Flying in the post - Military Jets, set of 8, MS, etc, issued 30 July 2026

You could argue, with some justification, that the Royal Air Force has had more than its fair share of stamp issues over the years, but Royal Mail is concentrating here in the evolution of jet aircraft with passenger jets being covered by a set of five in 2002.

Of course 'RAF Jets' means some more repeat visits, notably the Avro Vulcan which gets the full treatment this time.  One subject that doesn't specifically get a revisit this time is the Red Arrows.

From Royal Mail

2026 marks a number of important anniversaries in the evolution of Jet Aircraft and Royal Mail is delighted to recognise these key events with a set of commemorative stamps in celebration of some of the British military’s most iconic jet aircraft alongside the story of Sir Frank Whittle and the development of the jet propulsion engine. 

This year mark 50 years since the Hawker Siddeley Hawk entered service in 1976, 70 years since the Gloster Javelin and Avro Vulcan entered service in 1956, and 80 years since the de Havilland Vampire first entered service in 1946. 

This year is also 30 years since the death of Sir Frank Whittle (1 June 1907 – 8 August 1996) an English engineer, inventor and Royal Air Force officer who is credited with co-creating the jet propulsion engine. 

In 2002, Whittle was ranked number 42 in the BBC poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. The Medal Cover in this product range celebrates Sir Frank Whittle’s impressive career.

The Stamps 

Set of 8 x 1st class stamps featuring Military Jets issues 30 July 2026

Sheet 1: Gloster Meteor F1, Gloster Javelin FAW9, Hawker Siddeley Hawk T1, Avro Vulcan B2

Sheet 2: De Havilland Vampire FB5, Panavia Tornado GR4, Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S2B, Lockheed Martin D- 35B Lightning IIÏ

Miniature Sheet

2026 marks 30 years since the death of Sir Frank Whittle, the Pioneer of the Jet Aircraft, who is the focus of our Miniature Sheet. Whittle developed the jet propulsion engine and this Miniature sheet includes four 1st class stamps featuring photographs of him throughout his career.

Military Jet Aircraft:  Frank Whittle miniature sheet of 4 x 1st class stamps issued 30 July 2026

Technical details and acknowledgements

The 41 x 30 mm stamps are from Webb & Webb Design Ltd printed in lithography with ordinary gum by Cartor Security Printers in two sheets of 48 perforated 14½x14.  The 146 x 74 mm miniature sheet contains 41 x 30 mm stamps perforated 14½x14.

RAF logos are trade marks of the UK Secretary of State for Defence and used under licence. llustrations: Gloster Meteor F1, Gloster Javelin FAW9, Avro Vulcan B2 and Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S2B © Chris French; Hawker Siddeley Hawk T1, De Havilland Vampire FB5 and Panavia Tornado GR4 © Paul Couper; Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II © Alex Hamilton.

Frank Whittle at RAF Cranwell, c.1925 © Estate of Frank Whittle; Frank Whittle at his desk, c.1945 © IWM TR 3737; Frank Whittle with his WU turbojet, c.1988 © SSPL/Getty Images; Frank Whittle with his research team, 1944 and background image of Frank Whittle using a slide rule, 1944 © James Jarche/Popperfoto via Getty Images

Collector Sheet and 'Fan Sheet'.

This ten stamp Collectors Sheet (£19.20) showcases the stunning illustrations of the set of 8 stamps, plus 2 each of the Gloster Meteor and De Havilland Vampire. The 10 stamps are paired with photographs of the aircraft in flight against a backdrop of a Gloster Javelin FAW7 in flight.

The Avro Vulcan B2 Fan Sheet (£8) celebrates aviation history with the iconic Avro Vulcan B2 —Britain’s revolutionary delta-wing strategic bomber and Cold War legend. The Vulcan B2 embodied power and innovation when it came into service in 1960. This striking sheet includes 4 of the Avro Vulcan B2 1st class stamps and captures the spirit of one of the RAF’s most advanced and unforgettable jet aircraft of its time.

