The new first-class stamps

PHILATELISTS contain yourselves, but a treasure trove of historic stamps has gone on display in King’s Cross.

The Postal Museum this week began showing off how the first postage stamps using King Charles III’s face will look when they are made available for public use later in 2023.

And to mark the milestone moment, it has opened an exhibition – working alongside the Royal Mail – to chart the history of the royal connection dating back to 1840. The new King is the seventh monarch to appear on postage stamps.

Visitors to the museum in Phoenix Place will see rare and valuable stamps, including King Edward VII’s Tyrian Plum and Queen Victoria’s Two Penny Blue.

Alongside this, visitors will see how designs developed through original artworks and priceless proofs and discover how previous monarchs influenced designs.

Laura Wright, chief executive at The Postal Museum, said: “The new design for King Charles III’s reign will be the first significant change to everyday stamps in many people’s lifetime.

“We’re looking forward to giving our visitors the first and only chance to see these stamps in person, until they’re in circulation later this year.