Press Releases
Christmas Stamps Launched in NI by Dean John Mann
This year’s Royal Mail Christmas stamps, issued on 8 November, feature scenes inspired by the Nativity. The stamps are set to appear on millions of cards and letters sharing Christmas greetings between friends and family in the UK and overseas. The seven Christmas stamps are inspired by verses from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and recognise that 2011 is the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.
Officially launching the stamps, The Very Revd John Owen Mann, Dean of St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast, said: 'The Christmas Stamps this year are both beautiful and meaningful. The sense of communication between God and humanity, between the angel and Joseph and the Shepherds, is expressed in gesture as well as atmosphere.
'The words of St Matthew and St Luke are brought to life as Mary beholds the baby Jesus and the wise men gaze with searching eyes at the star.
'They are a glorious set of stamps and it will be a joy to use them!'
Barbara Roulston from Royal Mail said: 'Christmas stamps help deliver festive messages of good cheer and celebration, not only in the UK but also around the world. This year’s stamps feature scenes from the Nativity, together with the gospel references from the King James Bible which inspired them.'
The 1st and 2nd Class stamps are available in two sizes: a standard version for regular letters and a 'large letter' version for larger cards and mail.
Three other Christmas stamps depict Jesus in the manger (68p stamp), the shepherds being visited by the Angel (£1.10) and the Wise Men and star (£1.65).
Royal Mail is encouraging customers to post their festive greetings early, and order their online gifts and shopping well in advance, to help its postmen and women deliver the bumper festive mailbag. Its latest recommended posting dates for mail to arrive in time for Christmas are:
Posting dates for delivery within the UK:
• 1st Class Tuesday: 20th December
• 2nd Class Saturday: 17th December
• Special Delivery: Thursday 22rd December
Posting dates for international mail:
• Airmail to South and Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Far East (except Japan), Asia, New Zealand and Australia: Monday 5th December
• Airmail to Japan, USA, Canada and Eastern Europe: Friday 9th December
• Airmail to Western Europe: Monday 12th December
ENDS