnagan Crucifixion Plaque is one of the earliest surviving representations of the Crucifixion in Ireland.  Made of iron links that were originally gilded with tin, the late 9th or early 10th century Slave Chain would have looked very decorative, despite its function to deprive people of their liberty.  The 11th century Clonmacnoise Crozier is a striking abbot’s crozier from the great monastery of Clonmacnoise, County Offaly.  The gold and ruby Salamander Pendant, c. 1588, was rercovered from the wreck of the Spanish galleass La Girona which sank off the north Antrim coast in 1588.

Irish Stamps The Collector, 01/19