All aboard! Steam Railways set of 6 and miniature sheet issued 25 September 2025

Stockton-on-Tees local publicity slogan used in 1964

Although railways have featured frequently on Royal Mail stamps, special postmarks and even local slogans, this is at last something worthy of commemoration - the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, and steam locomotives in general. 

 For the new issue

"Royal Mail is proud to celebrate the evolution of British steam locomotives on the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which officially opened on September 27, 1825. This railway is historically significant as the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives, revolutionizing transportation and industry in Britain and beyond.

"Central to the commemoration is Locomotion No.1, the pioneering steam engine built by George and Robert Stephenson. The first steam locomotive to carry passengers on a public rail line it symbolised the dawn of the railway age. The locomotive ran on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which connected coal mines near Shildon with the port at Stockton-on-Tees, facilitating more efficient coal transport and setting the stage for the rapid expansion of rail networks across the UK.

"This important anniversary is celebrated through a national campaign; Railway 200, which includes various events and educational initiatives celebrating the legacy of British railways and honours the technological innovation of steam locomotives whilst also highlighting their cultural and economic impact over two centuries."

The stamps

Set of 6 1st class stamps showing Steam Trains issued 25 September 2025.

The stamps show: Locomotion No 1, Rocket, City of Truro, Mallard, Duchess of Hamilton, Evening Star.

Miniature sheet 

The Miniature sheet commemorates the first steam locomotive to carry passengers on a public rail line and features historic images of Locomotive No1 through the years, including photographs from its 100 and 150 year anniversaries. 

Miniature sheet of 4 1st class stamps showing the Stockton & Darlington Railway issued 25 September 2025.

The stamps on the miniature sheet are captioned: Opening of the S&DR, 1825; Locomotion No 1 at Darlington, c 1890; Centenary of the S&DR, 1925; Replica Locomotion No 1, 1975.

[People of a certain age and from a certain part of the country know a different S&DR, that is, the Slow and Dirty Somerset and Dorset (Joint) Railway, properly known as the SDJR.] 

Technical details and acknowledgement

The 60 x 30 mm stamps, designed by Steers McGillan Eves, are printed by Cartor Security Printers in Litho with conventional gum, in se-tenant vertical pairs, perforated 14½.  The MS is 192 x 74 mm containing stamps 41 x 30 mm.  

Acknowledgements: Locomotion No. 1, Stephenson’s Rocket replica, City of Truro, Duchess of Hamilton and Evening Star © Board of Trustees of the Science Museum; Mallard photo © Jamie Lorriman/Alamy Stock Photo; background illustrations by Dave Thompson © Royal Mail Group Ltd 2025; produced under licence by SCMG Enterprises Ltd; Railway Museum™.

Painting of the opening of the S&DR by John Dobbin, 1875, Borough Art Collection © Darlington Borough Council; Locomotion No. 1 at Darlington, c.1890, British Mirror postcard © Mary Evans Picture Library; centenary of the S&DR: photograph by an anonymous photographer, from Railway Building by Cecil J Allen © Mary Evans Picture Library; replica Locomotion No. 1, 1975 © Nigel
Menzies; background images: typography taken from a share certificate of the S&DR, Hopetown Darlington © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0; engine and 11 wagons on the S&DR (detail) © The Institution of Mechanical Engineers/Mary Evans Picture Library; produced under licence by SCMG Enterprises Ltd; Railway Museum™; a special thank-you to Hopetown Darlington/Darlington Borough Council.

Products available

Set of 6 stamps, miniature sheet, first day covers (2), presentation pack, stamp cards, press sheet of 12 miniature sheets, £2 coin cover (MS), silver proof cover, gold proof cover, framed set and MS.

 

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All stamps are - or were - all valid for all services, inland and international.

A recent comment on the previous post asserted that it was not possible to use 2 x 1st class (£1.70) stamps to pay the international postcard or letter rate as the non-denominated (NVI) stamps were only to be used for the service mentioned.

This is totally incorrect as the following examples will demonstrate.  Of course many of these are old-style Machins but the same applies now to stamps and Post and Go stamps.