Products available

Set of 8 stamps, miniature sheet, first day covers (2), stamp cards (13), presentation pack, press sheet of 15 miniature sheets, Collector sheet, Fan sheet, medal cover (featuring the ms 25g silver-plated copper proof medallion, limited to 5,000 and priced at £25), framed set (£40), framed and signed enlarged illustration of the Meteor (limited to 200, price £150).

(The Gloster Meteor was previously shown in the Aircraft Designers issue of 1997, the Hawker Siddley Hawk and the Avron Vulcan in the Red Arrows issue of 2024, the Vulcan (shown at the top of this post) in the RAF Centenary set of 2018, 

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Flying in the post - Moths set of 10, 9 July 2026

According to Royal Mail

"There are over 2,500 moth species recorded in the United Kingdom, compared with around 80 butterflies, and they exhibit astonishing diversity, which is largely hidden to us humans because moths are mostly nocturnal. 

Yet many moths do fly by day and are as beautiful as butterflies, including the emperor moth and the hedge beauty moth. Bizarrely, the female of the lesser bagworm moth does not have wings, legs or scales, the very things that define moths and butterflies as Lepidoptera, the scale-winged insects. 

The number of species in the UK is rising as our warming climate encourages moths to move north from Europe, and as the warmth is allowing once rare southern species, such as the dark crimson underwing moth, to become much more widespread. 

Moths have a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon), and adult – which are typically, though not always, winged (like butterflies). During the caterpillar stage, they consume food, grow, and later undergo metamorphosis to emerge as adult moths. 

Moths have a bad reputation as clothes-munchers, yet only two species in the UK eat wool and feathers. Caterpillars of others eat a remarkable range of food, including leaves, fruits, living and dead wood and even fungi. 

The complete set of ten Moths stamps showcase beautiful illustrations by renowned wildlife artist Richard Lewington, bringing each moth species to life with exceptional detail and scientific accuracy. 

This set is a vibrant celebration of British biodiversity, capturing moths in their natural settings and will appeal to nature enthusiasts and philatelists alike. 

The stamps

Set of 5 x 2nd class and 5 x 1st class stamps showing moths, issued 9 July 2026

2nd class: Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia, Puss Moth Cerura vinula, Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth Hemaris fuciformis, Dark Bordered Beauty Moth Epione vespertaria, December Moth Poecilocampa populi;
1st class: Dark Crimson Underwing Moth Catocala sponsa, Scarce Crimson and Gold Moth Pyrausta sanguinalis, Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria, Hedge Beauty Moth Alabonia geoffrella, Buff-tip Moth Phalera bucephala.

Technical details

The 37 x 35 mm stamps, designed by Frontmedia Studio using artwork by Richard Lewington, have been printed in litho on ordinary gummed paper by Cartor Security Printers in two sheets of 50 , se-tenant strips of 5.

Products available

Set of 10 stamps, first day cover, presentation pack, stamp cards - no collector sheet or framed products! 

 

For more information on the United Kingdom's butterflies and moths visit Butterfly Conservation. 

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Waterfalls - 2nd & 1st class stamps issued 23 June 2026

Tomorrow, June 23rd, Royal Mail will issue a set of 10 stamps depicting Waterfalls across the United Kingdom.  The set consists of 5 each of 2nd class and 1st class stamps.

Normally, under the heading "Reason and Inspiration" in the information pack provided to dealers there are a couple of paragraphs explaining why this subject and why now, but in this case it is just one short sentence:

A celebration of some of the UK's most enchanting and spectacular waterfalls from across the four nations of the UK.

So that describes what we see, and indeed it is true that we are attracted to waterfalls, the sound and sight of water gushing over a precipice or rocks as sometimes thousands of gallons a minute hurtle past us on the way to the sea, even though they pale into insignificance when compared to some of the giants of the world.   Alongside is one that we found near Crossconnell in the Republic of Ireland, that was well worth the short walk. (And I can recommend The Rusty Nail in the village for a good meal and a good pint!)

