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British Stamps
(from the Royal Mail Philatelic Bureau)

Types of philatelic products (available from the philatelic division of the British postal authorities, Royal Mail Philatelic Bureau)

• Royal Mail Special Stamp Yearbook: Available by November each year, the Year Book makes an ideal Christmas gift for adults and children alike. Lavishly illustrated with superb colour photographs and illustrations, the Year Book looks in detail at the designs and themes of the years Special Stamps. It comes in its own slip case and includes the complete year's Special Stamp Collection.
• Royal Mail Year Pack: Like the Yearbook, the annual Year Pack includes interesting and educational information about the years Special Stamp Collection. This superbly illustrated folder also includes the Greetings Stamps and is an excellent present for friends or relatives.
• First Day Covers: A full set of Mint Stamps on a personally addressed decorative envelope, cancelled on their date of issue with a unique pictorial postmark.
• Mint Stamps: A full set of Special Stamps supplied in a clear sleeve ready for you to display however you choose.
• Prestige Stamp Books: A beautifully illustrated keepsake containing a unique mixed value pane of stamps celebrating a particular theme. Recent themes have included J.R.R. Tolkien, Beatrix Potter, the centenary of the National Trust and Euro '96. The 1997 Prestige Stamp Book celebrates the 75th anniversary of the BBC.
• Presentation Packs: A full set of Mint Stamps in a superbly illustrated folder crammed with interesting facts, making an ideal 'educational' gift.
• Greetings Stamps: These popular booklets of first class stamps have been issued since 1989 for use on greetings cards. Recent issues have featured themes like Gift Giving, Smiles, Messages, the Art of Greeting and in 1996 celebrated Cartoons. The 1997 theme is Flowers. Each booklet also includes a free set of colourful greetings labels.
  
  

Special Stamps are usually issued nine times a year in Britain. The following calendar lists stamps that are to be issued in 1997.

• 6 January - Flowers. The theme of 1997's charming Greetings Stamps is Flowers.
• 21 January - Henry VIII & his six wives. Celebrating the 450th anniversary of this most infamous king.
• 11 March - Saint Augustine & Saint Columba. Marking the arrival of Saint Augustine in Britain and the death of & Saint Columba 1,400 years ago.
• 13 May - Classic Tales of Horror. Fans of horror will enjoy these spooky stamps celebrating Bram Stoker and Mary Shelly, writers of Dracula and Frankenstein.
• 10 June - Aircraft Designers. These special stamps honour renowned aircraft designers and the aircraft for which they are famous.
• 8 July - Horses. Stamps for horse lovers celebrating the 50th anniversary of the British Horse Society.
• 12 August - Sub Post Offices. This issue marks the centenary of the National Federation of SubPostmasters.
• 9 September - Enid Blyton .The fabulous work of Enid Blyton is celebrated in this centenary year of her birth.
• 7 October - Queen's Golden Wedding. A Royal golden anniversary is celebrated with this very special issue.
• 23 September - BBC. This year's Prestige Stamp Book celebrates the 75th anniversary of the BBC.
• 27 October - Christmas . Celebrating the festive season in style.
  

To go to their web site click here:--------->Royal Mail Philatelic Bureau