International Mail

£1.57, 5p and 1st class paying correct rate to Australia

World 20g, World 60g, Europe 20g and Machins airmail to Australia

Denominqted and 2 x 1st class to France

 

Postage on this expensive package to the USA includes a 1st class stamp

From a reader in Canada for the postmarks posts, the postage here is made of 4 recent 1st class stamps, an old 2nd class plus 50p

 

Likewise this one does precisely what was suggested in the other post, using very old 2 x 1st class stamps to (over-)pay the current £3.20 rate

Recent packet to Belarus used 1st class Large datamatrix Machin and denominated stamps

   

I don't have examples of  airmail stamps used inland, nor special delivery used on medium parcels sent by ordinary mail, but they do exist.  They are a way to get these higher value stamps fine used for collections.

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Parcel and tracked prices to increase again from October 2025.

Parent company International Distribution Services (IDS) announcing a return to profit for Royal Mail for the year ending 31 March 2025,  and maybe as a result of this there are no changes to basic letter prices for the second half of this year.

Royal Mail significantly improved its financial and operational performance, returning to an adjusted operating profit (excluding voluntary redundancy costs) of £12 million for the first time in three years, following significant losses in 2022-23 and 2023-24. This is in line with guidance and was achieved despite an increasingly competitive and challenging trading environment.

Not included in the announcement, nor anywhere else in the IDS Media Centre pages, but included on the Royal Mail website is a new 'Our Prices' leaflet (pdf) effective from 6 October 2025.  

No change to inland letter prices

The headline news for most of us is that basic Letter and Large Letter prices remain unchanged for both 2nd and 1st class.  Prices for Small Parcels show very modest increases of 10p and 9p for 1st and 2nd class, whilst Medium Parcels rise by 4% or under.  (New prices in bold, unchanged in italics.)

	1st		2nd
Letter	1.70	1.70	0.87	0.87
Large Letter – 100g	3.15	3.15	1.55	1.55
- 250g	3.60	3.60	2.00	2.00
- 500g	3.60	3.60	2.40	2.40
- 750g	3.60	3.60	2.70	2.70
Small Parcel 2kg	5.09	4.99	3.99*	3.90
Medium Parcel 2kg	7.45	6.99	6.49	6.29
- 10kg	9.35	8.99	8.19	7.89
- 20kg	14.25	13.69	12.25	11.89

Signed For prices for Letters and Large Letters remain similarly unchanged whilst parcels show small rises.  (* Thanks to everybody who pointed out the error; the fact that it wasn't in italics showed that there was a change, I just didn't finish editing it.)

Tracked 24/48 prices show small rises across the board with a basic Large Letter (up to 750g) prices increased by 15p, to £3.80 (24) and £2.95 (48), with the same increases for the Signature option.  Parcels show small rises.

Special Delivery up to 100g rise 5.7% from £8.75 to £9.25, up to 500g from 4% from £9.85 to £10.25.  Those who choose the 9 a.m. option see 28% increase from £38.95 to £49.95 for the basic 100g weight! 

International rates.  The basic worldwide letter and postcard rate rises from £3.20 to £3.40 (6.25%) airmail and from £3.10 to £3.30 for Economy (surface). Prices for airmail Large Letters and Parcels for all Zones remain unchanged, while Economy rates over 250g increase.    Economy Small Parcels rise by from 17% to over 30%.

The good news is that prices for all premium services (International Signed, International Tracked, and International Tracked and Signed) remain unchanged. 

New stamp

This means that there will be a new £3.40 stamp.  More details when we have them from Royal Mail - readers say that the stamp will be issued on 30 September, from their standing order advice notes.

UPDATE 8 September:

A new £3.40 definitive stamp, representing the new international postage rate for letters up to
100g, will be introduced by Royal Mail on 30 September 2025. The £3.40 stamp is printed in Dark
Green. The King’s effigy appears alongside a 2D barcode printed in matching colour alongside the
main body of the stamp, separated by a simulated perforation line.

King Charles III £3.40 definitive in dark green, to be issued 30 September 2025.

