A special stamp sheet featuring two new stamps has been created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland.
Produced by Isle of Man Post Office, the stamp sheet is divided into two parts and showcases the key figures in the First World War naval battle.
The first half features William Wyillie’s painting of HMS Iron Duke opening fire along with portraits of Commander of the British Royal Navy Grand Fleet Admiral Sir John Jellicoe and Admiral Scheer, commander of the German Navy’s High Fleet.
The other side shows William Stower’s painting of a German torpedo boat with portraits of Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty and Vice Admiral Franz Hipper.
The Battle of Jutland was fought between May 31 and June 1, 1916 and was the only encounter between the main British and German fleets during the First World War.
It lasted less than 12 hours and 249 ships and 100,000 men fought in the battle off the coast of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula.
Nick Jellicoe, grandson of Sir John Jellicoe who was Commander of the Grand Fleet for two and a half years between 1914 and 1916, produced the historical text that accompanies the sheet and his daughter Francesca Jellicoe helped design the stamps.
Nick said: ‘It is a fitting tribute to the men of both the Royal Navy and the German High Seas Fleet to have such a fine commemorative miniature stamp sheet issued in their memory.’
The stamp sheet will be available to order on February 17. To view and pre-order the stamps visit www.iompost.com