Norvic Philatelics - GB New Stamps and Special Postmarks

Classic Carry On and Hammer Films - 10 June 2008

2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the first Carry On film Carry on Sergeant and Hammer Film's iconic Dracula. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s both Carry On and Hammer Horror films were to form a staple diet of British cinema audiences going on to influence future film and TV productions, both at home and abroad, and in the case of Hammer Films, music and fashion too.

Set of 6 new British stamps showing classic film posters for Carry On and Hammer Films.
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Set of 6 stamps:
1st class - Carry On Sergeant;
48p - Dracula;
50p - Carry On Cleo.

56p - The Curse of Frankenstein;
72p - Carry on Screaming;
81p - The Mummy.

Acknowledgements: Dracula, The Curse of Frankenstein and The Mummy © Hammer Film Productions Ltd 2008, Licensed by Coolabi; Carry On Sergeant, Carry On Cleo and Carry On Screaming courtesy of Canal+ Image UK Ltd

Stamp by Stamp, Film by Film

1st Class - Carry on Sergeant
The very first Carry On film released in 1958 followed the adventures of a hapless group of National Servicemen as they face the culture shock of Army life. Starring Bob Monkhouse, Kenneth Connor, Bill Owen, Shirley Eaton and William Hartnell.

48p (World wide basic surface rate) - Dracula
Released in 1958 Dracula starred Christopher Lee as the undead blood sucking count with Peter Cushing as his nemeses Van Helsing.

50p (European standard rate) - Carry On Cleo
Ancient Briton Henghist Pod (Kenneth Connor) accidentally becomes Caesar's (Kenneth Williams) bodyguard and joins him on a trip to the court of Cleopatra (Amanda Barrie). Sid James is Mark Anthony and the film also features Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims and Jim Dale.

56p (Basic airmail to 10gm) - The Curse of Frankenstein
Released in 1957, this retelling of Mary Shelley's classic story was one of the first films to do so in full gory colour. Peter Cushing played Victor Frankenstein and Christopher Lee was the creature, Hazel court was the love interest.

72p (Europe to 40gm) - Carry On Screaming
A pastiche on the then popular Hammer Horrors Carry on Screaming follows the adventures of a pair of Victorian detectives (Harry H Corbet and Jim Dale) as they investigate a suspicious showroom dummy factory run by Fenella Fielding and Kenneth Williams.

81p (Rest of World to 20 gm) - The Mummy
An Archaeologist (Peter Cushing) is pursued by the Mummy of Kharis (Christopher Lee) avenging the desecration of the tomb of his lover who turns out to be the image of Cushing's present day fiancé played by Yvonne Furneux.


Earlier Film-related stamps

The Centenary of the Cinema was celebrated in 1996 with a set of 5 stamps, the only film featured being Lady Hamilton (SG 1920-4). The following year the Europa theme was 'Tales & Legends' and the British stamps featured Dracula, Frankenstein, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, and The Hound of the Baskervilles (SG 1980-3). 1985 was British Film Year which brought a set of 5 stamps with photos of Peter Sellers, David Niven, Alfred Hitchcock and Vivien Leigh (SG 1298-1302). Chaplin was also featured on the 1999 Entertainers stamp (SG 2095).

Special pack of cards

In addition to the usual PHQ cards, Royal Mail has produced what it calls a 'Postcard and Stamp Set'. This special pack of cards shows the stamps on a 'brick wall' background (see below right), and the cards measure 160 x 115mm, against the 148 x 104mm size of PHQ cards. The new cards are not postal stationery items. In fact the stamps are not even in the same packet as the cards! The cards are contained in a packet which appears to be designed for 'rack' selling, and on the reverse is the reminder: "REMEMBER TO COLLECT YOUR STAMPS AT THE COUNTER". The 3 x 1st class and 3 x 56p stamps are contained in another cellophane packet. We have these cards - without the stamps - at the same price as the PHQ cards as a pre-issue price only.