Royal Mail customers with a regular order for definitive stamp sets will receive this set as part of their
ongoing subscription.  There will also be an official first day cover and single-stamp presentation pack.

RM Product code DS2200 Dark Green: up to 100g all Europe & World Zones 

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September postmark slogans and other interesting postal markings.

September starts (as August ended) with the default British Heart Foundation slogan.  Las year we had Air Ambulances week and 'Thinking of You' week one of the regular exhortations from the greetings card industry to 'send a card'.

Here's an early example of the BHF slogan that we received at home. This is from Peterborough Mail Centre dated 02-09-2025

British Heart Foundation slogan from Peterborough Centre 02-09-2025

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As expected the slogan for Air Ambulance Week has now appeared.  Thanks to PC for this one from South East Anglia Mail Centre 06/09/2025.

Support your
Air Ambulance

Air Ambulance Week
September 9th - 15th

Support Your Air Ambulance slogan South East Anglia Mail Centre 06/09/2025

 

 

 

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Other postmarks and postal markings, etc

I haven't seen any news reports about this postbox repainted recently in Dartford, reported by Lars Tåders.  Let us know if you see any more - although as they are almost certainly unofficial I probably won't give them too much publicity.

I suppose commercial sponsorship of postboxes would be another way to make money but I don't think this will happen!

 

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Remember, slogan postmarks appearing in Sepember will be added to this post, so check here before you spend time scanning and emailing.

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DUCK!!! - Flock of 10 landing on 11 September 2025

These stamps have quite attractive photographs and the set includes a mix of 2nd and 1st class stamps which will please letter writers across the country - as well as those collectors who are still buying everything that Royal Mail churns out.

But why?  This is a continuation of the Animals and Nature series - but we had Garden WIldlife in March, and Mushrooms in July.  At this rate can we expect Royal Mail to be issuing as many stamps as their fulfilment services in Duxford and Edinburgh, and the printers, can cope with?

I've delayed so far and I must now quote to you Royal Mail's justification for this set - aside from the fact that they know collectors will but them there are, apparently a lot of influencers out there videoing ducks - I kid you not!

Reason (slightly edited)

Royal Mail are excited to reveal a set of 10 stamps celebrating the UK species of ducks. Of over 120 duck species globally, 22 are found in the UK, inhabiting our rivers, wetlands, coasts, and estuaries.

Ducks have become surprisingly collectible (albeit mostly the rubber variety!) and are now a full-blown TikTok sensation with adorable ducks waddling through kitchens to pet ducks splashing in bath tubs, the hashtag #ducks has racked up hundreds of thousands of posts and millions of views.

With these stamps we extend our animals and nature series of issues, with a set of ten stamps featuring many of the popular breeds found in the UK both in flight and in their natural environment.

The stamps

Set of 5 x 2nd class and 5 x 1st class stamps featuring British ducks issued 11 September 2025.

2nd Class: Goosander, Indian Runner, Mallard Duckling, Mandarin and Call.

1st Class: Aylesbury, Pintail, Silver Appleyard, Shelduck, and Eider.

Now I know it's fine to show both male and female of the species, but the male eider is one of the most distinctive ducks in the country.  Not just for its call but for its striking plumage of black and white, with green patches and a pink lower breast.  (What other bird has this colour green?)  Seen widely but especially on the east coast from Aberdeenshire to Northumberland this is one you couldn't fail to identify - once seen never forgottne.  But not the female on the stamp which, from a distance, looks much like many other female ducks.

 Male eider duck pictured in a harbour on Aberdeenshire's north coast.

Technical details and acknowledgements

The 37 x 35 mm stamps are printed in two sheets of 50 in litho with ordinary gum by Cartor Security Printers, perf 14½ x 14.   Design was by Michael O'Shea and copyright Royal Mail Group Ltd 2025.

Collectors Sheet

A collectors sheet consisting of the 10 stamps in the set with accompanying labels of ducks in their natural habitat. The stamps and labels are set with the lower border showing a female Goosander carrying her chicks.
Note: The Collector Sheet is printed on self-adhesive paper so these stamps are a print variety.

Sheet containing  5 x 2nd class and 5 x 1st class stamps featuring British ducks
issued 11 September 2025.

