[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Celebrates Terry Pratchett’s Fantasy Discworld Series with Special Stamps

Issue date: 10 August

• The eight stamps also mark the 40th anniversary of the publication of the first Discworld book, The Colour of Magic
• The stamps include characters Rincewind, The Librarian, Granny Weatherwax, Sam Vimes, and Great A’Tuin, as well as specially commissioned artworks of Death and Mort, Tiffany Aching and Moist von Lipwig
• The stamps are available at www.royalmail.com/discworld, by telephone on 03457 641 641 and at 7,000 Post Office branches across the UK

Royal Mail has revealed images of a set of eight Special Stamps being issued to celebrate Terry Pratchett’s globally popular, fantasy Discworld series, and the 40th anniversary of the first book in the series, The Colour of Magic.

The stamps include characters Rincewind, The Librarian, Granny Weatherwax, Sam Vimes, and Great A’Tuin (left), as well as specially commissioned artworks of Death and Mort, Tiffany Aching and Moist von Lipwig by Terry Pratchett’s illustrator of choice, Paul Kidby.

Sir Terry Pratchett, OBE (1948–2015) is regarded as one of the UK’s greatest fantasy writers. His defining work is the Discworld series, which spans 41 novels that have been translated into over 40 languages, with more than a hundred million copies sold worldwide.

Discworld is a flat, circular planet revolving on the shoulders of four giant elephants who stand atop a vast star turtle called the Great A’Tuin. This turtle is 10,000 miles long and of the species Chelys galactica. Its shell is scarred with meteor craters, and its eyes are as big as seas.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy said: “These striking stamps will be loved by generations both young and old. Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels remain as popular as ever and it is fitting that in the 40th anniversary year of The Colour of Magic, we celebrate with a set of stamps that honour the work of an iconic and globally admired writer.”

Royal Mail worked closely with Terry Pratchett’s estate, as well as Paul Kidby, who has been illustrating Discworld for 30 years.

Paul began working with Terry Pratchett in 1993 and has designed the Discworld book jackets since 2002. He has illustrated many Discworld publications including ‘The Art of Discworld’, best-selling ‘The Last Hero’ and the 2017 publication ‘Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Imaginarium’. In 2019 he illustrated ‘Good Omens’ written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

Illustrator, Paul Kidby said: “It has been a huge honour to illustrate this set of stamps to commemorate 40 years of Discworld. I am delighted to finally be able to tell people about it as it has been a big secret to keep! It’s a wonderful celebration of Terry’s ongoing legacy and continued popularity.”

The stamps are available at www.royalmail.com/discworld, by telephone on 03457 641 641 and at 7,000 Post Office branches across the UK. A Presentation Pack including all eight stamps in the set is priced at £13.50. The stamps go on general sale on 10 August.