A new Cayman Islands Moths series of stamps features the delicate yet spectacular realism displayed of artist Mrs. Letitia Askew, in which local moths seem to come alive.

The moths are the special subjects of the new stamps in the denominations of 20¢, 25¢, $1.60 and $2.00.

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 while the Cayman Clearwing is featured on the 25¢. White-lined Sphinx is featured on the $1.60 and the $2.00 features the Gaudy Sphinx Moth. Other Moths to be seen on the First Day Cover are Caicus Sphinx, Tantalus Sphinx and the Boisduval’s Urania.

The First Day Cover is valued at CI $4.85. Clients may 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.

At a reception to commemorate the release, which was held at the Postal Service’s Philatelic Bureau located in the Seven Mile Beach Post Office, chief guests were Mrs. Askew and her naturalist husband Dr. Richard Askew, who is the author of the renowned work “The Dragonflies of Europe.”

Gratefully acknowledging Mrs. Askew’s donated art work for the stamp series, Postmaster General, Ms 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.”

Ms Glasgow added, “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 their joy at being on “beautiful Grand Cayman”.

“It is very nice to work with such an efficient philatelic bureau,” Mrs. Askew commented. “It is especially gratifying that the bureau is keen to maintain the authenticity and realism of the Cayman Islands’ natural life,” she added, lauding also the issue in the past of other Cayman Islands’ flora and fauna, including butterflies.

For more information on this stamp issue and others in the past, please contact 946-4757 or online at www.caymanpost.gov.ky, according to Philatelic Bureau Acting Manager, Ms Shindi Beput.

Photo captions Photos by Bina Mani, GIS
1. From left to right: Dr. Richard Askew, Postmaster General, Ms Sheena Glasgow and artist of the moths stamps series, Mrs. Letitia Askew
2. L-r: Philatelic Bureau Acting Manager Shindi Beput, renowned naturalist Dr. Richard Askew, Postmaster General, Ms Sheena Glasgow and artist of the moths stamps series, Mrs. Letitia Askew
3. L-r: Stamp Advisory Committee member Mr. Ivan Burges, past member Mrs. Ann Stafford, Philatelic Bureau Acting Manager Shindi Beput, renowned naturalist Dr. Richard Askew, Postmaster General, Ms Sheena Glasgow and artist of the moths stamps series, Mrs. Letitia Askew
4. Artist Mrs. Letitia Askew, whose donated moths artwork is featured in the new CI stamps series, views the stamps and first day cover displayed at the Philatelic Bureau at the Seven Mile Post Office.
5. The moths stamps series First Day Cover is valued at $4.85.