Attractive stamps and if they are used some people will recognise places that they have visited, while others my be inspired to visit locations that they have never been to, even though they may live not far away.  The key there is, "if they are used" - please report any non-philatelic usage you see!

The stamps

5 x 1st class, 5 x 2nd class stamps depicting waterfalls issued 23 June 2026.

Details

2nd class: Rogie Falls: Near Contin, Ross-shire, Scottish Highlands, Scotland. On the River Blackwater, famous for salmon leaping the falls. 
Pollnagollum Cave: Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. Pollnagollum Cave Waterfall is a small waterfall within the Belmore Forest. Polnagollum Cave was a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Aysgarth Falls: Lower Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, England. A series of broad stepped waterfalls on the River Ure within the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Pistyll Rhaeadr: Near Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Powys, Wales. Often cited as the tallest single-drop waterfall in Wales.
Becky Falls: Dartmoor National Park, Devon, England. A woodland waterfall trail with granite cascades.  
1st class: Hardraw Force: Hardraw, near Hawes, North Yorkshire.  England's highest single-drop waterfall on Hardraw Beck. 
Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd (Conwy Falls): Near Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, North Wales. A powerful waterfall on the River Conwy, just downstream of Fairy Glen.
Fairy Pools of Glen Brittle: Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. Crystal-clear pools and cascades on the Allt Coir' a' Mhadaidh below the Cullin mountains.
High Force: Upper Teesdale, County Durham. One of England's most dramatic waterfalls, on the River Tees.
Ess‐na‐Larach (Eas na Larach): Scottish Highlands. A lesser-known Highland waterfall; the name is Gaelic and may appear with slight spelling variations depending on map/source.  My thanks to KW for pointing out an error here, which is confirmed by Royal Mail's own map: Ess-na-Larach is in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Technical details and acknowledgements

Studio Mean is responsible for the design of the 37 x 35 mm stamps which are printed in litho on gummed paper by Cartor Security Printers in sheets of 50, perforated 14½ x 14.  The 2nd class have a single central phosphor band and the 1st class two bands.

Rogie Falls, photograph © Simon Hird, featured with kind permission of Forestry and Land Scotland; Pollnagollum Cave, photograph © Ken Stone, featured with kind permission of Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark. Aysgarth Falls, photograph © Robin Weaver/Alamy Stock Photo, featured with kind permission of Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority; Pistyll Rhaeadr, photograph © Alan Williams/naturepl.com, featured with kind permission of Phillip Facey and January Elwood; Becky Falls, photograph © John Coombes/Alamy Stock Photo, featured with kind permission of Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park;  Hardraw Force, photograph © Stuart Hodgson, The Hiking Photographer, featured with kind permission of Hardraw Force Heritage Centre; Conwy Falls, photograph © Simon Stapley/Alamy Stock Photo, featured with kind permission of Conwy Falls Forest Park; Fairy Pools of Glen Brittle, photograph © George Maciver/Alamy Stock Photo, featured with kind permission of the MacLeod Estate; High Force, photograph © steven gillis hd9 imaging/Alamy Stock Photo, featured with kind permission of Raby Estates; Ess-na-Larach, photograph © Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Locations, from the FDC filler card: 

Locations of waterfalls shown on the stamps.

Products available

Set of 10 stamps, first day cover, presentation pack, stamp cards, framed set of mint stamps.

 

Coming up 

News about the next stamp issue, Moths, should appear here around 2 July.

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Centenary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II, set, MS, PSB etc - 21 April 2026

Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21 April 1926 and so this year marks the centenary of her birth.  Royal Mail is marking the anniversary with a set of 8 stamp and a miniature sheet, plus a lot more merchandise.

For a younger person's view on this and other stamps marking the centenary, see 13-year-old Xanthe's Stamp Magazine. 

The stamps feature a selection of carefully curated photographs taken throughout her lifetime with the miniature sheet of four stamps reflecting her lifelong love of animals. 

The eight 1st class stamps are produced as a set of four se-tenant vertical pairs featuring black and white, and colour photographs spanning the decades of her life.  Each stamp has a portrait superimposed on a background image, some of which we may have seen before on stamps.

