Transformers - More than meets the eye! - 1 September 2022

As is now well known, the 'TBA' issue for September is entitled Transformers, and anyone who had youngsters (mainly boys) in the 1980s will remember the 'Robots in Disguise'.

The Transformers began with the 1980s Japanese toy lines Micro Change and Diaclone. They presented robots able to transform into everyday vehicles, electronic items or weapons. (Wikipedia).  

Optimus Prime instruction diagram: Hiroyuki Obara., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Optimus is the leader of the Autobots, a faction of Transformers who are rivals of the Decepticons, another faction. He is defined by his strong moral character and is almost always portrayed as the primary hero of the story, opposing the evil Decepticon leader Megatron.

And there, or thereabouts, it ended for may as boys grew up and children became men. 

But Hasbro bought into the toys, and hired Marvel Comics to create the backstory, a tv series was started and in 1986 the first film.  And of course there were the comics.  You can read more about it all on Wikipedia.  

As with much of what Marvel have been involved in, merchandise was important, as were fan clubs and conventions.  Which brings me to the big unknown - when will you see the stamps?

TFNation 2022 will be taking place from 12th-14th August 2022, at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, yes, the one in England at the NEC.  And Royal Mail will reveal the stamp images "live on stage" - on Saturday 13th August.  Expect to see some images on the TFNation blog either the same day or the following day, or on social media streams. 

The stamps and numerous other products for die-hard fans will be available to pre-order on Royal Mail's shop on the morning of 13 August.  But images will be embargoed to the national press until Monday 15th August (which date also applies to us).

I can't give any more details now, but you will be able to predict the output given that you have seen Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel Comics, so think 'comic book'-style and remember the special effects department, who are well to the fore with this issue.

UPDATE 30 July:

The final Royal Mail Philatelic Bulletin lists the following products for Transformers:  4 x 1st, 4 x £1.85; miniature sheet 1 x 2nd class, 3 x 1st class, 1 x £1.85±; presentation pack, fdcs, prestige stamp book with 4 x 1st/4 x £1.85/1 x 2nd & 1 x 1st/2 x 1st & 2 x £1.85; Definitive pane 2 each 50p & £1 Machins; press sheet; collectors sheet; postcards (14), and various other items aimed at the Transformer Fanbase.

± Thanks to Chris for pointing out the omission; there are also 'fan sheets', but I count these in my wrap-up at the end.  All will be revealed in due course as there really is more than meets the eye.

Edit: I missed this earlier.  There will be a second chance for RM to sell merchandise, and possibly another special handstamp(?), because the first ever TFN: Mini-Con® will be held in Manchester, UK, on 25th March 2023!

Only 'possibly' a handstamp because at one of the events for a previous issue they sold stamps on cards cancelled with a 'postmark' which was not available anywhere else, so not to us.

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