Special Royal Mail set pays tribute to man who put stamp on British design

A brand new set of stamps is being launched to pay tribute to David Gentleman, the designer credited with altering the face of the British stamp.

Gentleman, who has been hailed as essentially the most prolific and influential British stamp designer, designed greater than 100 stamps for Royal Mail between 1962 and 2000, and supplied many extra designs that weren't used.

Royal Mail collaborated with him to decide on a number of a few of his most well-known and influential pictures.

The tribute to Gentleman is notable as it's the first time Royal Mail has devoted a complete subject to a designer of its commemorative stamps.

David Gold, a spokesperson for Royal Mail, mentioned Gentleman was “one of many foremost artists concerned in British stamp design”.

“For over half a century, he has made a permanent contribution to British stamp design. His work continues to affect and encourage designers right now.”

The primary designs of Gentleman’s that had been profitable had been for Nationwide Productiveness 12 months in 1962, and used symbolic arrows.

Three years later he wrote to the brand new postmaster normal, Tony Benn, in response to a normal invitation for concepts about stamps, recommending extra fascinating topics than had been featured beforehand.

He additionally proposed a brand new dimension of stamp and launched a small cameo of the Queen, based mostly on her profile as depicted by Mary Gillick on cash from 1953.

His most up-to-date issued stamp designs had been for the millennium timekeeper miniature sheet, depicting the stylised fingers of a clock and globe.

The 9d stamp designed by David Gentleman for British Ships issued in 1969. Photograph: Royal Mail/PA

The brand new set of six stamps might be out there from Friday, and have the 1962 Nationwide Productiveness 12 months, the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and the twenty fifth anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Royal Mail has issued commemorative stamps up to now to rejoice historic occasions and notable figures, comparable to stamps commemorating the Rolling Stones and celebrating 150 years of rugby union.

Gentleman mentioned: “Stamps had been enjoyable to design, although squeezing rather a lot right into a small house wasn’t straightforward. At first it was tough to slot in the Queen’s head till I turned it into the straightforward profile which continues to be used right now.

“Stamps I significantly loved designing had been for the Battle of Hastings 1066, and Social Reformers.”