Virtual Stamp Club 2008 Great Britain Stamp Schedule

2008 Great Britain Stamp Schedule
The Virtual Stamp Club
As of 24 March 2008

This schedule represents the latest information from Royal Mail supplemented by information from other sources. The information is subject to change, and no responsibility is taken for errors, omissions or changes. However, if you do notice any wrong links or errors, please email Ian Billings.

*Cancellation images: for all new stamp issues Royal Mail produces two First Day of Issue postmarks, the alternative to the Philatelic Bureau cancellation being shown here. In addition there are usually many sponsored postmarks for new issues, often of a pictorial nature reflecting the stamp designs. For each issue these can be seen by clicking on the Issue Title in column 2. The individual pages linked here will always be updated before this index page, so click on the title for the latest information.

Stamp images are normally released about 20 weeks before the issue.

1998 Schedule :: 2005 Schedule :: 2006 Schedule :: 2007 Schedule

Postage rates change on 1 April in the traditional annual increase.
Approved 2008 rates are shown below with increases in brackets:

domestic standard letter 1st (100g): 36p (+2p)

domestic standard letter 2nd (100g): 27p (+2p)

domestic large letter 1st (100g): 52p (+4p)

domestic large letter 2nd (100g): 42p (+2p)

International (Air-Europe 20g): 50p (+2p)

International (Rest of World, 20g air): 81p (+3p)

International (Rest of World, 60g surface): 82p (+4p)

ALL DENOMINATIONS SHOWN ARE IN POUNDS STERLING (£)
*FACE VALUES SHOWN ARE INITIAL-ISSUE PRICES;
BRITAIN INCREASES SALE PRICE OF CLASS-DENOMINATED STAMPS AS RATES INCREASE

FORMAT FOR THE LISTING IS AS FOLLOWS: Click any stamp images to see a larger picture of the stamps.

Issue Date & Picture All stamps have nationwide release.	Issue title & description	Cancellation image (See note above)*	Comments Scott Catalog Number(s) SG Catalogue Number(s)

Tuesday 8 January	Ian Fleming's James Bond 1st class, 54p & 72p stamps, 2 of each value. Miniature sheet containing all 6 stamps, and Prestige Stamp Booklet. Discussion		All in sheets of 24/48 stamps of each value. Sheets and miniature sheet all with water-activated gum. 1st class initial selling price 34p. Uncut Press Sheet of 12 MS also issued.

Tuesday 15 January	Retail booklet: Love stamp Retail booklet containing 6 x 1st class stamps, two of which will be the Love Greetings stamp, with Smilers(TM) label attached. Discussion	No First Day Postmark as these designs have been issued before.	Booklet of 6 x 1st class stamps, initial selling price Ł2.04*

Tuesday 15 January	Generic Smilers Sheet Utilising three of the most popular stamps used for personalisation with new circular labels; self-adhesive	No First Day Postmark as these designs have been issued before.	Sheet of 20 x 1st class stamps, initial selling price Ł6.80; face value Ł7.35

Tuesday 5 February	Working Dogs Set of 6 stamps: 1st class - Assistance Dog; 46p - Mountain Rescue dog; 48p - Police Dog; 54p - Customs (sniffer) dog; 69p - Sheepdog; 78p Guide Dog. Discussion		In sheets of 25/50.

Thursday, 28 February	Kings & Queens I Houses of Lancaster & York Set of 6 stamps: Issue coincides with Spring Stampex Discussion		In sheets of 25/50

Thursday, 28 February	Kings & Queens I Houses of Lancaster & York: Timeline Miniature Sheet Issue coincides with Spring Stampex		Initial selling price Ł2.24 Uncut Press Sheet of 21 MS also issued.

Thursday 28 February	Greetings Retail Booklet Book of 6 self-adhesive stamps, now with elliptical perfs Issue coincides with Spring Stampex	No First Day Postmark as these designs have been issued before.	Initial selling price Ł2.04*

Thursday, 11 March	Celebrating Northern Ireland Miniature sheet of 4 1st class Carrickfergus Castle, 1st class Giant's Causeway, 78p St Patrick, 78p Queen's Bridge and Friendship Beacon.		In sheets of 30 self-adhesive in se-tenant pairs; miniature sheet conventionally gummed..

