Posts Tagged ‘UK Stamps’
FIRST LOOK: NEW STAR WARS Stamps feature beloved fan-favourites and two NEW characters
Revealed for the first time today, Royal Mail are set to release 8 new STAR WARS stamps, to mark the release of the new film in the popular sci-fi franchise, The Last Jedi.
Scheduled for release on 12th October 2017, the new stamps will feature beloved ‘Aliens and Droids’ from the complete saga, including one never-before-seen image of the mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke, and one brand-new character, Porg.
Royal Mail’s second STAR WARS stamp issue
The stamps are Royal Mail’s second STAR WARS stamp issue, following on from the successful ‘Heroes and Villains’ release in 2015, ahead of the premiere of the first film in the new trilogy, The Force Awakens.
Here’s your first look at the new stamps alongside a bit of info about each one…
MAZ KANATA
MAZ KANATA
Location: Takodana / Maz’s castle exterior
Ships: Kylo Ren’s command shuttle / First Order TIE fighters
Secondary character: HURID-32
Deep within the fringes of the galaxy lies a secret castle hideaway presided over by the wise, boisterous figure of Maz Kanata. Over a thousand years old and an ex-pirate herself, Maz holds court within the galaxy’s underworld: smugglers, bounty hunters and thieves. Maz has also been a friend to Jedi, and her castle contains secrets that tell of one Luke Skywalker.
CHEWBACCA
CHEWBACCA
Location: Starkiller Base
Ships: Millennium Falcon
Secondary character: Chewbacca
Faithful co-pilot and companion to Han Solo for many years, Chewbacca was one of the heroes of the Rebellion. Brought back into the orbit of the Resistance after many years of freelance adventuring, Chewbacca witnesses the tragic death of his best friend, Han Solo. All he has left is his ship, the Millennium Falcon, and a new companion, a Force-attuned loner named Rey.
SUPREME LEADER SNOKE
SUPREME LEADER SNOKE
Film: The Last Jedi
Ships: Star Destroyer / First Order TIE fighters
Secondary character: Praetorian Guard
A shadowy figure who leads the First Order, Snoke trained Kylo Ren in the dark side of the Force. He orders the creation of a giant planet-sized superweapon called Starkiller to destroy the New Republic government and commands Ren to hunt down the last Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker. Next, he issues a chilling command: Ren is ready to complete his training…
PORG
PORG
Location: Ahch-To
Ships: Millennium Falcon
Secondary character: Beaks
Small, flightless birds called porgs are native to the remote planet Ahch-To, where Luke Skywalker is living in exile. The planet is covered with water and rocky islands and is home to the ruins of the first Jedi Temple, where porgs have peacefully made their home. The birds are ill-prepared for the arrival of strangers when Rey and Chewbacca land there in the Millennium Falcon.
BB-8
BB-8
Location: Jakku
Ships: First Order TIE fighters
Secondary character: Luggabeast / Teedo / BB-8
The plucky droid named BB-8 is a loyal companion to Resistance fighter Poe Dameron in the fight against the First Order. Assigned to Poe to provide flight assistance when piloting his X-wing fighter, BB-8 is separated from his master in a deadly battle with Kylo Ren. Forced to seek new allies, the droid runs into a scavenger named Rey and a renegade stormtrooper called Finn.
R2-D2
R2-D”
Location: Coruscant / Grievous’s flagship interior
Ships: Jedi starfighters
Secondary character: R2-D2
This trusty little droid has had an adventurous life, first on board Queen Amidala’s ship during the Battle of Naboo, then in the Clone Wars alongside Anakin Skywalker, and with Luke Skywalker in the fight against the Empire. In recent years, R2-D2 has been in a state of semi-retirement, secretly harbouring the only map that pinpoints the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker.
C-3PO
C-3PO
Location: Tatooine / Jabba’s Palace exterior
Ships: Death Star II
Secondary character: Jabba the Hutt / C-3PO
As a boy on Tatooine, Anakin Skywalker built a protocol droid as a helper for his mother. C-3PO became an expert in matters relating to diplomacy, but he was not equipped for a life of excitement, danger and adventure. Thrust into battles during the Clone Wars and the Rebellion against the Empire, this reticent, nervous droid has time and again helped his friends save the day.
K-2SO
K-230
Location: Scarif
Ships: U-Wing / X-wings
Secondary character: Pao
A reprogrammed Imperial security droid with a bluntly honest way of talking, K-2SO is firmly on the side of the Rebel Alliance in the fight against the Empire. K-2SO’s ability to blend in when doing reconnaissance work behind Imperial lines is a distinct advantage. He can pilot many types of spaceship and scan and access Imperial communications systems.
The Force is strong with Royal Mail’s official Star Wars stamps
Brilliantly rendered in exquisite detail by British Artist Malcolm Tween, the 8 stamps depict the most popular ‘Aliens and Droids’ featured in the iconic blockbuster films.
Two of the stamps feature exclusive never-before-seen images of two characters; one – Supreme Leader Snoke – we’ve seen briefly before, whilst the other – Porg – is a brand new character from the new film.
Incorporated into each stamp is a secondary character and scene forming unique images that can be found nowhere else.
The four ‘droid’ stamps utilise UV ink to emphasise some of the design features of the stamp. These will come visible only under a UV light.
Star Wars Stamps Framed Collector Card
If you’re interested…
You can reserve all of the new Star Wars stamps right now on a limited edition Collector Card – professionally framed and ready to hang.
