Royal Mail issues
The 2015 and 2017 releases connected British stamp collecting with the Star Wars universe.
Cinema meets stamp collecting
A galaxy of stories.
On a postage stamp.
Discover how Royal Mail brought Star Wars characters and cinematic artwork to the world of British postal stamps.
Explore the stamps
2015
A screen-to-stamp adventure
When film favourites became postal history
Royal Mail issued Star Wars stamps in 2015, followed by another issue in 2017. These special stamps brought the saga's characters into a format that could be collected, displayed or seen on everyday mail.
For film fans, they offer a different way to enjoy a favourite story. For stamp collectors, they show how popular culture can become part of postal history.
Small format. Big imagination.
Malcolm Tween
The illustrator created richly detailed artwork for Royal Mail's Star Wars stamps, working with Lucasfilm and design agency Interabang.
2017 characters
The eight character portraits included R2-D2, BB-8, porgs and Supreme Leader Snoke.
Miniature works of cinematic art
Malcolm Tween drew inspiration from the tradition of illustrated Star Wars film posters. Look beyond the main characters in the 2017 stamps and you can find ships, scenes and tiny background details.
Build a collection around what you enjoy
Start with a favourite character or a particular issue. You could collect individual stamps, presentation packs or first day covers: envelopes bearing stamps cancelled on their first day of issue.
Record the issue year and keep your collection in a stamp album or suitable protective sleeves. Comparing artwork and postmarks is part of the enjoyment.
Further reading: StarWars.com: the artist behind the stamps and The Postal Museum: stamp products explained .
Discover more stories in stamps
From Victorian classics to cinema and popular culture, stamps capture much more than postage. Visit the Ipswich Stamp Museum website to find out more.
Explore Ipswich Stamp Museum