New moth stamp series takes flight
(L-R) Dr Richard Askew, Postmaster General Sheena Glasgow and Letitia Askew
(CNS Local Life): The Cayman Islands Postal Service (CIPSA) has released a series of stamps featuring the realistic artwork of Letitia Askew, in which she depicts local moths. The issue, which became effective on 12 October 2017, consists of a set of four stamps and a first day cover. The 20¢ stamp features Faithful Beauty, with the Cayman Clearwing featured on the 25¢, White-lined Sphinx on the $1.60 and Gaudy Sphinx Moth on the $2.
Other moths depicted on the first day cover, which is valued at $4.85, are Caicus Sphinx, Tantalus Sphinx and the Boisduval’s Urania.
People can obtain the stamp set and first day cover from the Philatelic Bureau at the Seven Mile Beach Post Office (West Shore Plaza), the philatelic counter at the General Post Office in George Town and the Hell Post Office in West Bay. Additionally, the stamps alone can be purchased at any post office in the Cayman Islands.
Letitia Askew attended the reception to commemorate the release, along with her naturalist husband Dr Richard Askew, who is the author of The Dragonflies of Europe, stated a government press release.
In acknowledging the donated artwork for the stamp series, Postmaster General Sheena Glasgow said, “We are very proud of our latest stamps release, which features some of the hardest working yet silent denizens of Cayman’s fauna. As nightly pollinators, moths help many of our flora species to flourish.
“We at the Postal Service are thrilled and honoured that a natural life artist of Mrs. Askew’s calibre was instrumental in commemorating some of the spectacular moths that call the Cayman Islands home.”
She presented the couple with a set of the stamps and the first day cover.
The British couple, who spend most of their time in the south of France where they also organise nature tours, expressed joy at being on “beautiful Grand Cayman”, stated the press release.
“It is very nice to work with such an efficient philatelic bureau,” Letitia Askew said. “It is especially gratifying that the bureau is keen to maintain the authenticity and realism of the Cayman Islands’ natural life,” she added, also lauding the past issue of other Cayman flora and fauna, including butterflies.
For more information on this stamp issue and previous releases, call 946-4757 or go to the CIPS website
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