Iron Maiden’s founder, Steve Harris, says he was astounded when he heard Royal Mail was planning the collection
(Picture: Royal Mail/Iron Maiden)Royal Mail is celebrating the heavy metal band Iron Maiden with a stamp collection to be launched next week.
The band members and Phantom Music Management worked closely with Royal Mail to produce the collection, which features images of the band dating back to 1980.
Moments featured on the stamps include Bruce Dickinson in London in May 1983 and with Dave Murray and Janick Gers in Rio de Janeiro in January 2001.
Iron Maiden founder member and bassist Steve Harris commented on the collection and said: “We were all absolutely astounded – in a good way! – when we heard first about the commemorative project, and equally pretty much speechless when we saw the stamps for the very first time.
“They look superb and I think they really capture the essence and energy of Maiden. We’re all very proud that Royal Mail has chosen to honour the band’s legacy like this and we know our fans will feel the same way.”
Additionally, the band’s “long-serving mascot and pop-cultural icon in his own right”, Eddie, is also honoured with his own miniature sheets, including artwork of Eddie as a samurai warrior from the recent Senjutsu album.
Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said: “As a band who have never played by anyone else’s rules for over 40 years, it’s very gratifying to see them honoured in their home country in this way. We’re proud to show how these six band members are still appealing to more and more fans every year with their music and their legendary shows – which I think these stamps really capture well.”
He added: “It’s also fantastic that Eddie has been honoured too – it’s incredible to think that Her Majesty, may she rest in peace, saw these and lent her iconic silhouette to them too.”
Iron Maiden was formed in London in 1975 and they have had one number one in the UK with 1988 single Bring Your Daughter… to the Slaughter and, according to Official Charts Company, Iron Maiden has had 35 songs in the top 40.
The band have also had five number one albums including Fear of the Dark, The Book of Souls, The Final Frontier, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and The Number of the Beast.
How to buy Royal Mail’s Iron Maiden stamps and prices
The Iron Maiden stamps are available to order from January 5 at www.royalmail.com/ironmaiden and by phone on 0345 7641 641 and will go on general sale on January 12, 2023.
A presentation pack containing all 12 stamps is priced at £17.70.
The most expensive item in the collection is a platinum-layered Eddie stamp sheet packaged in an Iron Maiden flight case, which costs £199.99.
An Iron Maiden signed, limited edition framed Senjutsu stamp costs £139.99 while a framed collection of the stamps costs £59.99.
The stamps themselves are more affordable, with an Iron Maiden half sheet of first-class stamps costing £22.80.
David Gold, Royal Mail’s director of external public affairs and policy, said: “Few bands in the history of rock music can be called bona fide rock legends – but Iron Maiden are just that – and more.
“With legions of devoted fans of all ages and from every corner of the globe, not only have they changed the way rock music sounds, but they have also changed the way it looks. We fully expect their fans will love these stamps as much as we do.”
Royal Mail stamps coming out in 2023
Following the Iron Maiden collection, Royal Mail will release a number of other pop culture collections this year, such as X-Men and Harry Potter stamps.
Historical moments will also be honoured this year, including King Charles III’s coronation and the 75th anniversary of the Windrush migration.
- February 16 – X-Men
- March 9 – The Flying Scotsman
- March 23 – Flowers
- April 13 – The Legend of Robin Hood
- May 6 – His Majesty King Charles III: A New Reign
- May 17 – Blackadder
- June 8 – Warhammer
- June 22 – Windrush: 75 Years
- July 13 – River Wildlife
- August 10 – Terry Pratchett’s Discworld
- September 5 – to be announced
- September 21 – Dame Shirley Bassey
- October 19 – Harry Potter
- November 2 – Christmas 2023