Details of the photographs were not provided in a form suitable for including here as text, but they can be seen on the FDC filler card here (click to enlarge).

UPDATE: My thanks to RB who has managed to process the data on the filler to reveal these details. We can't guarantee that it's 100% correct, but here goes:

Listed as portrait first then background.


Black & white stamps:  
Princess Elizabeth at the age of six, July 1932;  Members of the Royal Family with their dogs at Royal Windsor Lodge, June 1936. 
Princess Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, May 1944;  Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret giving their first Children's Hour radio broadcast from Windsor Castle during the Second World War, October 1940. 
Queen Elizabeth II in November 1955;  Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip after the Coronation, June 1953. 
Queen Elizabeth II during the Royal Tour of India, 1961;  Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles riding horses in the park of Windsor Castle.

Colour stamps:  Queen Elizabeth II during Trooping the Colour 1976;  Queen Elizabeth II during Trooping the Colour 1971. 
Queen Elizabeth II in the White Drawing Room, Windsor Castle, November 1987;  Queen Elizabeth II visiting Treherbert, Wales, April 1989. 
Queen Elizabeth II in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace, October 2001;  Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in the Gold State Coach during Golden Jubilee celebrations, June 2002. 
Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, 2022;   Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family arriving at The Eden Project, Cornwall, during the G7 Summit, June 2021. 

Miniature Sheet:  Princess Elizabeth with her pet dog, London 1936; Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle with one of her corgis, September 1952;  Queen Elizabeth II with a horse at Sandringham, 1964; 
Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, May 1997.

Part of FDC filler card showing details of photos on the stamps, etc. Click to enlarge.

Miniature Sheet

Technical details 

The 50 x 30 mm stamps, designed by Baxter & Bailey are printed in lithography in sheets of 60 by Cartor Security Printers, perf 14.   The stamps in the 115 x 89 mm miniature sheet are 35 x 35 mm (corrected) and perf 14.5.  All stamps have phosphor bands are on PVA-gummed paper.

Prestige stamp book

This 24 page publication, tells the story of the life of Queen Elizabeth II accompanied with beautiful photography throughout the decades. As Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II presided over a time of incredible change, acting as a constant source of comfort and stability to the nation. 100 years since the monarch was born, the Prestige Stamp Book pays tribute to Elizabeth II that reflects on her remarkable life and a record-breaking reign.

Prestige book cover and panes 1, 3, 4, 5.

 

Prestige stamp book pane 2 with two each 50p & £1 definitives coded M26L MPIL

 

Collector Sheet 

The collectors Sheet contains all 8 stamps from the stamp set and accompanying labels featuring carefully curated photography matching the time period of the paired stamp. The stamps and labels sit on a background of the official “100” logo.  The Collector Sheet is self-adhesive and lithography, making the stamps in the Collector Sheet different from those printed in the set.

Queen Elizabeth II Centenary Collector Sheet.

Products available 

Set of stamps, miniature sheet, first day covers (2), presentation pack, prestige stamp book, fdc of PSB definitive pane, collector sheet, stamp cards (13), press sheet of 16 miniature sheets, £5 coin covers (3 - gold, silver, and cupronickel), framed products (set, MS, collector sheet). 

All available from Royal Mail's website and some available from a Post Office branch quite near you if you are lucky.

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Lord of the Rings Retro Special Offer.

The 2004 set of 10 Royal Mail stamps marked the 50th anniversary of the publication of the first books in the Lord of the Rings series.  The stamps depicted drawings illustrating locations in the books. All the illustrations are by the author except for the map which is by his son Christopher. 

At the time we were producing first day covers for every stamp issue: the numbers varied according to our perceived popularity of the subject.

We think these were some of the best we produced. There are two sets of designs. One pair is in pencil/charcoal by Mates Laurentiu, and the other pair by Lori Snowden is in pastel shades similar to the stamps. 

In each case one cover has stamps depicting 'evil' and one has the 'good' stamps. The 'good' covers have postmark E8927 (Ringwould), and the Literary Legend Sarehole Mill postmark (M8967) is on the 'evil' covers. All the covers have individual descriptive inserts.   

