List of British postage stamps

This is a list of British postage stamps issued by the Royal Mail postal service of the United Kingdom, normally referred to in philatelic circles as Great Britain. This list should be consistent with printed publications,^[1]^[2] and cite sources of any deviation (e.g., magazine issue listing newly found variations).

Queen Victoria

Line engraved

One Penny Black issued on 1 May for use from 6 May 1840
Penny Black VR official
Penny Blue proof impression, never used
Two penny blue contemporary issue with the Penny Black
One Penny Red issued in 1841 to replace the Penny Black (the first issue with perforations from 1848)
Prince Consort Essay
Two penny blue printed in a new ink. The design has the addition of white * lines above and below the inscriptions
Halfpenny Rose Red issued in 1870 for the reduced postcard and newspaper rate
Three Halfpence Red introduced in 1870 for the reduced printed matter rate

Embossed

Sixpence embossed, 1847–54
Ten Pence embossed, 1847–54
One Shilling embossed, 1847–54

Surface printed

4d, 6d, 1s, 1855–57 (no corner letters)
3d to 1s, 1862–64 (small white corner letters)
3d to 10d, 1865–67 (large white corner letters)
3d to 2s, 1867–80 (large white corner letters – new watermark)
High value definitives, 5s to £5 1867–83
Low value definitives, 1873–80 (coloured corner letters)
Low value definitives, halfpenny to 5d 1880–81
Penny Lilac 1881, the most issued Victorian stamp
High value definitives, 2/6 to £1 1883–84
Lilac and Green low value definitives 1883
Jubilee issue postage stamps 1887–92

King Edward VII

Definitives halfpenny to £1, 1902 (printed by De La Rue & Co.)
Definitives halfpenny to 4d, 1911 (printed by Harrison and Sons)
Definitives 1+1⁄2d to £1, 1911–13 (printed at Somerset House)

King George V

Definitives halfpenny, 1d, 1911–12 "Mackennals" (designed by Bertram Mackennal)
Definitives halfpenny, 1d, 1912 "Mackennals" (lion shaded)
Low value definitives, 1912–24 (halfpenny to 1s)
High value definitives, 1913–18, "Seahorses"
Postage due stamps, 1914 (halfpenny to 1s)
British Empire Exhibition Postage Stamps (first commemorative issue)
Universal Postal Union Congress, London 10 May 1929 (halfpenny to twopence halfpenny and £1)
Low value definitives, 1934–36 (halfpenny to 1s)
High value definitives, 1934, "Seahorses" (re-engraved)
Silver Jubilee 7 May 1935 (first issue to commemorate a royal event)

King Edward VIII

Edward VIII postage stamps

King George VI

Low value definitives (original dark colours)
Low value definitives (pale colours)^[3]
Low value definitives (changed colours)
High value definitives (original square format)
High value definitives (rectangular format) 1951
Coronation 12 May 1937 (first issue to include the Queen's portrait as well as the King's)
Centenary of the postage stamp 6 May 1940
Victory 11 June 1946
Silver wedding 26 April 1948 (first issue to commemorate a personal Royal occasion rather than a state event, £1 value was the first British stamp designed by a woman and the issue is notable for the omission of the words 'postage' and 'revenue').
Channel Islands Liberation 10 May 1948
Olympic Games 29 July 1948
Universal Postal Union (UPU) 10 October 1949
Festival of Britain 3 May 1951^[4]

Queen Elizabeth II (pre-decimalisation)

1952–1954

Low value definitives known as Wildings, 5 December 1952, 31 August 1953, 15 October 1954

1953

Coronation, 2 June

1955

Castles high value definitives, 1 September, 23 September, reprinted 1958, 1963, 1967

1957

World Scout Jubilee Jamboree, 1 August
46th Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference, 12 September
Low value Wilding definitives with graphite-lines, 19 November (first graphite-lined issue)

1958

Sixth British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Cardiff, 18 July

1959

Low value Wilding definitives with phosphor bands, 18 November (first phosphor issue)

1960

Tercentenary of Establishment of General Letter Office, 7 July
First Anniversary of European Postal and Telecommunications Conference, 19 September

1961

Centenary of Post Office Savings Bank, 28 August
European Postal and Telecommunications (C.E.P.T.) Conference, Torquay, 18 September (first issue printed in more than two colours)
Seventh Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, 25 September

1962

Note: Issues between 1962 and 1966 inclusive are available in two varieties – with, and without, phosphor bands (which fluoresce in ultra-violet light). These were introduced to help sorting machines distinguish between first and second class letters automatically and the early examples with phosphor bands (up to the 1965 Salvation Army issue) are worth several times those without.

National Productivity Year, 14 November

1963

Freedom from Hunger, 21 March
Centenary of the Paris Postal Conference, 7 May
National Nature Week, 16 May
Ninth International Lifeboat Conference, Edinburgh, 31 May
Red Cross Centenary Congress, 15 August
Opening of COMPAC (Trans-Pacific Telephone Cable), 3 December

1964

Shakespeare Festival, 23 April

Note: First commemorative set to feature in an illustrated Presentation Pack, including mint stamps, with descriptive notes and protective covering. Also first set for which there was an official Post Office issue illustrated First Day Cover envelope and first set to commemorate a person from history.

