In a repeat of the 2022 program opener, Royal Mail’s 2023 stamps kicks off their year with an uninhibited music tribute. Last year the Rolling Stones were honoured with an extensive set of stamps, covers and packs and 2023 gives the same treatment to legendary metal masters Iron Maiden. It’s a raucous start to a new year. 

Regardless of your opinion of Iron Maiden (musical taste-wise), you have to admire the skill used in creating the cancel.

It takes a lot of talent to get that much clean detail into a small postmark.

A couple of changes are in effect with how I’ll be presenting the 2023 program. Royal Mail often issues a huge number of items per stamp and by July, I hit serious stamp fatigue with the sheer amount of material. The volume of items also means the page begins to slow down around June/July, causing the page to kick up error messages if I forget to break the year apart. To get around this, I’ll be listing the primary stamps, presentation packs, cancels and FDCs. If something catches my eye, I’ll include it as well. A note will be posted, under the stamps, about what else is available, all of which can be purchased through the Royal Mail website. 

Cutting back on how many images are posted will allow more time for research and writing. Often there are 39-45 separate items available in some sets, and it’s time consuming listing everything, By picking and choosing relevant items to post,  I’ll also have time to explore special cancels that are issued throughout the year. I really missed doing that last year. As regular readers know, I’m an old cancel hound and love to burble on about them. I felt somehow cheated when I didn’t devote as much time last year to listing them. These independently designed postmarks are often the highlight of the year for me. 

With the new setup in effect, I should be able to get new issues up faster for you. It’ll be fun to post Royal Mail stamps again. And if you’d like to be notified when this page is updated, sign up for my free newsletter. Each week, I list all new articles & updated pages as well as occasionally offer subscribers a look at upcoming articles. 

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Cheers
Catpaw

January

Iron Maiden 
Topics: music

8 stamps, 4 stamps on souvenir sheet, presentation pack, FDC, cancel, 2 collector’s sheets 
Also available are various live performance collector sheets, sheets and half sheets, framed stamps, postcards & 2 medallion covers Iron Maiden – Special Stamp Issues (royalmail.com)
Lithography

• Steve Harris performs in Vancouver, June 2010
• Bruce Dickinson performs at Hammersmith Odeon, London, May 1983
• Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Steve Harris perform in Pamplona, September 1988
• Nicko McBrain performs in Quito, March 2009
• Dave Murray, Bruce Dickinson and Janick Gers perform in Rio de Janeiro, January 2001
• Adrian Smith and Steve Harris perform in Helsinki, May 2018
• Iron Maiden perform at Twickenham Stadium, London, July 2008
• Bruce Dickinson sword fights with Eddie in Birmingham, August 2018

Souvenir sheet stamps:

• Iron Maiden Eddie
• he Trooper Eddie
• Aces High Eddie
• Senjutsu Eddie

Designer: Royal Mail Group

Release date: January 12, 2023

February

X-Men
Topics: comics | superheroes

12 stamps, 3 FDCs, 2 cancels, 2 miniature sheets, 18 postcards, 2 fan sheets (Jean Gray and Wolverine), prestige booklets, stamp packs, 2 silver plated ingots, 2 medal covers, press sheets, limited edition signed sheets, collector sheets, stamp sheet pack with 5 stamps

This is a massive set of stamps, covers etc. I’ve picked the basics to show here. 

Designer: Interabang

Release date: February 16, 2023

March

The Flying Scotsman – 100th Anniversary
Topics: history | trains

8 stamps, 3 FDCs, 2 cancels, presentation packs,  souvenir sheet, limited edition prestige book, framed stamps, postcards, full and press cut sheets 
lithography

This is the last official series using QEII profile

Single stamps:

• Pickering Station, 2016
• The Christmas Dalesman, 2019
• Cathedrals Express, 2017
• At Blyth, Northumberland, 2016
• At Heap Bridge in a blizzard, 2016
• Cathedrals Express, 2016
• Victoria Station, London, 2002
• At Shildon, County Durham, 2019

Souvenir sheet stamps:

• ‘Scotland by the Night Scotsman’ poster, artwork by Robert Bartlett, 1932
• ‘LNER train service to and from Scotland’ advertisement, designed by HL Oakley, 1923
• ‘Edinburgh: Mons Meg’ poster, artwork by Frank Newbould, 1935
• ‘Refuelling the Flying Scotsman’ poster, artwork by Frank Newbould, 1932

Flying Scotsman was the first express passenger locomotive to be built by the then newly formed London and North Eastern Railway in 1923. Designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, then Chief Mechanical & Electrical Engineer at LNER, the Flying Scotsman was the first locomotive to carry LNER’s famous apple green livery.  Flying Scotsman – Flying Scotsman

The 60103 Flying Scotsman steamed into rail history in 1923. It was built in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England in 1922 and ran until 1963. It was retired to the National Railway Museum in York. To celebrate the 100th anniversary, the Museum is running a special event and display. You can sign up for the Flying Scotsman 100 Years Newsletter here Flying Scotsman: 100 Years, 100 Voices | National Railway Museum