We have found a few of these remaining in stock, and to clear them here is a very special offer.  Originally they were £15.50 for a pair or £29.50 for the set of four.  

For readers of this blog the prices are less than half price:  £7.50 for either the pastel pair or the charcoal pair, or £15 for a set of 4. (Pairs will have the same serial number; where possible sets of 4 will have the same number.)   E-mail to the usual address, for a pair or set of 4.

Ideal as a gift for Ring fans. 
 

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Lord of The Rings - again but different - 20 March 2026

The 2004 Royal Mail issue related to the Lord of the Rings marked the 50th anniversary of the publication of the first books in the series. Consequently they focussed on the books and showed the author's drawings illustrating locations in the books.  This set, incidentally, was one of many consisting of 10 x 1st class.

2004 set of 10 x 1st class Lord of the Rings stamps.

Now, it's 25 years since The Fellowshop of the Ring hit a screen near you bringing New Zealand director Peter Jackson to our notice - not his first film, but the series which has featured most on stamps, notably those of New Zealand. 

Selection of New Zealand Lord of the Rings stamps depicting Frodo, Gandalf, Aragon and Legolas.

New Zealand Post has issued several sets of LOTR stamps.  How will Royal Mail's stamps compare?  Time will tell, and they will be revealed around 11 March.

As you have probably predicted, Royal Mail have made this another blockbuster issue, aiming to sell much more merchandise to fan collectors than stamp collectors.  For this reason there is the usual wide range of products available, starting with...

The set of 8 x 1st class stamps 

[Royal Mail] This set of 8 mint stamps showing montages from the film trilogy are perfect for film fans. 

Each stamp celebrates iconic characters from the 3 films. British Actors from the epic featured are Orlando Bloom as Legolas, Ian McKellan as Gandalf, Dominic Monaghan as Merry, Billy Boyd as Pippin and Christopher Lee as Saruman.

This stunning imagery also has a secret UV layer revealed using a UV light, Elvish writing in a circle appears on each stamp. Fans will recognise this as the writing on the One Ring.

Set of 8 1st class stamps illustrated with montages from the Lord of the Rings films./The lower illustration shows the Elvish writing revealed if you have a UV lamp.

 The characters: The Hobbits, Gandalf, Arwen, Gimli, Saruman, Aragon, Legolas, and Frodo & Gollum.

The miniature sheet

Lord of the Rings miniature sheet of four x 1st class stamps issued 20 March 2026 depicting The Shire at Hobbiton, Rivendell, The Gates of Argonath and Mount Doom.

Technical details and acknowledgements

The 50 x 30 mm stamps were designed by True North, veterans of Royal Mail stamp design - Harry Potter, Women's Rugby, Blackadder, Visions of the Universe etc. They were printed in litho by Cartor Security Printers in sheets of 60 (30 se-tenant pairs), perforated 14½ x 14.  The 192 x 74 mm self-adhesive* miniature sheet contains 60 x 30 mm stamps, perforated 14½. (*Not gummed as stated on Royal Mail's web shop).

© New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY and all names of the characters, items, events, and places therein are TM of Middle- earth Enterprises, LLC under license to New Line Productions, Inc. (s26).

Prestige Stamp Book (£25.32) (Thank you JohnH for the correction to my typo.)

"The Prestige Stamp book brings together all the stamps from the Lord of the Rings issue plus a unique pane of definitive stamps available only in this book.

"Inside readers will find expertly written pieces on some of the battles between good and evil, like Arwen vs the Black Riders, Gandalf vs the Balrog and Frodo vs Gollum. Whilst many people are aware of the lead character Frodo, many fans acknowledge that the saga is made up of a host of heroes and this stamp book celebrates the feats and battles won and lost throughout the three films.

"A real journey through Middle Earth, this stamp book is a wonderful addition to any Lord of the Rings Fan’s collection."