Products available 

Set of 10 stamps, first day cover, presentation pack, collectors sheet, framed set, framed sheet.

 

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Packet mail to US held back because of Trump Tariffs.

Readers will have seen that postal authorities have taken various approaches to the Trump Tariff situation. Although the tariffs will apply differently to all nations, the US government (= president) has decided that all incoming mail may now be subject to duty and charges.

Most countries have what is known as a de minimis figure below which goods are allowed to pass without charge.  This would originally have been designed to cover personal gifts rather than trade, although small - possibly valueable - items would have slipped through, as long as they had no declared value on a customs form.

In the US the Obama administration raised the limit there from $200 to $800 (£560).  Subsequently the Chinese distirbutors Temu and others flooded the world with all manner of goods which included free shipping at a price which could not be matched in most western countries.  It was this that caused Trump in his previous administration to threaten to pull out of the UPU, which eventually led to different postage rates for mail to the USA as Royal Mail's world zone 3.

So Pres. Trump has decided to abolish the limit altogether.  Now you might think that this would hold up all the mail until US Customs had examined every item.  But the US has seen how the EU and Australia, among others, have solved this problem.  They decided that all online marketplaces (think eBay, Etsy) calculated and the sums due (with varying degrees of accuracy) and remit it to the authorities.  

In the UK companies can use a system set up by Royal Mail, but this would require everything - including postage - to be handled through their website, ie no stamps.

Up to date 

Royal Mail is working on a similar system for the current situation for mail to the US; but in the meantime goods packages are not being accepted at Post Offices*. Letters and Large Letters not requiring a customs label are still being accepted and sent to America.   (Presumably it is not possible to buy online postage for packets to the US either.)

I have already seen one report where a lady posting a birthday card was told she couldn't send it.  This is wrong!  So if you are posting a card or letter, or even sending a few stamps in an ordinary letter (which should be declared but of course many aren't) post offices should still accept it.  If you are refused, ask them to double check the instruction.

*Elsewhere
The same applies across the world.  Most European countries, South Korea, Australia and others are not sending packets to the USA.

Postal History 

When the EU changed their system Royal Mail produced a new rejecttion label shown here and alongside.  It's possible they will do something similar especially to catch mail posted in boxes.  If you find anything like this, please let me know for reporting here.

UPDATE 27 August:

It seems that the only items which can now be posted using stamps in postboxes or at post offices are personal letters and cards.  Even gifts valued under US$100, which suffer no duty, must be declared so posted at the branch and with postage (and the extra 50p handling charges) generated by label - paid for in cash or card.

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Packet scanning at postboxes development

In March Royal Mail announced a new development in posting tracked packages:

To use the service customers simply need to open the Royal Mail app, select ‘proof of posting’ and the postbox they are at will appear. They then scan their barcoded label, select ‘post now’ and the customers will receive their proof of posting confirmation message. 

Thanks to JW of Edinburgh I can now show what seems to be a further development in the process, certainly it's a different type of postbox to the one shown in March.

Far from 'the postbox they are at will appear' (presumably using a GPS locator), this one now requires the packet to be scanned using the scanner on the postbox. 

I assume that there are two containers inside the box, which will enable the 'to be postmarked' and labelled mails to be kept separate.  (Click on the image to enlarge so that you can read the instructions!)

If anybody has any other developments, including using the boxes with solar panels on, I will be pleased to report on them.

 

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Tudor Crown is appearing in Royal Mail cruciform - but very slowly!

Over a year ago Royal Mail announced that they were adopting the Tudor Crown in their logo but that it would be done gradually - and we recently reported that some Downstream Access PPI, which is used by Direct Mailers, so they would use up old stationery first.

But Royal Mail are also moving slowly.  Today I received the latest batch of stamps from the Swapout scheme.  The letter has the new crown - but the Special Delivery postage label - which I'm sure is printed on demand for each item as it contains the name and address and barcode - still has the old.  The envelope that the label was stuck to (ENV 04) also has the old crown.

Special delivery label on the left, and letterhead on the right.

