Finally it was worth the wait. It came at a time when I was starving for a new Formula One themed stamp. I still remember I had the poster of this F1 celebrity when I was a kid and Formula one in India at that time was just in sports magazines - Thanks to Sportstar.
Couple of days back on a morning when I read the email that Jersey Post has released a stamp on Nigel Mansell, I was the happiest person on earth. I felt as if I have received some kind of award. So fresh, new and comes in many variations.
Nigel Mansell is no-new-name in Formula One. Born as Nigel Ernest James Mansell, he was the most successful British driver and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2012 New Year for Honours services to children and young people.
He holds the distinct record of being the only driver in history to hold both the Formula One ( 1992 ) and CART championships ( 1993 ) at the same time. Jersey post issued six stamps and a collectible souvenir sheet to commemorate the 20th anniversary of this distinct record.
He still holds records for the highest percentage of pole positions in a season (88%), most wins from pole position in a season (9).
He still holds records for the highest percentage of pole positions in a season (88%), most wins from pole position in a season (9).
All the six stamps carry the caption "Legacy of a Formula One champion - Nigel Mansell".
- The 45p stamp commemorates his First Pole Position at the 1984 US Grand Prix.
- The 55p stamp commemorates his First Formula One Win at the 1985 European Grand Prix.
- The 60p stamp commemorates his First Formula One win at the Brazilian Grand Prix for the Team Ferrari at the start of the 1989 season. He was known as "il leone" ("the lion") by the tifosi (Ferrari fans) because of his fearless driving style.
- The 68p stamp commemorates his First Formula One Driver's Championship when he clinched the title finishing second at the 1992 Hungarian Grand Prix, 11th race of the season.
- The 80p stamp commemorates his First Indy Car Championship when he secured the 1993 title completing first at the 1993 Nazareth Speedway, 15th race of the 16 race season.
- The 88p stamp potrays the famous spectacle when Mansell on the victory lap at the 1991 British Grand Prix gives Artyon Senna a lift to the paddock when the latter ran out of fuel.
Jersey post issued some 35 variations of these stamps such as stamp sets, souvenir sheet, presentation pack, first day cover, blocks of 2 & 4. Every one of these is a stamp collectors delight ;)
