[press release]
Star Wars Droids and Aliens Celebrated on Royal Mail Special Stamps
Royal Mail is to issue a set of eight Special Stamps to mark the upcoming release of the new Star Wars movie, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”
The stamps feature images of droids and aliens that have appeared in the iconic film series.
The stamps will feature a mix of new and classic characters: Maz Kanata; Chewbacca; Supreme Leader Snoke; Porgs; BB-8; R2-D2; C-3PO; and K-2SO.
The stamps are illustrated by British artist Malcolm Tween who also designed the hugely popular Star Wars stamp set issued in 2015.
The four ‘droid’ stamps include design features that become visible only under a UV light
- Each stamp will also feature a scene created by Malcolm Tween especially for the stamps that includes the hero character as well as an iconic spaceship or vehicle
- The stamps celebrate the British expertise behind the Star Wars films as each episode was made with a large British cast and crew
- The style of the ‘1st‘ value on each of the stamps will replicate the iconic font used for the films
Fans can pre-order the stamps in advance from 4 September by visiting www.royalmail.com/starwars
The stamps will be on sale from 12 October 2017 at www.royalmail.com/starwars and from 7,000 Post Office branches across the UK and by calling 03457 641 641
Royal Mail today announces it will issue a set of eight Special Stamps to mark the upcoming release of the latest Star Wars movie, Star Wars: The Last Jedi which launches this December.
The stamps feature images of new and classic droids and aliens that have appeared across the iconic films.
Included in the set are: Maz Kanata; Chewbacca; Supreme Leader Snoke; and from the new movie, a Porg. The droids are: BB-8; R2-D2; C-3PO; and K-2SO.
The stamps are illustrated by British artist Malcolm Tween who also designed the hugely popular Star Wars stamp set issued in 2015 to mark the release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Each stamp will also feature a scene created by Tween especially for the stamps that includes the hero character as well as an iconic spaceship or vehicle.
The four ‘droid’ stamps include fluorescent ink to emphasise some of the design features of the stamps. These will become visible only under a UV light.
In addition, the font used for the ‘1ST’ value of the stamps will replicate that of the iconic typeface used for the films.
DROIDS AND ALIENS
Aliens are non-human species who live alongside humans, speaking either human 
languages or languages of their own. Many aliens have distinctive anatomies, from the tall, hair-covered Wookiees, such as Chewbacca, to the diminutively shaped, short-sighted Maz Kanata.
Droids are everywhere in the galaxy. First developed in the distant past, they assist humans and aliens in every way, from flying spaceships and providing power to spreading war and terror. Most droids speak only in electronic sounds to other droids and have their memory wiped when passed to a new owner. However, some droids escape memory wipes and can appear to develop personalities of their own and even form bonds with their owners.
The new stamps reflect the passion of the British public for the movies, and celebrate the major British contribution to the film series.
Maz Kanata
Deep within the fringes of the galaxy lies a secret castle hideaway presided over by the wise, boisterous figure of Maz Kanata. Over a thousand years old and an ex-pirate herself, Maz holds court within the galaxy’s underworld: smugglers, bounty hunters and thieves. Maz has also been a friend to Jedi, and her castle contains secrets that tell of one Luke Skywalker.
Chewbacca
Faithful co-pilot and companion to Han Solo for many years, Chewbacca was one of the heroes of the Rebellion. Brought back into the orbit of the Resistance after many years of freelance adventuring, Chewbacca witnesses the tragic death of his best friend, Han Solo. All he has left is his ship, the Millennium Falcon, and a new companion, a Force-attuned loner named Rey.
Supreme Leader Snoke
A shadowy figure who leads the First Order, Snoke trained Kylo Ren in the dark side of the Force. He orders the creation of a giant planet-sized superweapon called Starkiller to destroy the New Republic government and commands Ren to hunt down the last Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker. Next, he issues a chilling command: Ren is ready to complete his training…
Porg
Small, flightless birds called porgs are native to the remote planet Ahch-To, where Luke Skywalker is living in exile. The planet is covered with water and rocky islands and is home to the ruins of the first Jedi Temple, where porgs have peacefully made their home. The birds are ill-prepared for the arrival of strangers when Rey and Chewbacca land there in the Millennium Falcon.