The Limited Edition (2001) PSB with gold cover in gold-coloured presentation box (£49.99)

Fan Sheets (£8 each)

Two gummed Fan Sheets containing three of the relevant stamps - Frodo and Sam, and Gandalf.  Limited editions of 5,000.

Gandalf's picture looks familiar, doesn't it? Scroll up to the New Zealand stamps!  

Collector Sheet (£14.80)

The landscape-oriented Collector Sheet as usual features all 8 stamps, with additional imagery on the attached labels.   As usual the sheet is self-adhesive.

Lord of the Rings self-adhesive Collector Sheet of 8 stamps issued 20 March 2026.

Products Available from Royal Mail

Set of 8 stamps, miniature sheet, first day covers (2), presentation pack, stamp cards (13), press sheet of 10 miniature sheets (edition of 200), framed products.

(Incidentally, in each of NZ Post's LOTR issues they had six gummed stamps, the same six stamps in individual miniature sheets, the same six stamps in a single self-adhesive miniature sheet, and a self-adhesive folded booklet containing four of the lowest value, two of one other, and one each of the rest. There are also official maximum cards which had a stamp stuck to the picture side and postmarked, and also printed in black & white on the address side; the cards are thus prepaid for posting to anywhere in the world.)

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Rows of Roses - set of 10 and collector sheet - 26 February 2026

This appears to be just another thematic issue from Royal Mail, but it hides a commemoration which isn't mentioned on the stamps or the FDC filler (although it is in the Presentation Pack).  In a move to please many letter writers this set includes a strip of five each 2nd class and 1st class, and delighting collectors there is no miniature sheet - although there is another collector sheet which is at the same time attractive and bland!

From Royal Mail's write up* 

This set of special stamps celebrates the beauty and heritage of roses in the UK.  Roses are among the world’s most beloved flowers, admired for their colour and fragrance. Roses also hold a symbolic place in British history—the Tudor Rose remains an enduring emblem of England.  The UK is home to more than a dozen wild species, and cultivated varieties have flourished for over four millennia.

Featuring ten exquisite watercolour illustrations of different rose breeds, this collection honours both wild and garden roses in brand-new watercolour paintings created exclusively for Royal Mail by acclaimed botanical artist Marie Burke, creating a tribute to beauty, tradition, and horticultural artistry.  

This issue marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of David Austin OBE (1926–2018), the pioneering British breeder whose creations transformed modern rose cultivation.  (Yes that's the commemorative part!)

From the FDC insert, this provides a good historical and geographic background to the development of roses as garden favourites, with a small nod to David Austin at the end.

* Text edited to remove duplication and improve grammar.

The stamps

Set of ten stamps - five 1st class, five 2nd class - depicting rose flowers issued 26 February 2026

2nd class:  Dog Rose (Rosa canina), Queen Elizabeth, Just Joey, Paul's Himalayan Musk, Etoile de Hollande.

1st class:  Rosa Gallica Versicolor, Field Rose (Rosa arvensis), Charles de Mills, Peace, Constance Spry.

Technical Detail and acknowledgements 

The 37 x 35 mm stamps were designed by Charlie Smith Design using original artwork by Marie Burke and printed in litho by Cartor Security Printers on ordinary gummed paper. They are perforated 14½ x 14 in sheets of 50.

BBC Somerset story on the artist - what this article makes clear, that the Royal Mail information doesn't, is that Constance Spry was the first English Rose bred by David Austin, in 1961.

Rosa ‘Just Joey’ featured with kind permission of Roger and Joey Pawsey; Rosa ‘Étoile de Hollande’ featured with kind permission of Verschuren Rozen, Verschuren Rosegrowers Heritage Foundation, Koninklijke Kwekerijen HA Verschuren & Zonen and Jac Verschuren-Pechtold BV; Rosa ‘Peace’ featured with kind permission of the House of Meilland; Rosa ‘Constance Spry’ featured with kind permission of David Austin® 

(It is interesting that the permission of the breeders has apparently been required.  Back in 2004 for the Bicentenary of the Royal Horticultural Association I photographed a number of cultivars (no roses) from our garden to illustrate our first day covers.  It never occurred to me that I ought to ask permission from modern breeders to use my photographs of my flowers!)

