Battle of Waterloo (UK 2015)

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The Battle of Waterloo
Issue Date 18th June 2015Waterloo-Full-Set-stamps

Reason and inspiration:
It is 200 years since one of the most famous battles in British history, that was the culmination of two decades of conflict, and which essentially saw the birth of modern Europe. The Battle was a contest between Napoleon’s army and an Allied army composed of British and German forces under Wellington and Prussian forces under Blucher.

The Waterloo 200 organisation plans a number of commemorative events in June, including a service of thanksgiving in St Pauls Cathedral as well as re-enactments of the battle which will take place in Belgium. The UK government has given £1m towards the commemorations including the first ever monument at the battlefield to the British troops who died, which features the defence of Hougeoumont Farm, as well as funds to restore the buildings there.

Stamp details
The key events and exchanges of the Battle on the day are marked with the six sheet stamps, in chronological order and using paintings made within a few years of the battle.

  • hougoutnutDefence of Hougeoumont Farm
  • Scots Greys at the charge of the Union Brigade
  • Massed ranks of French cavalry (Cuirassiers) charge and repulsed by British infantry squares
  • La Hay Saint Farm defence by King’s German Legion
  • Prussians arrive and capture of Plancenoit
  • The final attack of the French Imperial Guard

We have worked with historians and art historians on this issue. The final stamp is of the large painting that hangs in Apsley House, London and was bought by Duke of Wellington himself.

Stamp Set Price: £6.30 Code: AS12B

Stamp technical details

  • Number of stamps: six
  • Design: Silk Pearce
  • Acknowledgements: Defence of the Chateau de Hougoumont by the Flank Company, Coldstream Guards, 1815 by Denis Dighton, 1815 © National Army Museum London/Bridgeman Images; The Battle of Waterloo: The Charge of the Second Brigade of Cavalry by Denis Dighton, 1815–17, Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2014; Attack on the British Squares by French Cavalry, Battle of Waterloo, 1815 by Denis Dighton, 1815 © National Army Museum London/Bridgeman Images; The Defence of the Farm La Haye Sainte, Battle of Waterloo by Adolf Northen, 1858, Niedersaechsisches Landesmuseum, Hannover © Erich Lessing; Prussian Troops Storm the Village of Plancenoit during the Battle of Waterloo by Adolf Northen, 1863, Kunsthalle, Hamburg © Erich Lessing; The Battle of Waterloo by Sir William Allan, 1843, Apsley House, London © English Heritage
  • Stamp Format: landscape
  • Stamp Size: 60mm x 30mm
  • Number per sheet: 18/36
  • Printer: International Security Printers
  • Print Process: lithography
  • Perforations: 14.5 x 14.5
  • Phosphor: bars as appropriate
  • Gum: PVA

Miniature Sheet details
The miniature sheet commemorates the rank and file soldiers who fought on the day, of grenadiersthe key nationalities that took part, noting the multinational nature of the conflict

  • 92nd Gordon Highlanders
  • Light Infantry, King’s German Legion
  • Prussian Infantryman
  • French Imperial Guard Grenadier

Miniature Sheet Price: £3.92 Code: MZ107

Miniature sheet technical details

  • Number of stamps: four
  • Design: Webb & Webb Design Limited
  • Illustrations: Chris Collingwood
  • Acknowledgements: The Battle of Waterloo map engraving by Alexander
  • Keith Johnston © Private Collection/The Stapleton
  • Collection/Bridgeman
  • Miniature sheet size: 146mm x 74mm
  • Stamp Format: portrait
  • Stamp Size: 27mm x 37mm
  • Printer: International Security Printers
  • Print Process: lithography
  • Perforations: 14 x 14
  • Phosphor: bars as appropriate
  • Gum: PVA