FIRST LOOK: New David Bowie Stamps just announced…
Royal Mail have revealed 10 new David Bowie stamps, which will mark a tribute to one of the most influential music and cultural figures of all time.
The stamps are Royal Mail’s second dedicated music artist stamp issue, following on from the popular Pink Floyd release in the summer of last year.
Scheduled for release on 14th March 2017, the stamps will feature iconic album covers and live performances from 1971 right up to his final studio album Blackstar.
Here’s your first look at the new stamps alongside a bit of info about each one…
1st Class – Hunky Dory:
His fourth album and released in December 1971. Time magazine chose it as part of their “100 best albums of all time” list in January 2010.
1st Class – Aladdin Sane:
His sixth album and released in April 1973. The album was among six Bowie entries in Rolling Stone magazine’s 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
1st Class – “Heroes”:
His twelfth studio album and released in October 1977. This was the second instalment of his “Berlin Trilogy” recorded with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti. The title track remains one of Bowie’s best known and acclaimed songs.
£1.52 – Let’s Dance:
His fifteenth studio album and released in April 1983. Co-produced by Nile Rodgers, and featured three of the most successful singles “Let’s Dance”, “Modern Love” and “China Girl”. Let’s Dance is Bowie’s bestselling album.
£1.52 – Earthling:
His twentieth studio album and released in February 1997, this was the first album Bowie had self-produced since Diamond Dogs.
£1.52 – Blackstar:
Bowie’s final studio album, released on 8th January 2016 to coincide with his 69th birthday. Bowie died two days after its release.
The Miniature Sheet
1st Class – The Ziggy Stardust Tour, 1972: The tour promoted The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars studio album and took in the UK, North America, and Japan.
The David Bowie Live Miniature Sheet
1st Class – The Serious Moonlight Tour, 1983: The tour was designed to support the Let’s Dance album and was Bowie’s longest, largest and most successful concert tour.
£1.52 – The Stage Tour, 1978: Also known as Isolar II – The 1978 World Tour and The Low/Heroes World Tour because it was staged to promote the Low and Heroes albums.
£1.52 – A Reality Tour, 2004: Staged to promote the Reality album this tour was to be Bowie’s last tour.
Background Image – The Glass Spider Tour, 1987: launched to promote the album Never Let Me Down.
A First Class Tribute to a Music Legend
These stamps are sure to be sought after by anyone looking for a really collectable piece of Bowie memorabilia. And there are even due to be limited edition ‘fan sheets’ issued for the those who want to keep something truly special.
I wasn’t sure Royal Mail could top last year’s Pink Floyd issue, but these stamps are so well executed and poignant in my opinion they will go down as some of the most important musical stamps ever to grace our postage.
If you’re interested…
You can reserve all of the new David Bowie stamps right now on a limited edition Collector Card – professionally framed and ready to hang. Click here for details.
SIX Remarkable Commemoratives that Celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday
This year Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becomes the first ever British monarch to celebrate her 90th birthday. This significant moment in history will certainly be one to remember.
So I’ve compiled a list of my six favourite commemoratives for you to peruse. In my opinion any Royal collector would be lucky to have these in their collection, especially the 10 ounce gold coin!
1. The Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday Proof Coin
This golden-coloured coin features a one-year only specially commissioned 90th birthday portrait, designed by Luigi Badia.
The coin proudly displays the royal cypher atop a large “90”. The central design is flanked by the Royal Standard and Union Flags on either side.
2. Guernsey 2016 Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th Birthday Silver £5 Proof Coin
Featuring an oak wreath and crown to symbolise long life and the House of Windsor, this Silver £5 coin also features the limited edition one-year-only portrait.
At the center is EIIR, encircled by the words Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the years 1926-2016.
3. Australia 90th Birthday 1oz Silver High Relief Coin
Issued by the Perth Mint, this stunning silver coin has been struck with an incredible high relief finish. To achieve this, each coin must be repeatedly struck on specially prepared presses.
The reverse depicts St. Edwards crown surrounded by wattle branches – just 5,000 have been released worldwide.
4. The Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th Birthday Gold 10oz Coin
Due to the significance of this Royal event, a remarkable 10 ounce gold coin has been issued. That’s the same weight as 33 pound coins!
Featuring the special one-year-only portrait, this 90th Birthday Coin was incredibly popular – in fact, it sold out its entire edition limit in a matter of hours.
5. QEII 90th Birthday Silver Coin Cover
This limited edition Silver Coin Cover features the six UK stamps which have been issued by Royal Mail to mark the Queen’s 90th Birthday. All six evocative photographs feature on our stamps for the first time ever – including a rare picture of the young Princess with King George VI.
The new 2016 Silver Britannia coin is also encapsulated within the cover along with an official postmark by Royal Mail to mark the Queen’s birthday date – 21st April.
6. Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday Photographic Coin
This is the first coin to be issued from The Queen’s 90th Birthday Coin Collection – a new series of photographic coins being issued over the coming months in celebration of the occasion.
The coin has been expertly plated in 24 carat gold and features a full-colour birthday portrait – taken by renowned royal photographer Lord Snowdon for her 80th birthday.
This is a record-breaking moment in British history which will be remembered forever. And the coins and stamps which have been issued to mark the occasion really capture the moment.
Which of the six is your favourite commemorative? Let me know in the comments below.
If you’re interested… 
You can add the Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday Proof Coin to your collection today