James Bond stamps to be released by Royal Mail ahead of new film

James Bond is about as likely to be caught using snail mail as he is drinking a gin and tonic, but that hasn’t stopped the Royal Mail creating their very own tribute to 007. 

To celebrate the release of the 25th Bond film, No Time To Die, in April the postal service has created a new set of stamps. 

The set of 10 postage stamps features the six actors who have played Bond as well as a host of Q branch’s best gadgets and cars and will be available to buy from 17 March.

Bond is depicted in Casino Royale (Daniel Craig, 2006), GoldenEye (Pierce Brosnan, 1995), The Living Daylights (Timothy Dalton, 1987), Live And Let Die (Roger Moore, 1973), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (George Lazenby, 1969) and Goldfinger (Sean Connery, 1964).

Vehicles featured on the stamps include Lotus Esprit S1 Submarine from The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Little Nellie, the autogyro from You Only Live Twice (1967) the Bell-Textron jet pack from Thunderball (1965) and the Aston Martin DB5, as seen in Skyfall (2012).

And in keeping with the secret service theme, the stamps even include a hidden secret feature.

The feature can only be unveiled if customers shine a UV light to shine on the stamp. 

One stamp also includes the quote: “We’ve been expecting you”. 

Royal Mail spokesperson Philip Parker said: “James Bond is a British icon, recognised throughout the world for decades. It’s fitting our new stamps celebrate the six Bonds with stylish and evocative designs.”

“There are also specially designed limited-edition hand stamps for pre-ordered first day covers and stamp souvenirs”. 

This isn’t the first time the Royal Mail has launched James Bond-themed stamps.

In 2012, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film series, Royal Mail produced a commemorative sheet of the top 10 Bond posters, as voted for by the public. 

No Time To Die will be in cinemas next month and the soundtrack has already been released: Billie Eilish is the latest artist to be asked to write a Bond theme. 

The track, which Eilish previously revealed was a ballad and was written and performed by the 18-year-old, was released on various streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music. ​

Fans have already been comparing the theme both to Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds Are Forever” and Adele’s “Skyfall”.