Technical details:

Designed by Emwood, the stamps are printed in litho by Walsall Security Printers Ltd. The stamps are 41mm x 30mm and are in sheets of 25/50. All images are by kind permission of Royal Mail, Copyright 2008, and this website are copyright Norvic Philatelics 2008.


royal mail postcards showing Classic Carry On 
and Hammer Horror film posters.

Additional Products

As usual Royal Mail will produce a first day cover, presentation pack and stamp cards. There will also be a retail stamp book with 6 x 1st class Machin definitives and a 'Carry on Collecting' advertisement, and the special 'Postcard and stamp set' described above (see right).

royal mail stamp booklet with 'Carry on Collecting' advertisement for 
Classic Carry On and Hammer Horror film stamps.


Products issued:
Mint Royal Mail presentation pack for Carry On and Hammer 
Horror stamps.
Presentation Pack  see right
Royal Mail FDCs  see below left
Set of 6 Stamp Cards
Set of 6 special postcards  see above right
Mint booklet



Special Postmarks
Postmarks available for the day of issue are shown here,  these may not be to scale. These postmarks cannot be obtained after the date of issue.

Official Bureau first day of issue postmark for Classic Films stamp issue 
10 June 2008. Official Bray, Maidenhead, first day of issue postmark for Classif Cilms stamp 
issue 10 June 2008. non-pictorial first day of issue postmark, Bray Maidenhead. postmark showing a bat (animal). postmark showing clapperboard.
Ref FD815
Philatelic Bureau Official Postmark
Ref FD816
Bray, Maidenhead Official Postmark
Ref FD816NP
Similar to above
Official non-pictorial postmark, Bray Maidenhead
Ref L10989
Swain's Lane, Highgate, London N6
Ref L10988
Pinewood Road, Iver Heath, Bucks
postmark showing film strip. postmark showing image of actor Sidney James. postmark showing army sergeant. postmark showing cartoon image of actor Sidney James. postmark showing clapper-board, film and camera.
Ref M10994
The Flicks, Cheltenham, Gloucester
Ref M10993
James Road, Birmingham
Ref L10985
Stoughton, Guildford, Surrey
Ref W10997
Sidmouth (Devon)
Ref N10996
Woolton Picture House, Liverpool's Oldest Remaining Independent Cinema
postmark showing 'mummy'. postmark showing fangs. postmark showing reel of film. postmark showing film and clapperboard Notes:
L10989: Location of Highgate Cemetary;
L10985: 'Carry On Sergeant' was filmed at Stoughton Barracks;
L10986: HQ of Associated-British Pathé film company;
Ref L10987
Bray, Maidenhead, Berkshire
Ref L10986
Wardour Street, London W1
Ref L10983
Shepperton, Surrey
Ref L10984
Elstree, Hertfordshire


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If you have any questions about these stamps or FDCs please email us. NB: unless the office is closed (see home page) emails should be acknowledged in 1-2 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement please email us from a different address (eg hotmail, gmail).

This page updated 28 May 2008

2007
2008 stamp issues
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January
8
Ian Fleming's James Bond
15 Definitive LOVE booklet
15 New Smilers stamps
February
5
Working Dogs
28 Kings and Queens I
28 Greetings retail booklet
March
11
Celebrating Northern Ireland MS and Glorious Northern Ireland Smiler Sheet
13 Mayday - Rescue at Sea
April
1
Rate change Machin & Country stamps
1 Territorial Army commemorative sheet
15 Endangered Species - Insects
May
13
Cathedrals
13 Retail booklet - summer
June
10
Classic Films
July
17
Air Displays, powered flight
24 Olympics commemorative sheet
August
5
Beijing Expo 2008 Smilers Sheet
22 Olympics handover Joint issue
September
18 British Military Uniforms (II - Royal Air Force)
29 50th Anniv. regional stamps MS
29 Glorious UK Smilers sheet
October
14
Women of Distinction
28 Smilers for Kids
November
4
Christmas (Pantomime)
6 Lest We Forget
tba 60th Birthday of HRH Prince Wales

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Norvic Philatelics, PO Box 119, Dereham, NR20 3YN, GB. -- UK Phone: 08450 090939 -- Skype:ian.billings-norvic