[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Celebrates 50 Years Of Dungeons & Dragons

• Issue date: 25 July
• A stunning set of 14 stamps features monsters and characters from the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game®
• The stamps have been illustrated by British artist Wayne Reynolds, with 11 of the illustrations never-before-seen for the stamp issue
• The stamps and a range of collectible products are available to pre-order at www.royalmail.com/dnd and by telephone on 03457 641641

Royal Mail has revealed striking images of 14 Special Stamps being issued to celebrate 50 years since the creation of the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D).

D&D is often cited as the first modern role-playing game, and it is currently estimated there are over 64 million fans worldwide. It is hugely popular in the UK.

All 14 stamps in the set have been illustrated by British artist Wayne Reynolds, with 11 images being specially commissioned for this set. Reynolds has previously produced illustrations for various D&D games, handbooks and guides for more than 20 years.

The main set of eight stunning stamps features a selection of iconic monsters from the game: Red Dragon, Owlbear, Vecna, Gelatinous Cube, Mind Flayer, Mimic, Displacer Beast and Beholder.

When an ultraviolet light is shone over the stamps in the main set, a special surprise will be revealed.

Four stamps show the D&D ampersand logo. The other four show a graphic that is relevant to the monster featured on the stamp – Red Dragon (dragon head), Vecna (skull), Mimic, and the Beholder. Each of these four fluorescent graphics was created for the 50th anniversary.

A further six stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, depict dynamic images of a party of adventuring heroes that might be played in the game, including: Tiefling Rogue, Human Bard, Halfling Cleric, Elf Fighter, Dwarf Paladin and Dragonborn Wizard.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy said: “For fifty years, Dungeons & Dragons has enabled millions of fans across the world to enjoy using their imaginations and immersing themselves in a magical world. We are delighted that this creative and exciting role-playing game is celebrated using Britain’s Wayne Reynolds’ unique illustrations.”

Dan Rawson, Global Play Lead, Dungeons & Dragons at Wizards of the Coast: said; “Building on Hasbro’s existing work with Royal Mail, we’re honoured to release this beautiful collection of stamps, officially approved by HM King Charles III, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game. With stunning art from long-time Dungeons & Dragons artist Wayne Reynolds showcasing our adventuring heroes and fearsome creatures, we’re sure these items will be treasured by D&D fans and stamp collectors alike.”

Artist, Wayne Reynolds, said: “Being asked to design the Dungeons & Dragons stamps for Royal Mail was a massive honour for me. As a British artist it was a wonderful opportunity to be able to contribute artwork that I’d created as a long-running D&D fantasy artist to something I consider to be an iconic institution. I get the opportunity to see my artwork on stamp!”

First published in 1974, D&D was originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson in Wisconsin, USA. Introduced to the UK in 1975, it has since become the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game.

The worlds, monsters and gameplay of D&D have influenced popular fantasy tropes in film, television, video games and beyond.

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order at www.royalmail.com/dnd and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 14 stamps is priced at £24.40. The stamps go on general sale on 25 July.

From VSC: Royal Mail are offering a wide range of “philatelic products,” including the usual all-one-design sheets and half-sheets, framed stamps, postcards and a prestige booklet. No platinum ingots! None of the items is priced above £25 (about US$32.43).

Also available are a Dragons medal cover, £19.99Monsters medal cover, £19.99
Collector’s Sheet £20.45 first day covers for the stamps, £19.15
and the minisheet, £10.40
but also a “Prestige Cover,” £3.35.
The alternate postmark for the FDCs is Dragonsville, Durham. Also offered are the Red Dragon Ingot, £24.99 and the Beholder Ingot, also £24.99.