04/11/2008
Royal Mail is today (4 November) issuing its Christmas Stamps for 2008 and, in an exciting break with tradition, this is the first time in over 40 years of issuing Christmas Stamps that both religious and secular stamps will be available to consumers simultaneously.
Customers will be able to purchase stamps depicting two classic, iconic paintings - the Madonna of Humility by Lippo di Dalmasio and Madonna and Child by William Dyce. The Madonna of Humility features on the 1st Class stamp and Madonna and Child on the 2nd Class.
Alongside these stamps, Royal Mail is also issuing a new collection of stamps to celebrate the great UK love of pantomime. The six new stamps feature festive images of classic pantomime performers in costume from Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aladdin and Snow White. The six Pantomime stamps are available in a range of values for UK and overseas mail.
This year, Royal Mail is expecting Christmas postings to reach over 2 billion items, which include 750 million Christmas cards. The busiest day for Royal Mail is predicted to be Monday 15th December when around 123 million items enter the system, compared to an average daily figure of around 80 million. Therefore, it is advised that all cards, parcels and Christmas gifts are posted ahead of the recommended last posting dates listed below:
Friday 5 December Australia and New Zealand, South and Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Asia and the Far East (except Japan)
Wednesday 10 December USA, Canada, Japan and Eastern Europe
Friday 12 December Western Europe
Thursday 18 December Second Class
Saturday 20 December First Class
Tuesday 23 December Special Delivery
Julietta Edgar, Head of Special Stamps, Royal Mail said: "Every year customers look forward to our Christmas Stamps, which have been brightening up the festive season for more than 40 years.
"This year we are delighted to offer our customers a choice of Christmas Stamps and the images will be seen on millions of letters and cards throughout the UK as well as on gifts sent across the globe."
Ends
Issued by Royal Mail
148 Old Street
London
EC1V 9HQ
NOTES TO EDITORS
Images of the Pantomime and Madonna & Child Christmas stamps are available by e-mail from stamps@eulogy.co.uk
Stamps are available at all Post Offices, or online at http://www.royalmail.com/stamps and from Royal Mail Tallents House (tel. 08457 641 641), Royal Mail Tallents House, 21 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9PB.
With the increased volumes of mail passing through the Royal Mail network it is going to be more important than ever to post early using the correct postcodes. Customers can access the Royal Mail postcode finder at http://www.royalmail.com or alternatively by calling the Royal Mail customer services telephone line on 0845 074 2000.
Smilers® can be ordered online at http://www.royalmail.com/smilers or pick up a leaflet at your nearest Post Office branch® or call 0845 074 2000 for more information.