Royal mail swap out large letter stamps
A fascinating topic!
The Royal Mail, the postal service of the United Kingdom, has a long history of issuing stamps, including large letter stamps. Over the years, they have introduced new designs, retired old ones, and updated their stamp formats to reflect changes in technology, design trends, and postal rates.
Here are some key changes and updates to the large letter stamps issued by the Royal Mail:
- Introduction of Large Letter Stamps (LLS): In 1999, the Royal Mail introduced Large Letter Stamps (LLS) to replace the traditional Large Letter Rate (LLR) stamps. The LLS stamps were designed to be used for larger envelopes and packages that exceeded the standard letter size.
- First LLS Issues (1999-2001): The first LLS stamps featured a range of designs, including British wildlife, landmarks, and cultural icons. These stamps were issued in denominations of £0.60, £0.70, and £0.80.
- Design Updates (2001-2010): In the early 2000s, the Royal Mail updated the design of their LLS stamps to feature more modern and colorful designs. This included stamps featuring British flowers, animals, and landmarks.
- New LLS Issues (2010-2019): In 2010, the Royal Mail introduced a new range of LLS stamps featuring British culture, history, and heritage. These stamps included designs such as the Beatles, the Royal Family, and British sports.
- Current LLS Issues (2020-present): Today, the Royal Mail continues to issue new LLS stamps with a range of designs, including British wildlife, landmarks, and cultural icons. These stamps are available in various denominations, including £1.00, £1.20, and £1.50.
Some notable changes to the large letter stamps include:
- Shape and Size: The shape and size of LLS stamps have changed over the years. Early LLS stamps were rectangular, while later issues feature a more rectangular shape with rounded corners.
- Paper Quality: The paper quality of LLS stamps has improved significantly over the years, with modern stamps featuring high-quality, gummed paper.
- Security Features: The Royal Mail has introduced various security features to prevent counterfeiting, including holograms, microprinting, and color-shifting ink.
If you're interested in collecting Royal Mail large letter stamps, you can find them at your local post office, online marketplaces, or specialized stamp dealers.