This set of four personalised stamps was released by Correos, the Spanish Post Office, on 25 May to coincide with the first anniversary of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The release was also to celebrate the European Diversity Month in May. The stamps are in four different shades of skin tone to draw attention to “an unjust and painful reality to which millions of people face everyday.” The media campaign by sports celebrities to support the stamps was published on Facebook the day before the release. This can be accessed by scanning the QR code on the back of the stamp cover. I have a copy of the video which I can send if the link is taken down.
Unfortunately there was a storm of protest following the stamps release with race equality organisations in Spain condemning it. This was because the darker the skin tone of the stamps the lower the value of the stamps from black at the basic postage rate of 0.7 Euros through 0.8 Euros,1.5 Euros and 1.6 Euros for pink skin tone. The campaign video explicitly says that two black stamps are deemed equal to one pink stamp and this is the painful reality of racial inequality! As a result of the international media storm of condemnation for this badly thought out campaign Correos acted to withdraw the stamps from sale the day following the release. It has as a result been difficult to obtain sets of these stamps and prices have increased! It was planned to release only 600 sets of these personalised stamps mainly to collectors so there was in any case a shortage of supply. An unknown quantity of the stamps were sold on the first day of release before being withdrawn by Correos. They have since been in great demand by stamp collectors and those wishing to hold a piece of social history. Undoubtedly the stamps are likely to continue to increase in value. I believe Stanley Gibbons are intending to list these stamps in their next Spanish catalogue and make a valuation.
I was lucky enough to source a few sets early on from contacts in Spain at a high price and am certainly keeping a set for myself for the longer term! This set of self adhesive stamps is in perfect mint condition and comes mounted on an information card together with a protective unused envelope. I think they will become a must for collectors of withdrawn stamp issues & those with an interest in contemporary social history & racial discrimination. I am happy to be contacted for further information on the listing.