World-renowned ballerina celebrated on Jersey stamps

World-renowned ballerina, Dame Margot Fonteyn DBE, is the subject of a set of six stamps and a Miniature Sheet to be issued by Jersey Post on 2 April 2019. Illustrated by fashion illustrator, Christian David Moore, the stamps celebrate the centenary of Fonteyn’s birth on 18 May 1919 and show the ballerina in some of her most famous performances.

“Dame Margot was associated with Jersey through her parents who lived on the island for a number of years,” explains James Dann, Philatelic Production Executive at Jersey Post. “She performed at the Jersey Opera House on two occasions, in 1972 and again in 1976, performing a variety of excerpts from different ballets on each occasion.

“Fonteyn appeared in some of the Royal Ballet's most iconic performances,” James continues. “She starred in a full-length production of The Sleeping Beauty when the Royal Ballet reopened after the Second World War, as well as a production of Giselle in 1962, after which she received 15 minutes of applause and 20 curtain calls. In 1979, at the age of 60, Fonteyn was appointed Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Royal Ballet by HM Queen Elizabeth II.”

Fonteyn has been illustrated across the six stamps performing as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty and an indigenous goddess in Amazon Forest. The Miniature Sheet features Margot Fonteyn as Odette in Swan Lake.

Jersey Post’s Dame Margot Fonteyn stamps will be available to buy from all branches of Jersey Post from 2 April 2019. Philatelic stamp products such as Miniature Sheets, First Day Covers and Presentation Packs will be available from the Jersey post offices at Broad Street, St Helier and Rue Des Pres, St Saviour on issue day and can be ordered now at www.jerseystamps.com Alternatively, you can email the Jersey Philatelic Bureau at stamps@jerseypost.com or telephone us on: +44(0) 1534 616717.