Letters on a stamp on a letter

Description

Andrew Fothergill, the designer of these stamps, proposed the concept of letters of the alphabet in random upper and lower case (representing the variety of envelopes and packages a modern post office deals with), on a stamp which was in turn on a letter. And so a 'modern art' stamp incorporating a subtle 'play on words' allied to state-of-the-art technology was born.

Dutch printers Joh. Enschede came up with the final touch of genius by adding heat sensitive ink; when touched it changes from orange to white. Silver foil giving a 'wave' effect is used for the Queen's head, the value, the name of Guernsey and the background letters on the surrounding sheet. The stamp replaces our previous £5 definitive issued in August 1998.

Specification