Collector Sheet (£14)

Predictably as there is a collector sheet it is self-adhesive, although otherwise the size and print details are the same.  Alongside the stamps there are photographs of the same roses, which shows at least how accurate the artist has been, against a background of probably the same roses.   

But there is nothing else - just the caption at the top and the copyright notice at lower left - no explanation.  It's just something to put on the wall - and for this purpose Royal Mail will sell you a framed sheet (or the framed set) for £40.

As I wrote here many years ago about most of the (now abandoned) Business Customised Sheets, they are just posters which happen to have stamps in them.   I mean, just what is the point?

Set of ten self-adhesive stamps (five each 2nd class and 1st class) with attached photographic non-postal labels depicting rose flowers issued 26 February 2026

Products available from Royal Mail

Set of 10 stamps, first day cover, stamp cards, presentation pack, collector sheet.

Microprinting

I mentioned this earlier in the month but I don't intend to study the stamps specifically.  However a friend has pointed out to me that the number on these stamps is '2606', ie the sixth issue of the year - except that it isn't.  On the original plan sent to use it was due for issue a little later in the year, but the programme was altered before wider publication.  We can consequently expect more out of sequence numbers.

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The many trains arriving on 19 February at Platform 1 are from Hornby.

2017 Meccano stamp

This set is all about Hornby Model Railways, perhaps hitching up to last year's Railway 200 celebration of the bicentenary of real railways.  

Odd then, that the set marks the 125th anniversary of the company founded by Frank Hornby in 1901, "Hornby Hobbies", to sell his Meccano construction toy. According to Wikipedia until 1907 the company produced under the name of Mechanics made easy which is what Meccano was doing.

The first clockwork train was not produced until 1920.  but I suppose trains on stamps have more appeal than construction models?

UPDATE on issue day 19 February.   I've had three reports so far that post office branches have refused to sell what stamps they have until next week (27th).  This is wrong, the issue date is today: we were originally told 27th but this was changed on 19 December.  This was the RoyalMailStamps account on X today.  The comment from 'M' indicates that this is a failure to update the Horizon system to allow them to be sold. 

If only stamps were delivered to branches with enclosures like this!

Update: I understand that PO Branches were told this because the Horizon system wasn't updated in time.  Why they processed a date change for the set and not the MS & presentation packs who knows.

Update 20th:  I have been told that POL told RM that "it was impossible to change the date of sale once the original core data had been set up".  Apparently stamps are sold as stamps but the other products, including the pack, are fixed at 27th.  Fortunately enterprising post office staff have found a way to satisfy the customers.  I asked in Dereham today and nobody had asked for them.  Twenty years ago there were three dealers in the immediate area.  Two have since died and the other gets what stamps he needs from Edinburgh.
 

From Royal Mail 

The clockwork trains were followed by electric models and the iconic Hornby Dublo range in 1938. 

These innovations transformed model railways into a cherished pastime, inspiring creativity and technical skills across generations. 

Hornby’s story reflects Britain’s engineering heritage and evolving social trends—from childhood play to adult collecting and nostalgia. Despite wartime interruptions and industry challenges, Hornby adapted with new technologies, from realistic detailing to digital control systems, ensuring its continued relevance. Today, Hornby remains a leading name in model railways, celebrated for craftsmanship and authenticity. 

This stamp issue honours a brand that has entertained millions, preserved the romance of rail travel, and become a cultural icon of British design and imagination. 

The stamps 

Set of 8 x 1st class stamps honouring the Hornby brand name issued 19 February 2026.

The set consists if eight 1st Class stamps
GNR No.1 Locomotive (1920) – The original clockwork classic that started it all.
BR 4MT Tank Locomotive (1954) – A post-war favourite from the Hornby Dublo era.
InterCity 125 High Speed Train (1977) – A symbol of speed and innovation.
Bournemouth Belle Pullman Cars (2009) – Luxury in miniature detail.
Princess Elizabeth, LMS (1937) – A majestic pre- war express engine.
AL1 Electric Locomotive (1963) – Capturing the modernisation of British Railways.
Merchant Navy Class (2000) – Heralding Hornby’s new era of authenticity.
‘Hush-Hush’ Experimental Locomotive (2021) – A tribute to engineering ambition.

