Marking the 40th anniversary of one of the greats of British comedy, Royal Mail has released a collection of 12 special stamps celebrating the brilliance of Blackadder. Eight of the stamps will feature some of the series’ most classic moments with four being reserved to track the evolution of Edmund Blackadder from series 1 through Blackadder Goes Fourth.

Edmund Blackadder 1-4. Photo: Royal Mail

First broadcast in June 1983, Blackadder joins a number of greats of British comedy with stamps released over the last several years that featured Dad’s Army, The Two Ronnies, Monty Python, Lenny Henry (Chef), 60s double act Peter Cook and Dudley Moore and the UK’s most successful female duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders (French and Saunders, Absolutely Fabulous, Vicar of Dibley) with Royal Mail tributes.

Ronnie Corbett celebrates The Two Ronnies among comedy greats celebrated in Royal Mail stamp collection. Photo: Royal Mail

60s comedy duo, Dudley Moore and Peter Cook. Photo: Royal Mail

Lenny Henry takes a back seat with his new stamp. Photo: Royal Mail

The release of the stamps has, understandably, created Baldrick-level excitement on both sides of the pond.

Talking about the stamps in true British comedy fashion, series creator/writer Richard Curtis said: “We’re very amused and delighted. It’s a great relief for Blackadder to have his head on a stamp, instead of on a stake.”

John Lloyd added: “The entire team behind Britain’s leading situation tragedy is deeply honoured by Royal Mail’s magnificent stamps of approval. In the words of General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett, VC KCB; ‘Let’s give them a damn good licking!’”

David Gold from Royal Mail commented: “The epic saga of Blackadder spans six centuries of British history and four decades of British television and is still loved and revered by audiences old and new. We are delighted to mark the 40th anniversary of Blackadder with a set of special stamps.”

The stamps go on general sale on Thursday, 17th May, with the presentation pack that includes all 12 stamps in the set priced at £19.60. The stamps are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/blackadder, by telephone on 03457 641 641 and at 7,000 Post Office branches across the UK.