KC reports that he had a statement of account with old cruciform on the statement but in an envelope with the new cruciform (ENV 32)

 

Royal Mail envelope ENV 32

and Order advice note with new cruciform on the advice note but in an envelope with the old cruciform (ENV 10).

JG reports the new crown in use in recent digital stamps - the direct mail with preprinted stamps - both the  Christmas 2nd class and the King Charles III 2nd class, both from The Delivery Group.

 Any more reports?

 

 

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Nobody Expects Spam... Monty Python set of 6 and miniature sheet - 14 August 2025

A set which will be widely popular will be issued on 14 August, marking the 50th anniversary of the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  The first programme of the television series Monty Python's Flying Circus aired on 5 October 1969.

As recorded in Wikipedia:

The programme came about as the six Pythons, having met each other through university and in various radio and television programmes in the 1960s, sought to make a new sketch comedy show unlike anything else on British television. Much of the humour in the series targeted the idiosyncrasies of British life, especially that of professionals, as well as aspects of politics. 

Their comedy is often pointedly intellectual, with numerous erudite references to philosophers and literary figures and their works. The team intended their humour to be impossible to categorise, and succeeded so completely that the adjective "Pythonesque" was invented to define it and, later, similar material. Their humour was not always seen as appropriate for television by the BBC, leading to some censorship during the third series. Cleese left the show following that series, and the remaining Pythons completed a final, shortened fourth series before ending the show.  

Six years ago, Royal Mail marked the 50th Anniversary with a slogan postmark used nationwide.

50 Years of Monty Python's Flying Circus slogan postmark used Norwich Mail Centre 04-10-2019

 

From Royal Mail 

Royal Mail is proud to celebrate one of Britain’s most influential and enduring comedy troupes with a special stamp issue dedicated to Monty Python. Synonymous with surreal humour, intellectual absurdity and anarchic creativity, Monty Python has left an indelible mark on global comedy while remaining unmistakably British at its core. 

From their groundbreaking television debut in Monty Python’s Flying Circus to a string of iconic films, their work has shaped the landscape of comedy for nearly six decades. This stamp issue marks the 50th anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail – a milestone for a film that redefined spoof cinema and cemented the group’s international status.

The stamps (Click on images to see larger versions) 

Set of 6 Monty Python's Flying Circus 1st class stamps issued 14 August 2025.

 

Royal Mail's descriptions of each of the six x 1st class stamps are for identification purposes only - how many different sketches (or situations/characters) can you identify? !  (Email, please rather than comment)

1. Terry Gilliam as A Man with a Stoat Through his Head

2. John Cleese as a Gumby Brain Specialist

3. Terry Jones as the Nude Organist, Lumberjack

4.  Ministry of Silly Walks

5. Graham Chapman as the Colonel, Nudge-Nudge.

6. Spam 

Miniature Sheet

A special 192 x 74 mm miniature sheet celebrating Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the cult 1975 film that parodied Arthurian legend with outrageous humour and unforgettable one-liners. 

Contains four 1st Class stamps, each featuring a still from a classic scene in the film and set against a whimsical illustrated background with the film’s logo and artwork Celebrates the 50th anniversary of the film’s release in 2025 – a milestone moment for one of the most quoted and beloved comedies of all time. A must-have for fans of Monty Python, British cinema, and offbeat cult comedy

Miniature sheet of 4 Monty Python and the Holy Grail 1st class stamps issued 14 August 2025.

The Black Knight’s defiant “‘Tis but a scratch!” 41mm x 30mm (perf 14.5 x 14)
 
King Arthur & his knights receiving their divine quest “That is your purpose, Arthur” 60mm x 30mm  (perf 14.5)

Sir Galahad’s near-miss in the Castle Anthrax – “You're lucky, you're not next to him!” 37mm x 35mm  (perf 14.5 x 14)

The panicked cry of “Run away! Run away!” from a failed charge 27mm x 37mm (perf 14)

Technical details and acknowledgements

Common Curiosity designed the 60 x 30 mm stamps which were printed in litho with conventional gum by Cartor Security Printers in sheets of 60.