20th International Geographical Congress, London, 1 July
Tenth International Botanical Congress, Edinburgh, 5 August
Opening of Forth Road Bridge, 4 September

1965

Winston Churchill Commemoration (2 stamps, 4d & 1/3), 8 July
700th Anniversary of Simon de Montfort's Parliament (2 stamps, 6d & 2/6), 19 July
Salvation Army Centenary, (2 stamps, 3d & 1/6), 9 August
Centenary of Joseph Lister's Discovery of Antiseptic Surgery, (2 stamps), 1 September
Commonwealth Arts Festival (2 stamps), 1 September
25th Anniversary of Battle of Britain (8 stamps + 4d values as block of 6), 13 September
Opening of Post Office Tower (2 stamps), 8 October
20th Anniversary of UNO and International Cooperation Year (2 stamps), 25 October
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Centenary (2 stamps), 15 November

1966

Burns Commemoration, 25 January
900th Anniversary of Westminster Abbey, 28 February
Landscapes, 2 May
World Cup Football Championship, 1 June
British Birds, 8 August
England's World Cup Football Victory, 18 August
British Technology, 19 September
900th Anniversary of Battle of Hastings, 14 October
Christmas 1966, 1 December (the first Christmas issue)

1967

European Free Trade Association (EFTA), 20 February
British Wild Flowers, 24 April
British Paintings, 10 July
Sir Francis Chichester's World Voyage, 24 July
British Discovery and Invention, 19 September (last watermarked issue)
Christmas 1967, 18 October and 27 November

Also this year, in two issues, the first Machin definitives (4d, 1s, and 1/9 in the first issue); the remaining values were issued later in 1967 (3d, 9d, and 1/6) and on two dates in 1968.

1968

British Bridges, 29 April (synthetic PVA gum used from this issue)
British Anniversaries, 29 May
British Paintings, 12 August
Christmas 1968, 25 November

1969

British Ships, 15 January
First Flight of Concorde, 3 March
Anniversaries, 2 April
British Architecture (Cathedrals), 28 May
Investiture of The Prince of Wales, 1 July
Gandhi Centenary Year, 13 August
British Post Office Technology, 1 October
Christmas 1969, 26 November

1970

British Rural Architecture (4 stamps), 11 February
Anniversaries (5 stamps), 1 April
London 6 at 4d (Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada, 6 stamps) May – rare, only four known in existence
Literary Anniversaries (5 stamps), 3 June
Decimal Currency: Machin design of 10p, 20p, 50p and £1 (4 stamps), 17 June
Ninth British Commonwealth Games (3 stamps), Edinburgh, 15 July
Philympia 1970 stamp exhibition (3 stamps), 18 September
Christmas 1970 (3 stamps), 25 November

Queen Elizabeth II (decimal currency)

1971

Decimal Currency Machins: 1⁄2p, 1p, 1+1⁄2p, 2p, 2+1⁄2p, 3p, 3+1⁄2p, 4p, 5p, 6p, 7+1⁄2p, and 9p (12 stamps), 15 February
'Ulster '71' Paintings (3 stamps), 16 June
Literary Anniversaries (3 stamps), 28 July
Decimal Currency Machin: 10p small format (1 stamp), 8 August
British Anniversaries (3 stamps), 25 August
British Architecture: Modern University Buildings (4 stamps), 22 September
Christmas 1971 (3 stamps), 13 October

1972

British Polar Explorers (4 stamps), 16 February
General Anniversaries (3 stamps), 26 April
British Architecture: Village Churches (5 stamps), 21 June
Broadcasting Anniversaries (4 stamps), 13 September
Christmas 1972 (3 stamps), 18 October
Royal Silver Wedding (2 stamps), 20 November (first issue with "all over" phosphor)

1973

British Entry into European Communities, 3 January
British Trees (1st Issue), 28 February
British Explorers, 18 April
County Cricket 1873–1973, 16 May
Artistic Anniversaries, 4 July
400th Anniversary of the Birth of Inigo Jones (architect and designer), 15 August
19th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, 12 September
Royal Wedding, 14 November
Christmas, 28 November

1974

British Trees (2nd issue), 27 February
Bicentenary of the Fire Prevention (Metropolis) Act, 24 April
Centenary of Universal Postal Union, 12 June
Medieval Warriors, 10 July
Birth Centenary of Winston Churchill, 9 October
Christmas, 27 November

1975

Health and Handicap Funds, 22 January
Birth Bicentenary of J. M. W. Turner (painter), 19 February
European Architectural Heritage Year, 23 April
Sailing, 11 June
150th Anniversary of Public Railways, 13 August
62nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference, 3 September
Birth Bicentenary of Jane Austen (novelist), 22 October
Christmas, 26 November

1976

Telephone Centenary, 10 March
Social Reformers, 28 April
Bicentenary of American Revolution, 2 June
Centenary of Royal National Rose Society, 30 June
British Cultural Traditions, 4 August
500th Anniversary of British Printing, 29 September
Christmas, 24 November

1977

Racket Sports, 12 January
Centenary of Royal Institute of Chemistry, 2 March
Silver Jubilee, 11 May
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1977, London, 8 June
British Wildlife, 5 October
Christmas, 23 November

1978

Energy Resources, 25 January
British Architecture: Historic Buildings (4 stamps + MS), 1 March
25th Anniversary of Coronation, 31 May
Horses, 5 July
Centenaries of Cyclists Touring Club and British Cycling Federation, 2 August
Christmas, 22 November

1979

Dogs, 7 February
Spring Wild Flowers, 21 March
First Direct Elections to European Assembly, 9 May
Horseracing paintings and Bicentenary of The Derby, 6 June
International Year of the Child (4 stamps), 11 July
Death Centenary of Sir Rowland Hill (4 stamps and Minisheet including all four stamps), 22 August
150th Anniversary of Metropolitan Police, 26 September
Christmas 1979, 21 November

