Design Guru Gives his 'Stamp' of Approval to Philatelic Exhibition Author and cultural commentator Stephen Bayley lends his support to an exhibition highlighting black achievement as part of Black History Month UK

A thematic exhibition showcasing stamps, autographs and memorabilia of the African Diaspora has been given some heavyweight support from the design community in the form of author and cultural commentator, Stephen Bayley.

Post-Colonial: an exhibition of stamps from the African Diaspora, curated by African-Caribbean creative, Jon Daniel, launches on Saturday 1st October at 399 Strand, London, home of world famous stamp dealer, Stanley Gibbons. Fraser's Autographs, a division of The Stanley Gibbons Group plc will be supplementing the exhibition with a range of autographs and memorabilia.

Bayley has often been quoted expounding the design qualities of stamps, stating in a press interview last year that, "They involve a whole range of creativity, within clear disciplines, not least dictated by their size. So by collecting stamps, you are, at a fraction of the cost of collecting other forms of art, gaining access to a vast international archive of design."

Having been selected to feature in Creative Review's Monograph, Jon Daniel's own collection was the inspiration behind this exhibition and his appreciation of stamp design will be evidenced by a panel given over entirely to stamps chosen by him purely for the quality of their design.

"The design disciplines involved are fascinating: within a tiny space, a stamp must establish national identity, indicate its value, contain (if it is a special edition) usefully suggestive symbolism and needs high visual impact...without compromising the dignity of the issuing authority. Stamps are astonishing bargains as well as examples of miniature genius" said Bayley.

Post-Colonial: Stamps of the African Diaspora opens at Stanley Gibbons, 399 Strand, London on Saturday 1st October and runs until Saturday 29th October.

For those unable to attend, the exhibition will also be available via the Stanley Gibbons website: www.stanleygibbons.com.

WHEN: From 1st October 2011

WHERE: Stanley Gibbons, 399 Strand, London

Check out more Black History Month Events