True North has designed a set of 12 stamps to mark 40 years of Blackadder.
Commissioned by Royal Mail, the stamps, miniature sheet and collectibles celebrate iconic moments from the series which starred Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson.
The 8 stamps in the main set feature some of the show’s most famous characters, played by Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson, Brian Blessed, and the late Patsy Byrne.
A further 4 stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, focus on Atkinson’s Blackadder.
“One of the critical challenges to the project was to bring a connection to each of the scenes whilst still allowing the distinct personality of each series to shine through,” explained Steve Royle, Creative Director at True North.
“The subtle introduction of different typefaces to caption each stamp allows a distinct sense of personality within a unified structure.”
Richard Curtis, who co-wrote the series first with Atkinson, then Ben Elton said:
“We’re very amused and delighted. It’s a great relief for Blackadder to have his head on a stamp, instead of on a stake.”
Blackadder Producer, John Lloyd added:
“The entire team behind Britain’s leading situation tragedy is deeply honoured by Royal Mail’s magnificent stamps of approval. In the words of General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett, VC KCB; ‘Let’s give them a damn good licking!'”
