Royal Mail has ended its 2025 stamp program by looking back to where it all began – the classic issues of Queen Victoria’s reign.
A new release, “The Stamps of Queen Victoria,” went on sale Nov. 27 and revisits some of the most famous designs from the dawn of adhesive postage.
The core issue is an eight-stamp set, all first-class values, arranged in two se-tenant strips of four. Each stamp reproduces a key Victorian design, moving chronologically from the world’s first adhesive stamp, the Penny Black of 1840, through to the decorative 4d Jubilee of 1887, which marked the 50th anniversary of Victoria’s accession. Also featured are the Twopenny Blue (1841), 6d embossed (1854), 4d first letterpress (1855), 1s small letters (1862), Penny Red (1864) and Penny Lilac (1881), offering a miniature tour through nearly half a century of postal change.
Taken together, the eight designs chart how British stamps evolved in both appearance and technology during the 19th century. Shifts in portrait style, printing processes, paper and security features are all reflected in the chosen issues, echoing broader postal reforms and the rapid modernization of the Victorian-era mail system.
A notable twist sets this issue apart from other recent Royal Mail releases. On the back of each stamp is a printed image that mimics the watermark used on the original Victorian counterpart. Each reverse design is specific to the stamp it accompanies, echoing the classic security patterns familiar to specialists. Royal Mail describes this as a way to evoke the feel of 19th-century stamp paper and to reinforce the connection between the modern tributes and their historic models.
Beyond the basic set, the issue is supported by a four-stamp miniature sheet linked to Queen Victoria’s strong interest in photography. The sheet design draws on early photographic portraiture and print processes associated with the period. Collectors can also choose from a presentation pack, a special booklet with self-adhesive Penny Black–themed stamps, a prestige book, a collector sheet and a range of first-day covers cancelled at Tallents House and East Cowes.
For Canadian collectors who follow Great Britain and classic Queen Victoria material, the new issue offers a fresh, design-focused take on familiar territory. By pairing reimagined artwork with modern production and security elements, Royal Mail has created a contemporary set that still speaks directly to the origins of philately.