Designer: Steers McGillan Eves

Release date: March 9, 2023

Flowers
Topics: flora

10 stamps, 2 FDCs, 2 cancels, presentation pack, half sheets, full sheets & postcards (last two not shown)
lithography

• Sweet Pea
• Iris
• Lily
• Sunflower 
• Fuchsia
• Tulip
• Peony
• Nasturtium
• Rose
• Dahlia

This is the first issue to use the new Charles silhouette

Designer: Charlie Smith Design

Release date: March 23, 2023

April

King Charles III
definitives

4 stamps, 1 tariff stamp, Tariff FDC, Royal Succession FDC, 2 cancels, presentation pack, framed succession Machin stamps
gravure

Waiting on images for 2 FDCs, assorted booklets also available, but I haven’t prepped the images yet.  I’ll post them soon. 

From Martin Jennings’ portrait of Charles for the new coins. 

Colours:

• First Class – Plum Purple
• Second Class – Holly Green
• First Class Large – Marine Turquoise
• Second Class Large – Dark Pine Green
•  £2.20 Tariff – Dark Green

Release date: April 4, 2023

The Legend of Robin Hood

10 stamps, presentation pack, FDC, 2 cancels, sheets & postcards
lithography

The following stamp images will be posted soon:

• First Class Robin Hood is declared an outlaw
• First Class Robin Hood meets Little John
• First Class Friar Tuck carries Robin Hood
• First Class Robin Hood robs the rich
• First Class Robin Hood wins the archery contest
• First Class Robin Hood captures the Sheriff
• First Class Robin Hood helps Maid Marian escape
• First Class Robin Hood marries Maid Marian
• First Class King Richard removes his disguise
• First Class Robin Hood shoots his last arrow

Dr Lesley Coote provided the written information in the  presentation pack. She is an authority on the Robin Hood myth and a lecturer in Medieval Studies and Medievalism at the University of Hull.  Her latest book Storyworlds of Robin Hood: The Origins of a Medieval Outlaw was released in 2020.

Designer/artist: Jon McCoy

Release date: April 13, 2023

May

His Majesty King Charles III: A New Reign

4 stamps on souvenir sheet, collector’s sheet, FDC, 3 numismatic covers (£5 Gold, silver Proof Coin and uncirculated £5 coin), cancel, presentation pack, limited edition gold collector sheet (1000 issued), postcards, framed sheets

lithography

• The Coronation
• Diversity and Community
• The Commonwealth
• Sustainability and Biodiversity

Designer: Atelier Works

Release date: May 6, 2023

Blackadder – 40 Years of Laughs

8 stamps, 4 stamps on souvenir sheet presentation pack, 2 FDCs, 2 cancels, collector’s sheet, limited edition gold collector sheet (1000 issued), sheets & postcards 
lithography 

• Second Class Blackadder the Third, episode 3 – Nob & Nobility: Hugh Laurie, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
• Second Class Blackadder the Third, episode 6 – Duel & Duality: Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry
• First Class Blackadder Goes Forth, episode 6 – Goodbyeee: Tim McInnerny, Hugh Laurie, Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson
• First Class Blackadder Goes Forth, episode 6 – Goodbyeee: Stephen Fry, Rowan Atkinson, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson
• £2.00 The Black Adder, episode 3 – The Archbishop: Rowan Atkinson, Brian Blessed
• £2.00 The Black Adder, episode 2 – Born to be King: Rowan Atkinson, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson
• £2.20 Blackadder II, episode 1 – Bells: Miranda Richardson, Patsy Byrne
• £2.20 Blackadder II, episode 4 – Money: Rowan Atkinson, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson

This classic TV series ran from June 15, 1983 to 1989. It followed the life and hapless life of Edmund Blackadder from 4 periods in British history. It begins with Prince Edmund in 1485 and ends with Captain Blackadder in the trenches of WW1.  

Blackadder’s 40th anniversary celebrated with new stamps – BBC News 

Designers: True North

Release date: May 17, 2023

June

Warhammer

Release date: June 8, 2023

Windrush: 75 Years

8 stamps, FDC, cancel,  souvenir sheet, 3 numismatic covers (50p coin, silver proof finish and gold proof finish coin), cancel , full and half sheets, postcards
offset

The arrival of the ship HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury docks in 1948, bringing 500 passengers from the Caribbean, is a moment that shaped modern Britain. On 22 June 2023 we will mark its 75th anniversary. About — Windrush 75

There are a number of excellent documentaries on Windrush but this adds a personal look at the legacy of slavery, racism & modern Britain.  