1980

Centenary of Wild Bird Protection Act (4 stamps), 16 January
150th Anniversary of Liverpool and Manchester Railway (5 stamps + strip of 5), 12 March
London 1980: International Stamp Exhibition (1 stamp and Minisheet), 9 April
London Landmarks (5 stamps), 7 May
Famous Authoresses (4 stamps), 4 July
80th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (1 stamp), 4 August (first issue to commemorate a Royal birthday)
British Conductors (4 stamps), 10 September
Sport Centenaries (4 stamps), 10 October
Christmas 1980 (5 stamps), 10 November

1981

Folklore (4 stamps), 6 February
International Year of the Disabled (4 stamps), 25 March
Butterflies (4 stamps), 13 May
50th Anniversary of the National Trust for Scotland (5 stamps), 24 June
Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer (2 stamps), 22 July
25th Anniversary of Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme (4 stamps), 12 August
Fishing Industry (4 stamps), 23 September
Christmas (Children's paintings) (5 stamps), 18 November

1982

Charles Darwin (4 stamps), 10 February
Youth Organisations (4 stamps), 24 March
British Theatre (4 stamps), 28 April
??? Pack number 135
Maritime Heritage (5 stamps), 16 June
British Textiles (4 stamps), 23 July
Information Technology (2 stamps), 8 September
British Motor Cars (4 stamps), 13 October
Christmas (Carols) (5 stamps),17 November

1983

British River Fishes (4 stamps), 26 January
Commonwealth Day Monday 14 March (4 stamps), 9 March
British Engineering Achievements (3 stamps), 25 May
The British Army (5 Stamps), 6 July
British Gardens (4 stamps), 24 August
British Fairs (4 stamps), 5 October
Christmas (5 stamps), 16 November

1984

Heraldry (4 stamps), 17 January
Cattle (5 stamps), 6 March
Urban Renewal (4 stamps), 10 April
Europa, CEPT 25th anniversary The Second European Election (2 strips of 2 stamps), 15 May
Greenwich 1884– Meridian −1984 (4 stamps), 26 June
The Royal Mail (strip of 5 stamps), 31 July
The British Council 1934 – 1984 (4 stamps), 25 September
Christmas (The Nativity) (5 stamps), 20 November

1985

Famous Trains (5 stamps), 22 January
Insects (5 stamps), 12 March
British Composers (4 stamps), 14 May
Safety at Sea (4 stamps), 18 June
Royal Mail (4 stamps), 30 July
Arthurian Legend (4 stamps), 3 September
British Films (5 stamps), 8 October
Christmas (Pantomime) (5 stamps), 19 November

1986

Industry Year (4 stamps), 14 January
Halley's Comet (4 stamps), 18 February
60th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth II (4 stamps, 2×2 se-tenant), 21 April
Europa. Nature Conservation, Endangered Species (4 stamps), 20 May
Medieval Life (4 stamps), 17 June
Sport (5 stamps), 15 July
Royal Wedding of Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson (2 stamps), 22 July
Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, (1 stamp), 19 August
Royal Air Force, (5 stamps), 16 September
Christmas (Traditions) (6 stamps), 18 November

1987

Flowers, (4 stamps), 6 January
Sir Isaac Newton, (4 stamps), 24 March
British Architects in Europe, (4 stamps), 12 May
St John Ambulance, (4 stamps), 16 June
Scottish Heraldry, (4 stamps), 21 June
Victorian Britain, (4 stamps), 8 September
Studio Pottery, (4 stamps), 13 October
Christmas, (5 stamps), 17 November

1988

Bicentenary of Linnean Society, (4 stamps), 19 January
400th Anniversary of the Welsh Bible, (4 stamps), 1 March
Sports Organisations, (4 stamps), 22 March
Transport and Mail Services, Europa, (4 stamps), 10 May
Australian Bicentenary (4 stamps), 21 June
Spanish Armada, (5 stamps), 19 July
Centenary of death of Edward Lear, (4 stamps), 6 September
Castle high value definitives, (4 stamps), 18 October
Christmas, (5 stamps), 15 November

1989

Centenary of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, (4 stamps), 17 January
Greetings stamps, (5 stamps), 31 January
Food and Farming Year, (4 stamps), 7 March
150th anniversary of Public Education in England, (4 stamps), 11 April
Anniversaries & Events, (4 stamps), 11 April
Toys and Games, Europa, (4 stamps), 16 May
Industrial Archaeology, (4 stamps), 4 July
150th Anniversary of the Royal Microscopical Society, (4 stamps), 5 September
Lord Mayor's Show, (5 stamps), 17 October
800th Anniversary of Ely Cathedral, (5 stamps), 14 November

1990

150th Anniversary of Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 23 January
Greetings Booklet Stamps. 'Smiles', 6 February
Europa and 'Glasgow 1990 European City of Culture', 6 March
25th Anniversary of Queen's Award for Export and Technology, 10 April
'Stamp World London 90' International Stamp Exhibition, London, 3 May
150th Anniversary of Kew Gardens, 5 June
150th Birth Anniversary of Thomas Hardy (author), 10 July
90th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, 2 August
Gallantry Awards, 11 September
Astronomy, 16 October
Christmas, 13 November

1991

Dogs. Paintings by George Stubbs, 8 January
Greetings Booklet Stamps 'Good Luck', 6 February
Scientific Achievements, 5 March
Greetings Booklet Stamps. 'Smiles', 26 March
Europa. Europe in Space, 23 April
World Student Games, Sheffield and World Cup Rugby Championship, London, 11 June
9th World Congress of Roses, Belfast. Wood engravings by Yvonne Skargon. 16 July
150th Anniversary of Dinosaurs Identification by Owen, 28 August
Bicentenary of Ordnance Survey. Maps of Hamstreet, Kent, 17 September
Christmas. Illustrated Manuscripts from the Bodleian Library, Oxford, 12 November

