An Post is marking the centenary of the death of Michael Collins with a single stamp.
The national stamp, designed by Ger Garland, goes on general release today and is available in selected post offices nationwide and at anpost.com/shop. The design features photography by C. & L. Walsh, of Michael Collins in military uniform
An Post have also produced a commemorative First Day Cover which carries the new stamp and a specially designed cancellation mark featuring Collins’ name in similar typeface to that on the Béal na Bláth monument
In a break from tradition the cancellation mark includes the designation ‘Corcaigh’ to reflect Michael Collins’ native county.
Michael Collins’ death on August 22, 1922 was the highest profile casualty of the Irish Civil War, which arose over the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. As Chairman of the Provisional Government and Commander-in-Chief of the newly established Irish Army, Collins was the main pro-Treaty advocate.
Known as the ‘Big Fellow’ — Michael Collins was a leading figure in the War of Independence. He was aide-de-camp to Joseph Plunkett during the 1916 Easter Rising. A British signatory to the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December 1921, Lord Birkenhead, said that, in doing so, he may have signed his political death warrant. Michael Collins, a member of the five-strong Irish delegation who signed, was quoted as saying: “I may have signed my [actual] death warrant.” His premonition tragically came to pass less than nine months later when he died in the ambush at Béal na Bláth on August 22 1922.