This article offers a good background Unravelling the Windrush myth: the confidential government communications that reveal authorities did not want Caribbean migrants to come to Britain (theconversation.com) 

The Conversation also offers a rich archive of articles that offer a broader look at the Windrush generation. Windrush 75 – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation – page 1

Presentation pack insert written by Colin Grant,  British author of Jamaican origin and Associate Fellow at the Centre for Caribbean Studies, and Sonia Grant, independent historian, writer and researcher

A number of artists were involved in creating the artwork for this set

• From Small Island Life to Big Island Dreams by Kareen Cox
• Ode to Saturday Schools by Tomekah George
• Carnival Come Thru! by Bokiba
• Basking in the Sun After a Hard Work Day by Emma Prempeh
• The March by Emma Prempeh
• Here We Come by Bokiba
• Taste the Caribbean by Kareen Cox
• Dancehall Rhythms by Alvin Kofi

The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich  held a special 2 day event to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the arrival of Windrush. 

Home | caribbeansocialforum is another strong resource.  

Designer: The Chase and Supple Studio
Artists: 
Kareen Cox “Coming from a Caribbean background, representation definitely matters to her and she feels that it’s important for children (and adults) to see people in the arts that represent them. Whilst she does draw natural skin-tone based illustrations, she occasionally likes to push the boat out with a huge pop of colour.” About – Absolutely Kareen

Tomekah George  “My stamp pays homage to Caribbean Saturday schools and community’s dedication to uplifting children through education” Tomekah George | Illustrator (@tameks_g) • Instagram photos and videos

Bokiba  “So excited to finally share this I was one of the 5 artists that was commissioned to create Royal Mail stamps for the 75th anniversary for windrush. I illustrated two stamps for the windrush collection my themes were cricket and carnival, will be sharing more later.”  Bokiba (@bokiba____) • Instagram photos and videos

Emma Prempeh “The first image depicts working women, referenced from an actual depiction of my grandma on the right, it meant a lot to use an image from my own archives. She came to the UK in the early 60’s and there was no one else I could think more appropriate than her 🤎 
The second was based on the Bristol Bus Boycott something I was not familiar with but I was up for the challenge, painting entirely made up figures. 𝐸𝓂𝓂𝒶 𝒫𝓇𝑒𝓂𝓅𝑒𝒽 (@reclus__e) • Instagram photos and videos

Alvin Kofi “The theme that I had to represent was daunting.  I felt the weight of my own generation’s ambitions and struggles to celebrate its cultural expression through the vehicle of dancehall music in the 1980’s…”

My overriding visual memory of those dances is of colourful, heavy-bassed, electrifying environments where the most cutting edge dub and reggae tunes were played. Presented by the most flamboyant MCs and DJs who used dub-plates and spun vinyl records, hot from Jamaica.  I wanted the painting to capture the essence of what dance is about, and edited down the composition to convey the most important elements that would stand out on a postage stamp.  So the final composition was stripped down to speakers, the DJ and, of course, the most stylish dancers.” Royal Mail Stamp | Alvin Kofi

Coin designers: 50p Valda Jackson (back of coin) & Martin Jennings (front of coin)

 Release date: June 22, 2023

July

River Wildlife

10 stamps, souvenir sheet, First Day envelope, (sheets and half sheets plus framed stamps also available not shown) 
lithography

• Beaver
• Atlantic Salmon
• Kingfisher
• Beautiful Demoiselle
• Water Vole
• Grey Wagtail
• Common Mayfly
• Otter
• Brown Trout
• Dipper

No official FDC or cancel was released.

Designer: Royal Mail Post (no names listed or either design or photographs)

Release date: July 13, 2023

August

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld

8 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, (sheets and half sheets plus framed stamps also available not shown) 
lithography

• Rincewind
• Moist von Lipwig
• The Librarian
• Granny Weatherwax
• Sam Vimes
• Death and Mort
• Tiffany Aching
• Great A’Tuin

Designer: So design consultants
Artist: Paul Kidby

Release date: August 10, 2023

September

Paddington™ 65 YEARS OF A BELOVED TALKING BEAR

6 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, 3 cancels, medallion cover, sheet of stamps, stamp pack

• Paddington with a jar of marmalade
• Paddington sawing wood
• Paddington pushing a shopping trolley
• Paddington holding an ice cream
• Paddington carrying presents
• Paddington and a crab

Souvenir sheet

• Paddington reaching for a marmalade sandwich
• Paddington and Mr Gruber having elevenses
• Paddington and the Brown family having breakfast
• Paddington baking

Designer: Together Design

Release date: September 5, 2023

Dame Shirley Bassey

8 stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel, presentation pack, fan sheets, framed sheets, plus sheets, uncirculated coin covers etc not shown here
offset

• 1965: Performing at the Pigalle nightclub, London
• 1974: Performing in Bournemouth
• 2009: Performing at the BBC Electric Proms, The Roundhouse, London
• 2002: Performing at the Safeway Picnic in the Park
• 1988: Performing in Brighton
• 1963: On a TV show
• 1999: Singing World in Union with Bryn Terfel during the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup in Cardiff
• 2013: Performing during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, California

Release date: September 21, 2023

October

Harry Potter

Release date: October 19, 2023

November

Christmas 2023

Release date: November 2, 2023