1992

The Four Seasons: Wintertime, 14 January
Greeting Stamps: Memories, 28 January
40th Anniversary of Accession, 6 February
Death Centenary of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 10 March
Europa: International Events, 7 April
350th Anniversary of the Civil War, 16 June
150th Birth Anniversary of Sir Arthur Sullivan, Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, 21 July
Protection of the Environment. Children's Paintings, 15 September
Single European Market, 13 October
Christmas 1992: Stained Glass Windows, 10 November

1993

600th Anniversary of Abbotsbury Swannery, 19 January
Greeting Stamps. 'Gift Giving', 2 February
300th Birth Anniversary of John Harrison (inventor of the marine chronometer). Details of the 'H4' clock, 16 February
14th World Orchid Conference, Glasgow, 16 March
Europa. Contemporary Art, 11 May
Roman Britain, 15 June
Inland Waterways, 20 July
The Four Seasons. Autumn. Fruits and Leaves, 14 September
Sherlock Holmes. Centenary of the Publication of The Final Problem, 12 October
Christmas. 150th Anniversary of Publication of A Christmas Carol, 9 November

1994

The Age of Steam. Railway Photographs by Colin Gifford, 18 January
Greeting Stamps. 'Messages', 1 February
Postage due stamps, 15 February (the final issue of postage due stamps that had been introduced in 1914)
25th Anniversary of Investiture of The Prince of Wales. Paintings by The Prince of Wales, 1 March
Centenary of Picture Postcards, 12 April
Opening of Channel Tunnel, 3 May
50th Anniversary of D-Day, 6 June
Scottish Golf Courses, 5 July
The Four Seasons. Summertime Events, 2 August
Europa. Medical Discoveries, 27 September
Christmas. Children's Nativity Plays, 1 November

1995

Cats, 17 January
The Four Seasons. Springtime. Plant Sculptures by Andy Goldsworthy, 14 March
Greetings Stamp. 'Greetings in Arts', 21 March
Centenary of National Trust, 11 April
Europa. Peace and Freedom, 2 May
Science fiction. Novels by H. G. Wells 6 June
Reconstruction of Shakespeares Globe Theatre, 8 August
Pioneers of Communications, 5 September
Centenary of Rugby league, 3 October
Christmas. Christmas Robins, 30 October

1996

Death Bicentenary of Robert Burns (Scottish poet), 25 January
Greetings Stamps. Cartoons, 26 February
50th Anniversary of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Bird Paintings by C.F. Tunnicliffe, 12 March
Centenary of Cinema, 16 April
European Football Championship, 14 May
Olympic and Paralympic Games, Atlanta, 9 July
Europa. Famous Women, 6 August
50th Anniversary of Children's Television, 3 September
Classic Sports Cars, 1 October
Christmas, 28 October

1997

Greetings Stamps. 19th-century Flower Paintings, 6 January
450th Death Anniversary of King Henry VIII, 21 January
Religious Anniversaries, 11 March
Europa. Tales and Legends. Horror Stories, 13 May
Architects of the Air: British Aircraft Designers, 10 June
'All The Queens Horses'. 50th Anniversary of the British Horse Society, 8 July
Sub-Post Offices, 12 August
Birth Centenary of Enid Blyton (children's author), 9 September
The Golden Wedding Anniversary 1947–1997, 7 October
Christmas. Christmas Crackers, 27 October

1998

Endangered Species, 20 January
Diana, Princess of Wales Commemoration, 3 February
650th Anniversary of the Order of the Garter. The Queen's Beasts, 24 February
Lighthouses, 24 March
Comedians, 23 April
Health: 50th Anniversary of National Health Service, 23 June
Classic Fantasy Books for Children: Magical Worlds, 21 July
Europa. Festivals. Notting Hill Carnival, 25 August
Speed: British Land Speed Record Holders, 29 September
Christmas. Angels, 2 November

1999

Millennium stamp Series. The Inventors' Tale, 12 January
Millennium stamp Series. The Travellers' Tale, 2 February
Millennium stamp Series. The Patients's Tale, 2 March
Millennium stamp Series. The Settlers' Tale, 6 April
Millennium stamp Series. The Workers' Tale, 4 May
Millennium stamp Series. The Entertainers' Tale, 1 June
Royal wedding, 15 June
Millennium stamp Series. The Citizens' Tale, 6 July
Millennium stamp Series. The Scientists' Tale, 3 August
Solar Eclipse, 11 August
Millennium stamp Series. The Farmers' Tale. Includes 1999 Europa issue, 7 September
Millennium stamp Series. The Soldiers' Tale, 5 October
Millennium stamp Series. The Christians' Tale, 2 November
Millennium stamp Series. The Artists' Tale, 7 December
Millennium stamp Series. 'Millennium Timekeeper', 14 December

2000

New Millennium stamp, 6 January
Millennium stamp Projects (1st Series). 'Above and Beyond', 18 January
Millennium stamp Projects (2nd Series). 'Fire and Light', 1 February
Millennium stamp Projects (3rd Series). 'Water and Coast', 7 March
Millennium stamp Projects (4th Series). 'Life and Earth', (2nd) ECOS Ballymena, (1st) Web of Life Exhibition at London Zoo, 44p Earth Centre Doncaster, 64p Project SUZY Teesside. Printed by De La Rue Security Print. 4 April
Millennium stamp Projects (5th Series). 'Art and Craft', 2 May
'Stamp Show 2000' International Stamp Exhibition, London. 'Her Majesty's Stamps', 23 May
Millennium stamp Projects (6th Series). 'People and Places', 6 June
Millennium stamp Projects (7th Series). 'Stone and Soil', 4 July
Millennium stamp Projects (8th Series). 'Tree and Leaf', 1 August
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's 100th Birthday, 4 August
Millennium stamp Projects (9th Series). 'Mind and Matter', 5 September
Millennium stamp Projects (10th Series). 'Body and Bone', 3 October
Millennium stamp Projects (11th Series). 'Spirit and Faith', 7 November
Millennium stamp Projects (12th Series). 'Sound and Vision', 5 December