Thursday, 11 March	Glorious Northern Ireland Smilers Sheet The Northern Ireland 1st class is the final self-adhesive Country stamp, here in a sheet of 20 with 10 views of the province on attached labels.		Sheet 20 x 1st, face value £6.40* sold for £6.95*

Thursday, 13 March	Mayday - Rescue at Sea Set of 6 showing views of lifebats and helicopters. 1st class, 46p 48p 54p, 69p & 78p. Discussion		In sheets of 25/50.

Tuesday 1 April	Machin and Country definitives 15p shocking pink Machin (1st class make-up stamp); 56p sage green Machin (10gr Europe & postcard rate); 50p grey Machin (colour change only); 54p rust Machin (10gr & postcard worldwide air rate); 81p emerald (Worldwide 20gr letter rate) 50p (Oak tree) & 81p (rose) England 50p (Thistle) & 81p (Tartan) Scotland 50p (Daffodil) & 81p (Prince of Wales feathers) Wales 50p (lace) & 81p (Beleek porcelain) Northern Ireland Discussion	5 official postmarks for Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff, London and Windsor	All values in sheets of 200 The 9p orange is to be reissued; it will be from a new printing but is not regarded by Royal Mail as a new issue.

Tuesday 15 April	Endangered Species - Insects 1. Adonis Blue Butterfly; 2. Southern Damselfly; 3. Red Barbed Ant; 4. Barberry Carpet Moth; 5. Stag Beetle; 6. Hazel Pot Beetle; 7. Field Cricket; 8. Silver-spotted Skipper; 9. Purbeck Mason Wasp; 10. Noble Chafer Beetle Discussion		Initial selling price 36p each.

Tuesday 13th May	Cathedrals Set of 6 colourful stamps. 1st class, 48p, 50p, 56p, 72p, 81p Discussion		Sheets of 25/50; 1st class initial selling price 36p*.

Tuesday 13th May	Cathedrals MS Miniature sheet of 4 colourful stamps. 2 x 1st class, 2 x 81p showing the interior of St Paul's Cathedral. Discussion		Initial selling price Ł2.34*

Tuesday 20th May	'Beside the Seaside' self-adhesive retail booklet Booklet of 6 x 1st class stamps, 4 x gold Machin and 2 x Ice Cream Discussion	No First Day Postmark as this design has been issued before.	Retail booklet: original face value Ł2.16

Tuesday 10 June	Classic Films - Carry On and Hammer Set of 6 stamps: 1st class - Carry On Sergeant; 48p - Dracula; 50p - Carry On Cleo; 56p - The Curse of Frankenstein; 72p - Carry on Screaming; 81p - The Mummy On the same day a retail book of 6 x 1st class gold Machin definitives advertising this stamp issue. Discussion		Sheets of 25/50

Tuesday 17 July	Air Displays Set of 6 stamps 1st class, 48p, 50p, 56p, 72p, 81p Discussion		Sheets of 25/50

Tuesday 17 July	Air Displays Smilers Sheet Smilers sheet of 20 stamps & labels.		Initial selling price Ł7.20*

26 August provisional	Olympics Handover Expected to be a miniature sheet Discussion

August t.b.a.	Beijing 2008 International Stamp Exhibition Generic Smilers Sheet expected similar to that for Washington 2006	No First Day Postmark expected as the design will probably have been issued before.

Thursday 18 September	British Military Uniforms II Royal Air Force 3 x 1st class stamps, se-tenant; 3 x 81p stamps, se-tenant. A Prestige Stamp Book accompanies this issue. Issue coincides with Autumn Stampex

Tuesday 29 September	50th Anniversary of Regional stamps Miniature sheet of 9 x 1st class stamps		Initial selling price Ł3.24*

Tuesday 29 September	50th Anniversary of Regional stamps Sheet of 20 self-adhesive Country 1st class Stamps, 5 each from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with illustrated labels attached.		Initial selling price Ł3.60*

Tuesday 14 October	Women of Distinction Set of 6 stamps

Tuesday 4 November	Christmas - Pantomime 2008 Christmas stamps, miniature sheet and Smilers sheet. 2nd class, 1st class, 2nd class Large Letter, 1st class Large Letter, & two others, plus a miniature sheet containing all values. The 2007 Madonna stamps (2nd class & 1st class) will be reissued.

Thursday 6 November	--> "Lest We Forget" Miniature sheet containing a new 1st class Poppy stamp and 4 x 81p country stamps. Also issued: a 'Smilers'-type remembrance sheet of 20 Poppy stamps with attached labels.		Initial selling price Ł3.58; 'Smilers'-style sheet initial selling price Ł7.75 (face value Ł7.20)

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