Royal Mail celebrates iconic comedy series with stamps depicting its memorable characters and moments.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the much-loved sitcom Blackadder, Royal Mail has unveiled a commemorative set of stamps capturing classic scenes and characters from all four series. The collection includes eight stamps showcasing unforgettable moments from the show, which spanned medieval England, the court of Queen Elizabeth I, and beyond, as well as four depicting Rowan Atkinson’s Edmund Blackadder in his various personas.
Featured on the stamps are beloved characters played by Sir Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson, Brian Blessed, and the late Patsy Byrne. Fans can purchase a presentation pack of all 12 stamps for £19.60.
Blackadder debuted in 1983, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, with contributions from BBC producer John Lloyd and co-writer Ben Elton. It remains one of Britain’s most cherished comedies. Curtis expressed his amusement and delight at the honour, joking about Blackadder’s image being on a stamp rather than a stake. Lloyd, referencing one of the show’s iconic lines from General Melchett, added: “Let’s give them a damn good licking!”
The series began with the misadventures of the scheming Prince Edmund during a fictional reign of King Richard IV in the 15th century. Subsequent seasons saw Blackadder reimagined as a courtier to Queen Elizabeth I, a cunning butler during the Regency era, and finally, a WWI army captain trying to outwit the horrors of trench warfare.
David Gold of Royal Mail praised the enduring appeal of Blackadder, noting how the series spans both centuries of history and decades of television acclaim. The stamps are available for pre-order online, by phone, and at thousands of Post Office locations across the UK.