© 2025 Python (Monty) Pictures Limited under license from Bravado International Group Limited.
All rights reserved. Terry Gilliam as A Man with a Stoat Through his Head in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, photograph by Radio Times via Getty Images; John Cleese as a Gumby Brain Specialist, Graham Chapman as the Colonel, Terry Jones as the Nude Organist and Graham Chapman as a sales assistant at the Ant Counter in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, photographs TCD/Prod.DB/Alamy Stock Photo; dead parrot, photograph © Matthew Chattle/Alamy Stock Photo 

The miniature sheet (dimensions and stamp sizes above) is printed in litho on self-adhesive paper by Cartor Security Printers, with press sheets of 8 also available.

© 2025 Python (Monty) Pictures Limited under license from Bravado International Group Limited. All rights reserved. Old paper scrolls © Andrey Kuzmin/Alamy Stock Photo; vintage roll of parchment © Sergii Telesh/Alamy Stock Photo; ’Tis but a scratch! – Monty Python and the Holy Grail, photograph TCD/Prod.DB/Python (Monty) Pictures Limited/Alamy Stock Photo; That is your purpose, Arthur and Run away! – Monty Python and the Holy Grail, photographs Allstar Picture Library Limited/Python (Monty) Pictures Limited /Alamy Stock Photo; You’re lucky you’re not next to him – Monty Python and the Holy Grail, photograph Collection Christophel/Python (Monty) Pictures Limited/Alamy Stock Photo.

Collector sheet

"A striking Collector’s Sheet celebrating the outrageous humour and cultural impact of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.  Includes all six special stamps from the main issue, each presented in a self-adhesive format Paired with six labels featuring stills from some of Monty Python’s most famous sketches including the “Dead Parrot” confrontation, the “Upper Class Twit of the Year” race and the “Nudge Nudge” innuendo.  [The stills are black and white, as broadcast.]

Set against a theatrical backdrop with a stage curtain design and dramatic clouds and classic Monty Python logo, paying homage to the group’s original BBC opening sequences.   

Note: The Collector Sheet is printed in Litho and Self-adhesive. This is different from the set of stamps, which are printed in Litho and Gummed.

Monty Python Collectors Sheet of 8 stamps and black and white labels.

Fan Sheet 

A limited-edition fan sheet celebrating the cult classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail, released to mark the film’s 50th anniversary in 2025.

Set against a bold, full-colour background featuring the iconic Holy Grail artwork with King Arthur and his knights raised triumphantly aloft.  Individually numbered and strictly limited to only 5,000 copies

Note: The Fan Sheet is printed in Litho and Self-adhesive, the same as the minisheet.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail Fan sheet with 3 x 'Quest for the Holy Grail' 1st class stamps.

Products available

Set of 6 stamps, miniature sheet, first day covers (2), presentation pack, collectors sheet, fan sheet, Holy Grail medal cover, gold and embossed replica miniature sheet (edition of 500 at £150), framed set and miniature sheet (£45), framed collector sheet (£40).

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King Charles III definitives for Scotland - 14 August 2025

New country definitives for Wales were issued in November last year but  in accordance with Royal Mail’s environmental policy, all QE2 stocks of country definitive stamps were used before new stamps were printed.

The Scottish 1st and 2nd Class definitive stamps are now available for the first time featuring the King’s silhouette. The stamp designs featuring Scottish national symbols have been retained from previous country definitive designs. The 1st class stamp features a sculpture of the Lion of Scotland, the 2nd class stamp features a painting of the Scottish saltire.

These are the publicity images, but below are scans of date & traffic light corner blocks of the actual stamps, showing the 2nd class printed on 07/05/205 and the 1st class on 06/05/2025.

Scotland 2nd class King Charles III date block - issued 14 August 2025. 

Scotland 1st class King Charles III date block - issued 14 August 2025.

The stamps were designed by Tayburn: the Saltire was painted by Anton Morris, the Lion of Scotland was sculpted by Frank Pottinger RSA and photographed by Julyan Rawlings.

They are printed in litho on self-adhesive paper in sheets of 25 by Cartor Security Printers.

Official First Day Covers will be available from Royal Mail.

 

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