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.
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| 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)
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| 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
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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).
Can't say I'm overwhelmed by the designs... though will still try to buy the miniature sheet and perhaps a dozen of the 1st.
ReplyDeleteThese have been beautifully designed - they so perfectly reflect their absurdity & comedy style... the Collector's Sheet is stunning!
ReplyDeleteRobert
ReplyDeleteAlas it's a set I won't be buying, was not a fan of the TV Show. RW
I am not going to argue with you as I have not been paid though I might be arguing in my spare tome
ReplyDeleteDo you think that would be a ten-minute argument?
DeleteI am sorry but when I made the comment I did not expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition
ReplyDeleteNo body expects the Spanish Inquisition!
DeleteI shall rush out first thing on Thursday to get the stamps before the ruling class realises what one of the characters is called...
DeleteAgain, too many stamps that won't ever been seen on mail. I have collectors abroad constantly asking me for "recent UK" issues - they're not even in kiloware these days. I fear these may be rarer to find genuinely used than the Norwegian Blue ...
ReplyDeleteI managed to get miniature sheets from our town Post Office on Friday. The clerk asked me how many I sought, so I asked for three. This was all they had had: the passing postmistress said she did not mind if I had them all; with miniature sheets she said that they get them but often sell none, so SE3 Simon is right. New issues are seldom used for postage, just for philately
DeleteThe sad problem is that very few people use stamps these days. I was trying to explain Postcrossing to my 24 year old niece and apparently the only letter she had ever posted was her postal vote from University - no stamp required 😆.
DeleteAlthough Ian has asked "how many different sketches (or situations/characters) can you identify? ! (Email, please rather than comment), I ask that any identifications are repeated here in the comments so that all readers can benefit. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNobody has emailed, so they are coming here slowly. I intended to add all the characters and sketches once they were identified by those with more time and knowledge than I have.
DeleteSo I'll be happy if anyone can go through the stamps and identify sketches and characters for each one. Then I'll put the detail in the meat of the post.
Thanks Ian, although I was a fan of the series many years ago, I have trouble identifying everything on the stamps, so I will be very interested if anyone with more Python knowledge can identify everything. I will keep a watch for your updates.
Delete