2001

The Millennium stamp, 16 January
Centenary of the Death of Queen Victoria, 29 January
Silver hallmarks, 6 February
Cats and Dogs, 13 February
Northern Ireland Definitives, 6 March
Weather, 12 March
Centenary of the Royal Navy Submarine Service, 10 April
England Definitives, 23 April
Double-decker Buses, 15 May
Fabulous Hats, 19 June
Smiles, 3 July
Pond Life, 10 July
Puppets, Punch and Judy, 4 September
Centenary of the Nobel Prizes, 2 October
Centenary of the Royal Navy Submarine Service, Flags 22 October
Christmas, Robins 6 November

2002

Centenary of Publication of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, 15 January
Golden Jubilee, 6 February
Wilding Definitive of 1952–54, 6 February
Greetings Stamps "Occasions", 5 March
British Coastlines, 19 March
Europa, Circus, 10 April
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Commemoration, 25 April
50th Anniversary of Passenger Jet Aviation, 2 May
World Cup Football Championship, Japan and Korea, 21 May
17th Commonwealth Games, Manchester, 16 July
150th Anniversary of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, 20 August
Bridges of London, 10 September
Astronomy Sheet, 24 September
150th Anniversary of the First Pillar Box, 8 October
Christmas 2002, 5 November
50th Anniversary of Wilding Definitives sheet, 5 December

2003

Birds of Prey, 14 January
Greetings Stamps "Occasions", 4 February
50th Anniversary of Discovery of DNA, 25 February
Fruit and Vegetables, 25 March
Overseas Booklet Stamps, 27 March
Extreme Endeavours (British Explorers), 29 April
50th Anniversary of Coronation, 2 June
21st Birthday of Prince William of Wales, 17 June
A British Journey, Scotland, 15 July
Europa, British Pub Signs, 12 August
Classic Transport Toys, 18 September
250th Anniversary of the British Museum, 7 October
Christmas 2003, 4 November
England's Victory in Rugby World Cup sheet, 19 December

2004

Classic locomotives, 13 January
Occasions 2004, 3 February
The Lord of the Rings, 26 February
Northern Ireland, 16 March
Entente Cordiale, 6 April
Ocean Liners, 13 April
Royal Horticultural Society, 25 May
Wales, 15 June
Royal Society of Arts, 10 August
Woodland Animals, 16 September
Crimea, 12 October
Christmas 2004, 2 November

2005

Farm Animals, 11 January
South West England, 8 February
Jane Eyre, 24 February
Magic!, 15 March
Castle series Definitives, 22 March
World Heritage Sites, 21 April
Trooping the Colour, 7 June
Motorcycles, 19 July
A Celebration of Food, 23 August
Classic ITV, 15 September
Trafalgar, 18 October
Christmas 2005, 1 November

2006

Animal Tales, 10 January
England, 7 February
Brunel, 23 February
Opening of the Welsh Assembly Building, 1 March
Ice Age Animals, 21 March
Definitives and country stamps for new postage rates, 28 March
Her Majesty The Queen's 80th Birthday, 18 April
World Cup Winners, 6 June
Modern Architecture, 20 June
National Portrait Gallery, 18 July
Three Kings, 31 August
Victoria Cross, 21 September
Sounds of Britain, 3 October
Christmas 2006, 7 November
Lest We Forget, 9 November

2007

The Beatles, 9 January
Sea Life, 1 February
The Sky at Night, 13 February
World of Invention, 1 March
Abolition of the Slave Trade, 22 March
Celebrating England, 23 April
Beside the Seaside, 15 May
40th Anniversary of the Machin, 5 June
Grand Prix, 3 July
10th Anniversary of the First Harry Potter Book, 17 July
Scouts, 26 July
British Army Uniforms, 20 September
Endangered Species – Birds, 4 September
The Queen's 60th Wedding Anniversary, 16 October
Christmas, 6 November
Lest We Forget, 8 November

2008

James Bond Centenary of Birth of Ian Fleming (6 stamps + Prestige Book), 8 January
LOVE (Booklet), 15 January
Working Dogs Centenary (6 stamps) 5 February
Kings & Queens (Part 1) (Houses of Lancaster and York) (6 stamps + MS), 28 February
Greetings Booklet, 28 February
Celebrating Northern Ireland (MS) and Glorious N.Ireland (Smilers sheet), 11 March
Mayday – Rescue at Sea (6 stamps), 13 March
New Machin definitives & Country stamps for new postage rates, 1 April
Territorial Army Centenary (Commemorative Sheet), 1 April
Insects 'Action for Species' 2 (10 stamps), 15 April
Cathedrals 300th anniversary of completion of St Paul's Cathedral: (6 stamps + MS), 13 May
Retail booklet – Summer holidays, 13 May
Classic Films "Carry on" and "Hammer" Films anniversaries (6 stamps), 10 June
London 1908 Olympics (Commemorative Sheet), 23 June
Airshows (6 stamps), 17 July
Beijing Expo (Smilers Sheet) August
Olympics Handover – 2008 Beijing Olympics (MS), 26 August
British RAF Uniforms – (6 stamps + Prestige Book), 18 September
Country Definitives – 50th anniversary. (MS of 9 stamps + Prestige Book), 29 September
Glorious UK (Smilers sheet), 29 September
Women of Distinction (6 stamps), 14 October
Christmas – Pantomime (6 stamps + MS + Smilers), 4 November
Lest We Forget – 90th anniversary of end of the First World War (MS), 6 November

