Issue Date: Tuesday, 8th November 2016 Reason and Inspiration
In much of the world, the idea of a British Christmas is the epitome of the seasonal celebration. This year’s set celebrates some of the key traditions of a UK Christmas – decorating the Christmas tree, making a snowman, hanging out a stocking, eating a Christmas pudding and lighting a Christmas lantern. It also includes a robin redbreast, which is synonymous with our Christmas and has a strong association with sending and receiving cards and messages, its appearance on cards having been inspired by the red coats worn by postmen in Victorian times.

Royal Mail has issued Christmas stamps since 1966 and is therefore celebrating fifty years of Special Stamps this year.

As is usual, separate stamps of the Madonna and Child at the 1st and 2nd Class rates will also be available from Post Offices.

STAMPS IN DETAIL
Price: £9.05
Code: AS2178

Technical details:

Number of stamps: Eight
Value of Stamps: 1 x 2nd Class, 1 x 1st Class, 1 x 2nd Class Large, 1 x 1st Class Large, £1.05, £1.33, £1.52 & £2.25
Design: The Chase
Acknowledgements: Illustrations by Helen Musselwhite
Photography by Jonathan Beer
Stamp Format (Standard): Portrait
Stamp Format (Large): Landscape
Stamp Size (Standard): 24mm x 28mm
Stamp Size (Large): 34mm x 28mm
Number per sheet: 50
Printer : De La Rue Security Print
Print Process: Gravure
Perforations: 14.5 x 15
Phosphor: Bars as appropriate
Gum: Self-adhesive

MINIATURE SHEET IN DETAIL
Price: £9.05
Code: MZ120

Miniature Sheet with barcode
Miniature Sheet without barcode

Miniature Sheet contains all eight Special Stamps
Set against a snowy background containing snowflakes

Technical details

Design: The Chase
Miniature sheet size (excluding barcode slip): 179mm x 74mm
Stamp Format: Standard (Portrait)
Large (Landscape)
Stamp Size: Standard (24mm x 28mm)
Large (34mm x 28mm)
Printer : De La Rue Security Print
Print Process: Gravure
Perforations: 14.5 x 15
Phosphor: Bars
Gum: PVA

PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
First Day Cover – Stamps
Price: £11.28
Code: AF415

Available up to 8th November 2016
Contains all eight Christmas stamps cancelled with either a Tallents House or Bethlehem, LLANDEILO postmark

The envelope is beautifully decorated with an illustration of the Christmas tree from the £1.05 stamp

Comes with an illustrated information card comprising a brief summary of 50 years of Royal Mail Special Christmas stamps

First Day Cover – Miniature Sheet
Price: £11.28
Code: MF119

Available up to 8th November 2016

Contains the Miniature Sheet cancelled with either a Tallents House or Bethlehem, LLANDEILO postmark

The envelope is beautifully decorated with an illustration of the Christmas tree from the £1.05 stamp.

Comes with an illustrated information card comprising a brief summary of 50 years of Royal Mail Special Christmas stamps

Information Card
This decoratively illustrated information card bordered by a selection of Christmas stamps issued over the past fifty years is contained in all the First Day Covers, Stamp Souvenirs and Stamp Sheet Souvenirs. It touches on the introduction of Royal Mail’s Special Christmas Stamps which was made a reality in 1966 by the then Postmaster General, Anthony Wedgwood Benn, and provides examples of Christmas stamps issued over the last five decades that have been designed by notable designers, illustrators and photographers such as David Gentleman, Jeffery Matthews, Quentin Blake, Andy Goldsworthy and Raymond Briggs.

First Day Envelope
Price: 30p
Code: AE369

The First Day Envelope is normally available one week before the issue date.