Royal mail commemorative stamps

A fascinating topic! Royal Mail, the postal service of the United Kingdom, has been issuing commemorative stamps for many years to mark significant events, anniversaries, and cultural icons. Here are some interesting facts and examples:

Types of Commemorative Stamps:

  1. Anniversary Stamps: Issued to mark significant anniversaries of events, people, or institutions.
  2. Thematic Stamps: Focus on a particular theme, such as animals, flowers, or landmarks.
  3. Special Event Stamps: Issued for one-time events, like the Olympics or royal weddings.
  4. Cultural Icon Stamps: Feature famous British artists, authors, musicians, or actors.

Examples of Commemorative Stamps:

  1. Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation (1953): A set of stamps featuring the Queen and her coronation procession.
  2. The Beatles (1965): A set of stamps celebrating the Fab Four, with each stamp featuring a different band member.
  3. The London 2012 Olympics (2012): A set of stamps featuring iconic London landmarks and Olympic sports.
  4. The Royal Family (2011): A set of stamps featuring portraits of the Queen, Prince Philip, and their children.
  5. The 50th Anniversary of the First Man on the Moon (2019): A set of stamps commemorating Neil Armstrong's historic moon landing.

Interesting Facts:

  1. Design and Production: Commemorative stamps are designed by Royal Mail's in-house design team or external designers. The stamps are printed using a variety of techniques, including offset lithography and intaglio printing.
  2. Security Features: Many commemorative stamps feature security features, such as holograms, microprinting, or color-shifting ink, to prevent counterfeiting.
  3. Collectibility: Commemorative stamps are highly collectible, with some rare stamps selling for thousands of pounds.
  4. Error Stamps: Occasionally, errors occur during the printing process, resulting in rare and valuable error stamps.

Where to Find Commemorative Stamps:

  1. Post Offices: Royal Mail post offices typically stock commemorative stamps, and staff can help you find the ones you're looking for.
  2. Online Retailers: You can also purchase commemorative stamps online from retailers like Royal Mail's online shop or specialized stamp dealers.
  3. Stamp Dealers: Visit local stamp dealers or attend philatelic exhibitions to find rare and collectible commemorative stamps.

I hope this information has sparked your interest in Royal Mail commemorative stamps!