The Miniature Sheet consists of four 1st class stamps

Miniature Sheet of 4 x 1st class stamps honouring the Hornby brand name issued 19 February 2026.

Hornby Book of Trains – A tribute to the early catalogues that inspired generations of young enthusiasts.
Hornby Dublo Electric Trains – Showcasing the revolutionary 1930s range that brought realism to miniature railways.
Tri-ang Railways Era – Capturing the bold advertising and colourful packaging of the 1960s and 70s.
Modern Classics – Featuring InterCity branding and contemporary designs that reflect Hornby’s evolution 

Technical details and acknowledgements

The 41 x 30 mm gummed stamps were printed by Cartor Security Printers in litho in sheets of 60 in se-tenant pairs, perf 14½x14.  The 192 x 74 mm miniature sheet contains stamps 60 x 30 mm perf 14½.

2017 Hornby Dublo stamp

Designed by The Chase.  HORNBY®, Hornby Railways, Tri-ang Hornby, Tri-ang, Hornby Dublo and Minic are Registered Trade Marks of Hornby Hobbies Ltd, and are used under licence by Royal Mail Group Ltd; images © Hornby Hobbies Limited, except image of two boys on the Dublo stamp: detail from Hornby Dublo box label © M&N/Alamy Stock Photo.

Products available

Set of 8 stamps, miniature sheet, presentation pack, first day covers (2), press sheet of 10 miniature sheets, (Inter-City 125) medal cover, stamp set and miniature sheet in one frame.

So, with yet another branded stamp issue, will Hornby derail the hobby or just some collectors? 

 

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booster-t in the comments wanted to post a photo of his TT-gauge Triang - here it is!

TT-gauge Triang 35028 (Southern Region if my memory serves?)

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Machin Definitive first day cover offers at reduced prices.

Some collectors collect first day covers (FDCs) because they are attractive with a cover design which complements the stamps.  Others collect because they are also a reminder of the date the stamps were issued, and in the case of definitives it helps to identify different versions of the same stamp when comparison of mint stamps might be more difficult.

Official first day covers have been produced for basic new definitives and for prestige book definitive panes (usually the only panes they provide on first day covers).

But there are variants for which there is no official FDC, because Royal Mail do not regard the stamp as new.

FDC for new 1st class security stamp
from Olympic retail booklet

When we started producing FDCs we tried to fill those gaps, not with especially designed covers but in the main with the covers that Royal Mail produced for the issue. We generally used standard definitive covers for definitive variants, or the cover produced for a special stamp issue, such as a retail or prestige booklet.

Recognising that the PSB panes often contained duplicates or stamps which were not new, we gave our customers a cheaper option than Royal Mail by using just singles of the new stamps in the panes.

Reviewing our stock of Definitive FDCs I find that there are some which never made it to our web-shop, and have only ever been offered at the time of issue on our website, and those which were are now offered at lower clearance prices.  I hope there will be some of interest to more recent followers of the blog and long-time readers.

The list is a pdf file which will remain listed in the Links table to the right of this page. A separate file, linked from that one, has illustrations of some of the covers, and scans can be provided for any others.

Because it's a pdf file you cannot leave comments there, so please follow the usual pattern and leave a comment here for any covers that you want.  As usual, there are several of some, and only one in stock for many.

To order:

- please leave a comment here with your name, and then 

- send an email with your Name and Address and Blog Follower ID to my usual address - see top right.  And indicate which item you want (A, B, etc) in case more than one is available.  Please check the existing comments before you write.   

I will process requests in the order they are received but not always immediately - I am not checking every five minutes!   If other people have already asked, by all means put your name down, but we have very low stock of some of these covers.

Thank you for looking - further discounts for larger orders.

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