Great Britain’s Royal Mail has released a commemorative set of eight stamps honoring Queen Victoria, accompanied by a souvenir sheet featuring four additional stamps, all issued on November 27. Each of the eight stamps, presented in two horizontal strips of four, showcases iconic Victorian stamp designs, with each stamp priced at the first-class rate of £1.70. Notably, this collection features a watermark that echoes the original designs, marking a first for Royal Mail's modern stamp program. The stamps represent significant historical pieces, including the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp introduced in 1840, and several others that highlight advancements in printing and design methodologies during Queen Victoria's reign.
The souvenir sheet includes photographs of Queen Victoria from various stages of her life, with the selvage prominently depicting her in Diamond Jubilee regalia. In addition to the collector's stamps, Royal Mail has introduced various related products such as prestige stamp books and first-day cover options featuring unique postmarks from notable locations associated with Queen Victoria's history. These offerings are aimed at both avid philatelists and casual collectors, providing insightful historical context through accompanying literature and labels for each stamp, many of which depict original designs and notable developments in British postal history.
Stamps collectors will appreciate the detailed information about the featured stamps and their engravings, as well as the aesthetic appeal of the souvenir sheet. This new issue is not only a tribute to a significant monarch but also a celebration of the evolution of postal service and design in the UK. Collectors looking to enhance their collections should consider acquiring stamps from this series, which is expected to be highly sought after, given it's a tribute to an era that laid the foundation for modern philately. Source