Miniature Artwork Coming Through Your Letterbox

With email, text and messaging, it is rare to receive stamped mail through your letterbox. So much so, that when a handwritten card or note is delivered, it’s notable. Have you ever considered that, in addition to the letter, you also receive a miniature artwork? Each stamp has been designed by an artist, often to mark a significant event.

Monsters on your Mail

The latest stamp collection to be commissioned marks 50 years since the launch of Dungeons & Dragons. This fantasy game is an immersive adventure, where players collaborate, rather than compete to achieve quests and it has global appeal.

One of the British artists involved in illustrating the beasts that feature in the game is Wayne Reynolds. He uses traditional pencil drawings and acrylic painting to bring imagined creatures to life and he has now turned his skills to creating a special edition stamp set for Royal Mail. As Reynold’s late father was a keen stamp collector, Wayne was keen to accept this opportunity to create miniature artworks.

Royalty At Your Door

The most replicated miniature artwork is that of Queen Elizabeth’s head in profile. This widely recognised stamp design was created by artist Arnold Machin in 1967. However,  unlike the Dungeons & Dragons artwork, the portrait was sculpted as a clay relief. The effect gives the design a three-dimensional appearance, much like a traditional cameo brooch.

Now, stamps feature the profile of King Charles, which was again sculpted, although this time by the artist Martin Jennings.

Stamps Designs by Famous Artists

Back in 1992, David Hockney designed a stamp to mark the advent of the European Single Market. The bright yellow star on a blue background was in circulation with a value of 24p. Quite a bargain for a piece of art! His signed stamp sets now sell for around £900.

Then, to mark 250 years of the Royal Academy in 2018, renowned British artists were commissioned to design special edition stamps. Grayson Perry’s depiction of the summer exhibition, Norman Ackroyd’s atmospheric sea scene and Yinka Shonibare’s umbrellas were some of the designs that you may have received through the letterbox.

Colourful Stamp Designs for Christmas Mail

Since 1966, the tradition of festive stamp designs has added colour to our Christmas mail. The first ones were designed by children. A more traditional set was released in 2023, which illustrated popular Christmas carols. We wonder what will be coming through our letterboxes this coming December!

Stamp Collectors

Across the country, there are thousands of enthusiasts collecting stamps. Some focus on finding a rare gem of value, such as the 1841 Penny Red Plate. Others focus on illustrations that mark key moments in British history. Some simply love the skilled artwork that is often overlooked.

If you’ve not noticed stamps before, take a look at what comes through your letterbox when you next receive mail from friends and family.

Meanwhile, you might like to look at our collection of wall mounted post boxes for houses or flats. They are an alternative to the through the door letterboxes which are also designed and created by individuals with an eye for finer details.