[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Marks 25th Anniversary Of “The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” With Special Stamp Issue

• Issue date 20 March
• Each of the eight stamps in the main set features a montage from the film trilogy celebrating iconic characters and include hidden messaging – only detectable when using a UV light
• A further four stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, show iconic locations from across the franchise
• The stamps and a range of collectible products are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/lordoftherings and by telephone on 03457 641641

Royal Mail, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), has revealed images of a set of 12 new stamps that celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

The main set of eight stamps features a montage from the film trilogy celebrating iconic characters from across the franchise. British actors who played the characters featured are Orlando Bloom as Legolas, Ian McKellan as Gandalf, Dominic Monaghan as Merry, Billy Boyd as Pippin and Christopher Lee as Saruman.

The stamps also include hidden messaging – only detectable when using a UV light – showing Elvish writing in a ring shape.

A further four stamps presented in a miniature sheet pay homage to four iconic locations – from The Shire, where Frodo’s journey begins, all the way to Mount Doom, where he must throw the One Ring into the fires to destroy it once and for all. Also shown are Rivendell, an Elven refuge and sanctuary, and the monumental Argonath, which marks the northern border of the kingdom of Gondor.

‘The Lord of the Rings’ title used on all 12 stamps in the set, replicates that of the iconic typeface used for the films.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “The Lord of the Rings ranks as one of the most iconic and beloved film series of all time, and we’re delighted to celebrate its enduring popularity with this set of Special Stamps. Each design captures the epic storytelling, artistry and imagination that have made Middle earth such a treasured part of British and global culture. We’re proud to bring these striking stamps to the nation’s letterboxes.”

Rachel Wakley, SVP & General Manager – UK & Ireland, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products said: “We’re delighted to see this special stamp collection honour the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The film has left an enduring mark on audiences around the world, and this beautifully crafted set captures the spirit, artistry and cinematic legacy that continue to inspire fans a quarter of a century on.”

The Lord of the Rings
Based on the revered The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books by J.R.R. Tolkien, New Line Cinema’s epic six-film series directed by Peter Jackson has been embraced by generations of fans, earning $6 billion at the global box office and 17 Academy Awards, becoming the most awarded series in cinematic history. Set in Middle-earth, the series begins as Frodo Baggins embarks on a perilous mission to destroy the legendary One Ring, and an adventure like no other continues from there. In 2021, the Library of Congress selected The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. Following the first film’s milestone 25th anniversary in 2026, a new film, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, is planned for release in theatres, with additional films to come.

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/lordoftherings and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 12 stamps is priced at £21.30. The stamps go on general sale from 20 March.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Blooming Marvellous: Royal Mail Celebrates the Beauty of Roses with Special Stamps

• Each of the 10 stamps features a commissioned watercolour painting created exclusively for Royal Mail by acclaimed botanical artist, Marie Burke
• The set showcases a range of wild and cultivated roses, including ‘Constance Spry’, the first English Rose bred by David Austin®
• The stamps and a range of collectible products are available now at www.royalmail.com/roses and by telephone on 03457 641641

Royal Mail has revealed a set of 10 stamps celebrating the beauty of the nation’s favourite flower, the rose. The vibrant images feature original watercolour illustrations of a variety of wild and garden roses, created exclusively for Royal Mail by acclaimed botanical artist Marie Burke.

Among the roses featured is ‘Constance Spry’, the first English Rose bred by pioneering British rose breeder David C.H. Austin, which launched a new era in rose breeding.

The stamps showcase a stunning selection of roses, from delicate wild species to classic garden favourites, each capturing the unique colour, form and character of the flower.

Roses featured in the set are:

• Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
• Rosa ‘Queen Elizabeth’
• Rosa ‘Just Joey’
• Rosa ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk’
• Rosa ‘Étoile de Hollande’
• Rosa gallica ‘Versicolor’
• Field Rose (Rosa arvensis)
• Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’
• Rosa ‘Peace’
• Rosa ‘Constance Spry’

The stamp issue coincides with the 100th anniversary of the birth of David C.H. Austin OBE, whose work transformed modern rose breeding and helped reintroduce fragrance, beauty and romance to contemporary gardens.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “Roses are a familiar part of many British gardens, as well as holding a special place in British culture and heritage. These beautiful stamps bring together art and horticulture through original illustrations of ten distinctive roses, each carefully interpreted to capture its unique character.”

Royal Mail worked with horticultural historian Jennifer Potter on the stamp issue.

Roses
All roses trace their ancestry back to wild roses native to the northern hemisphere, which typically bear single, five-petalled flowers, such as the dog rose and the field rose found in the UK.

Garden varieties emerged gradually over centuries, first through natural mutations and later through deliberate breeding. Old European roses such as gallicas, albas, damasks and centifolias, including Rosa gallica ‘Versicolor’ and Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’, are celebrated for their rich scent and early summer flowering.

From the 18th century onwards, Chinese roses introduced repeat flowering, transforming rose breeding and leading to the modern hybrid tea roses that remain popular today. Notable varieties include ‘Étoile de Hollande’, ‘Peace’ and ‘Just Joey’.

In 1961, David C.H. Austin introduced ‘Constance Spry’, launching what became known as English Roses, combining the beauty and fragrance of old roses with the flowering performance of modern types.

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available on general sale now at www.royalmail.com/roses and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 10 stamps is priced at £13.75.