BB-8
The plucky droid named BB-8 is a loyal companion to Resistance fighter Poe Dameron in the fight against the First Order. Assigned to Poe to provide flight assistance when piloting his X-wing fighter, BB-8 is separated from his master in a deadly battle with Kylo Ren. Forced to seek new allies, the droid runs into a scavenger named Rey and a renegade stormtrooper called Finn.
R2-D2
This trusty little droid has had an adventurous life, first on board Queen Amidala’s ship during the Battle of Naboo, then in the Clone Wars alongside Anakin Skywalker, and with Luke Skywalker in the fight against the Empire. In recent years, R2-D2 has been in a state of semi-retirement, secretly harbouring the only map that pinpoints the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker.
C-3PO
As a boy on Tatooine, Anakin Skywalker built a protocol droid as a helper for his mother. C-3PO became an expert in matters relating to diplomacy, but he was not equipped for a life of excitement, danger and adventure. Thrust into battles during the Clone Wars and the Rebellion against the Empire, this reticent, nervous droid has time and again helped his friends save the day.
K-2SO
A reprogrammed Imperial security droid with a bluntly honest way of talking, K-2SO is firmly on the side of the Rebel Alliance 
in the fight against the Empire. K-2SO’s ability to blend in when doing reconnaissance work behind Imperial lines is a distinct advantage. He can pilot many types of spaceship and scan and access Imperial communications systems.
Out in cinemas this December, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is the hugely anticipated next chapter in the Skywalker saga, following “The Force Awakens” – the UK’s biggest film of all time.
MINT STAMPS IN DETAIL
Stamp Format: Square
The First Day Covers (above) Feature All 10 Mint Stamps and a special First Day of Issue postmark. 
Hunky Dory, Bowie’s fourth album and released in December 1971. Time magazine chose it as part of their “100 best albums of all time” list in January 2010.
Aladdin Sane, his sixth album and released in April 1973. The album features the iconic photograph by Brian Duffy.
Heroes, his twelfth studio album and released in October 1977. This was the second instalment of his “Berlin Trilogy” recorded with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti. The title track remains one of Bowie’s best known and acclaimed songs.
Let’s Dance, his fifteenth studio album and released in April 1983. Co-produced by Nile Rodgers, and featuring three of his most successful singles Let’s Dance, Modern Love and China Girl. Let’s Dance is Bowie’s best-selling album.
Earthling, his twentieth studio album and released in February 1997. The striking cover art features Bowie in an Alexander McQueen designed Union Flag coat.
Bowie’s 28th and final studio album, released on his 69th birthday – 8 January 2016 – and charting at No.1 in more than 20 countries. Bowie died two days after the release of ★, the album reaffirming his legacy as modern music’s most unrelenting innovator and topping critics’ ‘Best of 2016’ lists.
The Ziggy Stardust Tour, 1972. The tour promoted The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars studio album and took in the UK, North America, and Japan.
The Serious Moonlight Tour, 1983. The tour was designed to support the Let’s Dancealbum and was Bowie’s longest, largest and most successful concert tour.
The Stage Tour, 1978. Also known as Isolar II – The 1978 World Tour and The Low / “Heroes” World Tour because it was staged to promote the Low and “Heroes” albums
A Reality Tour, 2004. Staged to promote the Reality album this tour was to be Bowie’s last tour.
Windsor Castle, the oldest inhabited castle in world and an official residence of HM The Queen, is celebrated with iconic views of both the interior and exterior of the castle. Featured in the set is an image of the world-famous Round Tower that has dominated the Berkshire skyline for over 800 years.
Racehorse Legends will feature eight champion horses that achieved their greatest wins on UK race courses over the last six decades. The stamp issue features original artwork commissioned by Royal Mail of four flat racers and four national hunt horses captured in action during the course of their iconic wins. Included in the stamp issue is Desert ‘Dessie’ Orchid winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989.