2009

Design Classics (10 stamps + Prestige Book + Smilers + Self Adhesive retail books released in February, April and September), 13 January
250th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns (MS), 22 January
200th Anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin (6 stamps + MS + Prestige Book), 12 February
Celebrating Wales (MS), 26 February
Pioneers of the Industrial Revolution (8 stamps), 17 March
New Machin Definitives and Country Stamps for new postage rates April
Kings & Queens Part 2 (Tudors) (6 stamps +MS), 21 April
Endangered Plants & 250th Anniversary of Kew Gardens (10 stamps + MS), 19 May
Treasure of the Archive (Prestige Book) May
Mythical Creatures (6 stamps), 16 June
Olympic Disciplines (10 stamps) July
Postboxes (MS), 18 August
Fire Brigade (6 stamps), 1 September
Royal Navy Uniforms (6 stamp + Prestige Book), 17 September
Eminent Britons (10 stamps), 8 October
Olympic & Paralympic Games (20 stamps), 22 October
Christmas – The Nativity Story as depicted on church stained glass (7 stamps + MS + Smilers), 3 November

2010

Classic Album Covers, 7 January
Girl Guiding, 2 February
The Royal Society, 25 February
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, 11 March
Kings and Queens – The Stewarts, 23 March
Mammals, 13 April
King George V sheet, 6 May
Festival of Stamps sheet, 8 May
London 2010 sheet, 8 May
Britain Alone, 13 May
The Stuarts, 15 June
Olympic Games, 27 July
Great British Railways, 19 August
Winnie the Pooh, 12 October
Wallace and Gromit X-mas, MS, Generic Smiler 2 November

2011

Classic Children's Television, the Genius of Gerry Anderson – set of 6 & lenticular miniature sheet and Thunderbirds Retail Booklet, 11 January
Pictorial Faststamps, Birds II – Garden Birds 2, 24 January
Classic Locomotives of England, Minisheet, 1 Feb
Indipex Stamp Exhibition Generic Smilers Sheet – 20 x Union flag, 10x labels incl 1969 Gandhi stamp, 12 Feb
West End Stage Musicals set of 6, 24 Feb
Retail Booklet: British Heart Foundation 50th Anniv: has Medical Breakthroughs Beta-Blockers 1st stamp, 24 Feb
Magical Realms – including Discworld, Narnia, Harry Potter, King Arthur: set of 8, 8 March
50th Anniv World Wide Fund for Nature – set of 10, MS & Prestige Booklet, 22 March
Commemorative Sheet 50th anniversary of Jaguar E-type, 30 March
Royal Shakespeare Company 50th Anniversary set of 6 + Minisheet, 12 April
Royal Wedding – miniature sheet of 4 stamps, 21 April
William Morris & Co 150th Anniversary set of 6 + Prestige Booklet, 5 May
Pictorial Faststamps, Water Birds 3 – Mallard, Mute Swan, Kingfisher, Moorhen, Greylag Goose and Great Crested Grebe, 19 May
Rev Wilbert Awdry Birth Cent. (author, Thomas the Tank Engine stories) Set of 6, Minisheet and booklet, 14 June
The Duke of Edinburgh's 90th Birthday Commemorative Sheet, 14 June
Olympics/Paralympics series III – 10x1st class stamps, a Commemorative Sheet and a Composite Sheet/30 stamps, 27 July
Phila'nippon 11, Japan, Exhibition Generic Smilers Sheet, 28 July^{[clarification needed]}
The Crown Jewels set of 8, 23 August
Classic Locomotives of England retail booklet, 23 August
World's First Scheduled Airmail, Windsor – Minisheet and Prestige stamp book, 9 September
Arnold Machin Birth Centenary miniature sheet, 14 September
Kings & Queens, House of Hanover, set of 6 + Minisheet, 15 September
Olympics/Paralympics retail booklet 6, 15 September
350th Anniv of the Postmark – Generic Smilers Sheet, 15 September
Pictorial Faststamps, Birds 4 – Sea birds, 16 September
A-Z of the United Kingdom (part 1 – 12 stamps, A-L), 13 October
Retail booklets: 6 x 1st with 2012 Stamp Calendar on inside cover. 12 x 2nd, 12 x 1st, 4 x 2nd Large, 4 x 1st *Large all with Forest Stewardship Council logo, 25 October
Christmas 400th Anniv. of the King James Version of the Bible – set of 7, MS, Smilers Sheet, Stamp booklets, 8 Nov

