[press release]
Royal Mail Reveals Christmas Stamps For 2021

• Royal Mail celebrates Christmas 2021 with a series of six stamps, exclusively illustrated by internationally renowned artist, Jorge Cocco
• The illustrations warmly reflect the Biblical story of the Nativity from the Annunciation through to the journey of the Magi and the birth of Christ
• Royal Mail is encouraging customers to post their festive greetings early and order their online gifts and shopping well in advance, to help its posties deliver the bumper festive mailbag
• The stamps are on sale from 2 November. They will be available at www.royalmail.com/christmas2021 , by phone on 03457 641 641 and 7,000 Post Offices across the UK

Royal Mail has revealed its Christmas 2021 stamps, featuring scenes of the Nativity, exclusively illustrated by the internationally renowned artist, Jorge Cocco.

The illustrations warmly reflect the Biblical story of the Nativity from the Annunciation through to the journey of the Magi and the birth of Christ.

The six designs, portraying the Nativity, are reflective of Cocco’s modern style of painting – ‘sacrocubism’ – illustrating sacred events through post-cubist art.

Cocco’s work has won numerous awards and been acquired by important collectors. His work has been exhibited by 16 museums throughout the world.

Royal Mail also worked with Dr Andrew Davison Starbridge Associate Professor in Theology and Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge on the stamp issue.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “For many, the launch of our annual Christmas stamps marks the start of their festive planning. We hope that people will appreciate these beautiful illustrations of the Christmas Story, and that they will be encouraged to post their cards and parcels early this year.”

This year a limited number of Christmas stamps will feature barcodes. The addition will ensure that each barcoded stamp can be uniquely identified, which will pave the way for innovative customer services in the future.

The stamps are on sale now and will be available at www.royalmail.com/christmas2021, by phone on 03457 641 641 and in 7,000 Post Offices across the UK.

Not mentioned in the press release are a minisheet featuring eight stamps (two each of the barcoded ones)…

…and a “Collectors Sheet:” Twenty Christmas 2021 stamps set against a beautifully illustrated backdrop of four angels. It includes eight Second Class, eight First Class, two £1.70 and two £2.55 stamps from the Christmas 2021 issue. The first day covers for the stamps and the minisheet are available with two different cancels: Tallents House and Bethlehem, Llandeilo, postmarks. Also available are postcards and a presentation pack.