Royal Mail has revealed images of 10 new stamps, created under licence with Historic Royal Palaces and exploring the history and traditions of the Tower of London.
Secured by The Point.1888 on behalf of HRP – the independent charity which cares for the Tower of London – the main set of six stamps capture some of the magnificent sights of the fortress.
They depict The White Tower; Tower Green and The King’s House; St John’s Chapel; Yeoman Warders; Traitors’ Gate; and A Raven of The Tower.
A further four stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, depict some of the Tower’s famous historic prisoners: Princes Edward and Richard – who became known as the ‘Princes in the Tower’; Anne Boleyn; Lady Jane Grey – the ‘Nine Days’ Queen’; and Sir Walter Raleigh.
“Over the centuries the Tower of London has played many different roles – from impenetrable fortress to royal residence, menagerie of exotic animals to place of execution, Royal Mint to home of the Crown Jewels,” commented David Gold, director of external affairs and policy. “These stamps celebrate the myth and legend, ceremony, and tradition of one of the most famous buildings in the world.”
Jenny Smyth, licensing manager at Historic Royal Palaces, continued: “We are delighted that Royal Mail has joined our licensing programme to commission the first ever set of stamps depicting the Tower of London. With nearly 1,000 years of history to its name, we look forward to sharing the stories of the Tower with an even wider audience.”
For almost a thousand years, the Tower of London has been at the heart of British history, inspiring awe, fear and fascination. Today, the Tower remains a living institution, home to more than 100 people – including the famous Yeoman Warders, or ‘Beefeaters’ – as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most recognisable historic sites in the world.
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