Silent film actors and actresses grace new stamps from the Isle of Man

New Stamps of the World — By Denise McCarty

Several recent worldwide stamps feature films and similar types of entertainment.

For example, six stamps from the Isle of Man show actors and actresses who starred in silent films based on the novels of Manx author Hall Caine (1853-1931). The stamps were issued Feb. 14.

Maxine Cannon, the general manager of stamps and coins for the Isle of Man Post Office, said, “Over the years the Island has been proud to be called home to many incredible talents in the creative industries, and Hall Caine is one of the most prominent. We are very pleased to issue these stamps to recognise his work and the impact he has made in the literary and film world locally, as well as globally.”

She also mentioned that the stamp issue coincides with the 90th anniversary of talking pictures and the Academy Awards.

One of the two nondenominated first-class stamps depicts Polish actress Pola Negri (1897-1987), who starred in Barbed Wire in 1927. The film is based on Caine’s 1923 novel originally titled The Woman of Knockaloe.

The other first-class stamp honors The Manxman directed in 1929 by Alfred Hitchcock, the last of his silent films. The stamp depicts Czech actress Anny Ondra (1903-1987), who starred as Kate Cregeen in the film.

The first-class domestic rate for letters sent within the Isle of Man and to Great Britain is 52 pence as of April 3. It was 47p when the stamps were issued.

Another nondenominated stamp in the set is inscribed “EU,” for the rate to European countries (currently 83p).

The design depicts American stage and film actor Conrad Nagel (1897-1970) in Name the Man in 1924.

The remaining three stamps in the set also depict Americans: Barbara La Marr (1896-1926) is pictured on the 98p stamp in her starring role as Donna Roma in the 1923 version of The Eternal City; a nondenominated stamp inscribed “RoW” (for rest of the world) shows Richard Dix (1894-1949) in The Christian, also from 1923; and the £1.50 stamp features matinee idol Norman Kerry (1894-1956) in the 1929 version of Bondman.

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According to the Isle of Man Post Office, Kerry’s Bondman role was Caine’s favorite film performance.

Lowe-Martin printed the stamps in sheets of 20, and the designs were by Glazier Design.