2012

5 January – Olympic and Paralympic Games Definitive Stamps
10 January – Roald Dahl
20 January – Year of the Dragon Generic Smilers Sheet
2 February – The House of Windsor (Kings and Queens 6) Set and MS
6 February – HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee definitive + MS
23 February – Britons of Distinction (Basil Spence, Frederick Delius, Mary 'May' Morris, Odette Hallowes, Thomas Newcomen, Kathleen Ferrier, Augustus Pugin, Montague Rhodes James, Alan Turing, Joan Mary Fry)^[5]
24 February – Fast Stamps -Agriculture
8 March – Classic Locomotives of Scotland MS
20 March – World of Children's Comics
10 April – A-Z of the UK, part 2 (14 stamps)
24 April – Post & Go – Pigs
15 May – Design Classics, Fashion
21 May – Post & Go – Union Flag
31 May – HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
19 June – Charles Dickens
27 July – Olympic Games (Welcome)
July–August – GB Gold medal winners; stamps issued within 24 hours of event
- Helen Glover and Heather Stanning – Women's coxless pair
- Bradley Wiggins – Men's road time trial
- Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott – Men's slalom C-2
- Peter Wilson – Men's double trap
- Philip Hindes, Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny – Men's team sprint
- Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins – Women's double sculls
- Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Peter Kennaugh and Geraint Thomas – Men's team pursuit
- Victoria Pendleton – Women's keirin
- Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hosking – Women's lightweight double sculls
- Alex Gregory, Tom James, Pete Reed and Andrew Triggs Hodge – Men's coxless four
- Danielle King, Joanna Rowsell and Laura Trott – Women's team pursuit
- Jessica Ennis – Women's heptathlon
- Greg Rutherford – Men's long jump
- Mo Farah – Men's 10,000 metres
- Ben Ainslie – Finn class
- Andy Murray – Men's singles
- Scott Brash, Peter Charles, Ben Maher and Nick Skelton – Team jumping
- Jason Kenny – Men's sprint
- Alistair Brownlee – Men's triathlon
- Laura Bechtolsheimer, Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester – Team dressage
- Laura Trott – Women's omnium
- Chris Hoy – Men's keirin
- Charlotte Dujardin – Individual dressage
- Nicola Adams – Women's flyweight
- Jade Jones – Women's 57 kg
- Ed McKeever – Men's K-1 200 metres
- Mo Farah – Men's 5,000 metres
- Luke Campbell – Men's bantamweight
- Anthony Joshua – Men's super heavyweight
29 August – Paralympic Games (Welcome)
27 September – Olympic and Paralympic Games (Memories)
28 September – Post & Go – Cattle
16 October – World of Dinosaurs
30 October – Space Science
8 November – Christmas 2012

2013

9 January – 150th anniversary of the London Underground
21 February – Jane Austen
22 February – Post and Go – Freshwater Life 1 : Ponds Stamp Set
26 March – Classic TV – 50 years of Dr Who
16 March – Great Britons
9 May – Football Heroes
30 May – Royal Portraits – Her Majesty the Queen
18 June – Classic Locomotives of Northern Ireland
11 July – Butterflies
8 August – Andy Murray
13 August – British Auto Legends
19 September – Merchant Navy
20 September – Post & Go – Freshwater Life 3 : River Life Set
10 October – Dinosaurs
5 November – Christmas

2014

7 January – Classic Children's TV
4 February – Working Horses
20 February – Classic Locomotives of Wales
21 February – Post & Go – British Flora 1 : Spring Blooms
25 March – Remarkable Lives
15 April – Buckingham Palace
13 May – Great British Film
5 June – Sustainable Fish
17 July – Glasgow 2014 (XX Commonwealth Games)
28 July – The Great War 1914
18 September – Seaside Architecture
19 September – Post & Go – British Flora 2 : Symbolic Flowers
14 October – Prime Ministers
4 November – Christmas
13 November – Post & Go – British Flora 3 : Winter Greenery

2015

6 January – Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
18 February – Post & Go: Working Sail
19 February – Inventive Britain
5 March – Bridges
1 April – Comedy Greats
6 May – The 175th Anniversary of the Penny Black
13 May – Post & Go: Heraldic Beasts
14 May – First World War
2 June – Magna Carta
18 June – The Battle of Waterloo (200th anniversary)
16 July – The 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
18 August – Bees
9 September – Long to Reign Over Us (Her Majesty The Queen becoming the longest reigning UK monarch)
16 September – Post & Go: Sea Travel
18 September – Rugby World Cup
20 October – Star Wars
3 November – Christmas 2015

2016

7 January – Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition
28 January – Duke of Edinburgh Awards: 60th anniversary
17 February – Royal Mail 500 – Post & Go: Royal Mail Heritage
18 February – Penny Red Generic Sheet – Royal Mail Heritage PSB
15 March – British Humanitarians
5 April – William Shakespeare (400th anniversary of his death)
21 April – HM The Queen's 90th Birthday
25 April – First World War: ANZAC
17 May – Animail
28 May – New York 2016 FIP Exhibition
21 June – First World War: 1916
7 July – Music Giants: Pink Floyd
28 July – Beatrix Potter
16 August – Landscape Gardens
2 September – Great Fire of London
14 September – Post & Go: Ladybirds
15 September – Agatha Christie
14 October – Battle of Hastings: 950th anniversary
20 October – Mr Men and Little Misses
8 November – Christmas 2016
14 November – Post & Go: Hibernating Animals

2017

17 January – Ancient Britain
6 February – 65th Anniversary of the Accession
15 February – Windsor Castle
15 February – Post and Go Postal Heritage: Mail by Rail
14 March – Music Giants II – David Bowie
21 March – New Machin and Country Definitives
6 April – Racehorse Legends
4 May – Songbirds
24 May – Exhibition Generic Sheet: Finlandia 2017
5 June – Machin Definitive 50th anniversary
5 June – Machin Anniversary Post and Go
13 June – HRH The Princess Royal
20 June – Windmills and Watermills
30 June – Celebrating Canada
13 July – Landmark Buildings
31 July – World War I (1917)
22 August – Classic Toys
13 September – Post and Go Postal Heritage: Mail by Air
13 September – Opening of The Postal Museum
14 September – Ladybird Books
12 October – Star Wars
7 November – Christmas

