Stamps Celebrate Photographer’s 50-Year Journey

A fresh series of stamps honors half a century of work from an Isle of Man-based photographer known for capturing moments during World War II along with scenes from the era following the war.

Through the Lens of Leonard McCombe showcases the photographer's career highlights, starting with his early days on the island, followed by his compelling war photography, and culminating in his subsequent editorial contributions to magazines across the United States.

Introduced on Thursday, which marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the collection aligns with an exhibit at the House of Manannan that centers around his war photography.

Clark McCombe, who assisted in developing the set, mentioned that his father's contributions encapsulated the "pictures, feelings, and legacy of a planet recuperating from World War II."

The set of eight pictures showcases a fisherman aboard a Manx boat close to the Calf of Man, a woman pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary who ferried planes from manufacturing plants to airfields during the war, as well as a Texas cowhand herding spring-calved cattle.

McCombe was born on the island in 1923 and spent his childhood in Port Erin. He began pursuing photography when he turned 14, during which time he documented individuals detained at the island’s sole women-only internment facility in Rushen.

Following his relocation to England, he documented the Allied progress throughout World War II prior to shifting to the United States where he portrayed American cowboys and depicted the Navajo Nation.

His collection of works features photographs of Winston Churchill along with multiple U.S. presidents, and even captures from the Apollo lunar mission launch.

Maxine Cannon, who serves as the general manager for stamps and coins at the Isle of Man Post Office, mentioned that numerous images utilized for this particular stamp release have remained unseen or unpublished since they were first developed from rolls of film several decades back.

This occurred due to McCombe, who passed away in 2015 during his latter years, having devoted the majority of his time to farming. Consequently, as she noted, his extensive collection of scrapbooks, writings, negatives, prints, and books remained neglected and untouched in his study.

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• Stamp collection celebrates the 80th anniversary of VE Day

Related internet links

• Isle of Man Postal Service
• Rushen Heritage Trust