The issue of four denominations of a new permanent series of postage stamps for Ireland.
Following an international competition, designs for the new Irish definitive postage stamps were announced in 1967. The winning artist Heinrich Gerl from Munich in Germany was chosen from 11 artists who submitted 57 designs.
The series of postage stamps feature four animal symbols associated with early Irish art, the winged ox, the eagle, the stag and the dog. Four denominations of the full series of sixteen values go on sale initially. They are 2d, 8d, 2s 6d and 10s. Each value carries one of the four basic designs to be used throughout the complete series. The rest of the stamps will be issued in 1969.
This release begins the replacement of stamps first issued in 1922 and air mail stamps first issued in 1948. The philatelic programme underway is the biggest undertaken in Ireland for years.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Power and Posts and Telegraphs Patrick Lalor hands in a first day cover with the four new definitive stamps at the General Post Office.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 October 1968. The footage shown here is mute.