20 November – The Royal Wedding: Platinum Anniversary

2018

23 January – Game of Thrones
23 January – Post and Go – Game of Thrones
15 February – Votes for Women
20 March – Royal Air Force Centenary
17 April – Reintroduced Species
11 May – Owls
19 May – Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – using engagement photographs by Alexi Lubomirski^[6]
1 June – 150th Anniversary of Trades Union Congress
5 June – Royal Academy of Arts
26 June – Dad's Army
31 July – Hampton Court Palace
16 August – Captain Cook and Endeavour
30 August – The Old Vic
12 September – Royal Mail Heritage – Mail by Bike
13 September – First World War 1918
16 October – Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World
1 November – Christmas
14 November – HRH The Prince of Wales – 70th Birthday

2019

15 January – Stamp Classics
13 February – Leonardo da Vinci
14 March – Marvel
4 April – Birds of Prey
2 May – British Engineering
24 May – Queen Victoria Bicentenary
6 June – D-Day
9 July – Curious Customs
13 August – Forests
3 September – Music Giants – Elton John
19 September – Royal Navy Ships
26 September – ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 / ICC Women's World Cup 2017
10 October – The Gruffalo
5 November – Christmas
xx November – Star Wars

2020

21 January – Video Games
11 February – Visions of the Universe
17 March – James Bond
7 April – The Romantic Poets
8 May – End of the Second World War
28 May – Coronation Street
18 June – Roman Britain
9 July – Queen
30 July – The Palace of Westminster
18 August – Sherlock
3 September – Rupert Bear
1 October – Brilliant Bugs
3 November – Christmas
13 November – Star Trek

2021

14 January – UK National Parks^[7]
26 January – United Kingdom: A Celebration (Great Creativity; Great Industry and Innovation; Great Industry and Innovation; Great Sport)
16 February – Only Fools and Horses (television program, 40th anniversary of first broadcast)
16 March – The Legend of King Arthur (550th anniversary of the death of Sir Thomas Malory)
29 March – Queen Legends
15 April – Classic Science Fiction (75th anniversary of the death of H. G. Wells and the 70th anniversary of the publication of The Day of the Triffids)
4 May – The Wars of the Roses (450th anniversaries of the Battle of Tewkesbury and the Battle of Barnet)
28 May – Paul McCartney
24 June – In Memoriam – HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
1 July – Dennis and Gnasher (70th anniversary of first publication)
22 July – Wild Coasts
12 August – Industrial Revolutions
2 September – British Army Vehicles
17 September – DC Comics collection
19 October – Rugby Union
2 November – Christmas 2021

2022

20 January – Music Giants VI – The Rolling Stones
February – Barcoded everyday "definitive" and Christmas stamps introduced after trials;^[8] non-barcoded "definitive" stamps no longer valid from 1 February 2023
4 February – Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
18 February – The Stamp Designs of David Gentleman
8 March – The FA Cup
23 March – Heroes of the Covid Pandemic
7 April – Migratory Birds
5 May – Unsung Heroes: Women of World War II
9 June – Cats
1 July – Pride
28 July – Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
1 September – Transformers

The following issues continue to bear the silouette of HM Queen Elizabeth II, who died on 8 Sept.2023

29 September – Royal Marines
19 October – Aardman Classics
3 November – Christmas 2022
10 November – In Memoriam : Her Majesty The Queen
24 November – Tutankhamun

2023

12 January – Iron Maiden
16 February – X-Men
9 March – The Flying Scotsman – final issue with silhouette of HM Queen Elizabeth II

King Charles III

2023

23 March – Flowers – first issue to feature the silhouette of HM King Charles III. Also the first change of silhouette since 1968
4 April – King Charles III Definitive
13 April – The Legend of Robin Hood
6 May – His Majesty King Charles III: A New Reign
17 May – Blackadder
8 June – Warhammer
22 June – Windrush: 75 Years
13 July – River Wildlife
10 Aug – Terry Pratchett's Discworld
5 Sep – Paddington Bear
21 Sep – Dame Shirley Bassey
19 Oct – Harry Potter
2 Nov - Christmas

2024

11 January - Spice Girls
1 February - Weather Forecasting
20 February - Viking Britain
12 March - The Age of the Dinosaurs
16 April - 100 Years of Commemorative Stamps
16 May - Peppa Pig
6 June - Dogs
20 June - Red Arrows - 60 Seasons
25 July - Dungeons & Dragons
13 August - Union Flag
13 August - Tower of London
3 Sept. - Porridge
26 Sept. - Spiders
17 October - The Who
5 November - Christmas
30 November - Sir Winston Churchill

Notes

^ Stanley Gibbons Simplified Catalogue of Stamps of the World 2009
^ Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue 2009
^ Peter Worsfold (March 1981). "The Preparation of the Light Colour Definitives of King George VI". British Philatelic Bulletin. 18 (7): 293–295.
^ King George VI stamps main page (archived)
^ "Britons of Distinction (2012) : Collect GB Stamps". collectgbstamps.co.uk. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
^ Pearl, Diana (17 May 2018). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Getting Two Commemorative Stamps in Honor of Their Wedding". People. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
^ "British Stamps for 2021 : Collect GB Stamps".
^ "Stamps". Post Office. Retrieved 4 July 2022.

External links

British Postal Museum & Archive

[1] Stanley Gibbons Simplified Catalogue of Stamps of the World 2009

[2] Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue 2009

[PB-3] Peter Worsfold (March 1981). "The Preparation of the Light Colour Definitives of King George VI". British Philatelic Bulletin. 18 (7): 293–295.

[4] King George VI stamps main page (archived)

[5] "Britons of Distinction (2012) : Collect GB Stamps". collectgbstamps.co.uk. Retrieved 17 May 2021.

[6] Pearl, Diana (17 May 2018). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Getting Two Commemorative Stamps in Honor of Their Wedding". People. Retrieved 19 May 2018.

[7] "British Stamps for 2021 : Collect GB Stamps".

[8] "Stamps". Post Office. Retrieved 4 July 2022.

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