List of British postage stamps

This is a list of postage stamps issued by the United Kingdom (normally referred to as Great Britain in philatelic usage, even though standard GB stamps are valid alongside their regional counterparts throughout the British Isles.

Queen Victoria

Line engraved

* One penny black issued on the 1 May for use from 6 May 1840
* Twopence blue contemporary issue with the penny black
* One Penny Red issued in 1841 to replace the penny black
* Prince Consort Essay
* Twopence 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 half pence red introduced in 1870 for the reduced printed matter rate

Embossed

* Sixpence embossed
* Ten Pence embossed
* One Shilling embossed

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 & Sons)
* Definitives one and a half pence 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"
* British Empire Exhibition Postage Stamps
* Universal Postal Union Congress, London 10 May 1929
* Low value definitives, 1934-36 (halfpenny to 1s)
* High value definitives, 1934, "Seahorses" (re-engraved)
* Silver Jubilee 7 May 1935

King Edward VIII

* British Edward VIII postage stamps

King George VI

* Low value definitives (original dark colours)
* Low value definitives (pale colours)
* Low value definitives (changed colours)
* High value definitives (original square format)
* High value definitives (rectangular format) 1951
* Coronation 13 May 1937
* Centenary of the postage stamp 6 May 1940
* Victory 11 June 1946
* Silver wedding 26 April 1948
* Channel Islands Liberation 10 May 1948
* Olympic Games 29 July 1948
* Universal Postal Union (UPU) 10 October 1949
* Festival of Britain 3 May 1951

Details available on http://www.kg6gb.org

Queen Elizabeth II (pre-decimalisation)

1952-4

* Low value definitives, 5 December 1952, 31 August 1953, 15 October 1954

1953

* Coronation, 3 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

1958

* Sixth British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Cardiff, 18 July

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
* 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
* Paris Postal Conference, 7 May
* National Nature Week, 16 May
* Ninth International Lifeboat Conference, Edinburgh, 31 May
* Red Cross Centenary Congress, 15 Aug
* Opening of COMPAC (Trans-Pacific Telephone Cable), 3 December

1964

* Shakespeare Festival, 23 April
Note: First set to feature in an illustrated Presentation Pack, including mint stamps, with descriptive notes and protective covering.

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

1965

* Churchill Commemoration, 8 July
* 700th Anniversary of Simon de Montfort's Parliament 19 July
* Salvation Army Centenary, 9 August
* Centenary of Joseph Lister's Discovery of Antiseptic Surgery, 1 September
* Commonwealth Arts Festival, 1 September]
* 25th Anniversary of Battle of Britain, 13 September
* Opening of Post Office Tower, 8 October
* 20th Anniversary of U.N.O. and International Cooperation Year, 25 October
* International Telecommunications Union (I.T.U.) Centenary, 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, 1 December

1967

* European Free Trade Association (E.F.T.A.), 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
* Christmas, 18 October and 27 November

1968

* British Bridges, 29 April
* British Anniversaries, 29 May
* British Paintings, 12 August
* Christmas, 25 November

1969

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

1970

* British Rural Architecture, 11 February
* Anniversaries, 1 April
* Literary Anniversaries, 3 June
* Decimal Currency, 17 June
* Ninth British Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh, 15 July
* 'Philympia 70' Stamp Exhibition, 18 September
* Christmas, 25 November

Queen Elizabeth II (decimal currency)

1971

* 'Ulster '71' Paintings, 16 June
* Literary Anniversaries, 28 July
* British Anniversaries, 25 August
* British Architecture (Modern University Buildings), 22 September
* Christmas, 31 October

1972

* British Polar Explorers, 16 February
* Anniversaries, 26 April
* British Architecture (Village Churches), 21 June
* Broadcasting Anniversaries, 13 September
* Christmas, 18 October
* Royal Silver Wedding, 20 November

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 Sir 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, London, 8 June
* British Wildlife, 5 October
* Christmas, 23 November

1978

* Energy Resources, 25 January
* British Architecture (Historic Buildings), 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, 11 July
* Death Centenary of Sir Rowland Hill (postal reformer), 22 August
* 150th Anniversary of Metropolitan Police, 26 September
* Christmas, 21 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, 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 (poet), 10 March
* Europa. International Events, 7 April
* 350th Anniversary of the Civil War, 16 June
* 150th Birth Anniversary of Sir Arthur Sullivan (composer), Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, 21 July
* Protection of the Environment. Children's Paintings, 15 September
* Single European Market, 13 October
* Christmas. 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
* 25th Anniversary of Investiture of the Prince of Wales. Paintings by Prince Charles, 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
* 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
* Christmas. 150th Anniversary of the Christmas Cracker, 27 October
* Royal Golden Wedding, 13 November

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
* 50th Anniversary of National Health Service, 23 June
* Famous Children's Fantasy Novels, 21 July
* Europa. Festivals. Notting Hill Carnival, 25 August
* 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 Teeside. 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

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, 5 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
*Castles 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

"Subject to change"

*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
*Endangered Species - Birds, 10 April
*Celebrating England, 23 April
*Beside the Seaside, 15 May
*40th Anniversary of the Machin, 5 June
*Grand Prix, 3 July
*Scouts, 26 July
*British Army Uniforms, 20 September
*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. (M/Sheet 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

"Subject to change" this update 7th Apr 2008

*Design Classics (10 stamps + Prestige Book) 13 January
*250th Anniversary Birth of Robert Burns (MS) 22 January
*200th Anniversary 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
*Best of British (10 stamps) 8 October
*Christmas (7 stamps + MS + Smilers) 3 November

ee also

*Postage stamps and postal history of Great Britain
*Regional postage in Great Britain