Toast to best of British

The London Underground stamps will be released on January 9 to mark the 150th anniversary of the first underground railway in the world. The stamps track the Underground’s development from the first steam-driven Metropolitan Railway service through to the current Canary Wharf station.

This year also marks the bicentenary of the publication of Pride And Prejudice, Jane Austen’s most famous novel. It will be celebrated as part of a six-stamp set on sale from February 21, and will feature scenes from Austen’s other works.

Others will commemorate football heroes, British automotive legends, dinosaurs, and a set of Christmas stamps – which will take on a religious theme.

Andrew Hammond, managing director of Royal Mail Stamps, said: “The 2013 programme explores some of Britain’s greatest achievements from 
the world of literature, 
industry, sport and modern society in a schedule that certainly contains something for everyone.”