X-Men 60th Anniversary Stamps

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Royal Mail marks the 60th anniversary of X-Men with a new set of 17 special stamps on February 16, 2023. 

The stamps feature some of the most iconic characters in the comic book franchise since 1963. 

Marvel is one of the world’s most prominent entertainment companies with a vast catalogue of iconic Super Hero characters which include the X-Men. 

The 12 stamps in the main set are all original illustrations and have been created exclusively for Royal Mail by renowned British comic book artist Mike McKone. 

They feature: Professor X; Kitty Pryde; Angel; Colossus; Jubilee; Cyclops; Wolverine; Jean Grey; Iceman, Storm; Beast; and Rogue. 

An additional set of five stamps in the form of a miniature sheet has also been designed by comic book artist Lee Garbett and feature some of the mutant enemies faced by the X-Men – Juggernaut, Mystique, Magneto, Emma Frost and Sabretooth. 

The X-Men were founded by mutant telepath Professor Charles Xavier. His first team consisted of Cyclops (Scott Summers), Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), Angel (Warren Worthington III), Beast (Hank McCoy) and Iceman (Bobby Drake) and was based in Xavier’s home, which was transformed into the School for Gifted Youngsters and dubbed the X-Mansion. 

After many of the original X-Men were captured by the mutant island of Krakoa, Professor X formed a new squad to rescue them, bringing heroes such as Wolverine and Storm into a new international team. 

Xavier’s school soon became a refuge for mutants from all over the world, forming and inspiring teams such as the New Mutants, Excalibur and Generation X. Now the X-Men live in a new home – a reborn Krakoa – that welcomes all mutants. 

Cyclops and his allies still fight the good fight as the world’s premier mutant heroes the X-Men, keeping Xavier’s dream alive. 

(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Leonardo Da Vinci 500th Death Anniversary

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 13. 2019

Royal Mail issued a set of stamps on February 13, 2019 to commemorate the 500th death anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci. 

The stamps designed by Kate Stephens showcase 12 beautiful drawings from the artist’s notebooks.

Instead of featuring well known paintings such as The Last Supper or the Mona Lisa, less famous paintings were chosen to be on the stamps. 

These include soft, sfumato portraits, anatomical studies, and botanical sketches. 

(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

The New King Charles III Stamp

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 08, 2023

Great Britain's Royal Mail revealed on February 8, 2023 the new King Charles III definitive stamp. 

The King personally approved the stamp and unlike the stamps featuring his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, he is not wearing a crown.  

"The feedback we got back was that he wanted it to be simple," said David Gold from the Royal Mail. 

Even without the crown, the new stamps have been designed to look similar to the ones featuring the image of the Queen.

It was in 1967 when the stamps with the Queen's profile - which usually means the side-view of a person - were first designed. 

The design of the King Charles III stamp is based on a sculpture made for new coins featuring the King's face. 

The same image has been adapted for the stamps, with millions now being printed.

(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Stamps

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 04, 2022

Royal Mail released eight stamps that  celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. 

The Queen's 70th anniversary of ascending to the throne was featured on the February 4, 2022 stamps. 

She was the first British monarch to reach the milestone. Her reign was captured on photographs, with the images on the stamps ranging from the years 1957 to 2020. 

Her official duties were highlighted - from Trooping the Colour and walkabouts in the UK to her international visits. 

Simon Thompson, the chief executive of Royal Mail, said: "These stamps are a celebration of the second Elizabethan Age and a tribute to a remarkable lifetime of duty and public service." Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022.

(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved