Royal Mail Unveils Stunning Met Office 170th Anniversary Stamps
Get ready, weather spotters! Royal Mail is launching a special stamp collection to celebrate the Met Office’s 170th birthday. The set of eight eye-catching stamps captures the incredible journey of UK weather forecasting, mixing history, science, and future tech.
From D-Day to Antarctic Expeditions
These stamps highlight key moments in forecasting history. You’ll spot scenes from the daring Terra Nova Expedition to Antarctica, the 1924 debut of the Shipping Forecast, and weather’s vital role in the D-Day invasion. They show how weather forecasts have shaped daily British life for over two centuries.
Homage to Meteorology Legends
The collection pays tribute to pioneers like Luke Howard, who classified clouds back in 1803, and Robert FitzRoy, Met Office founder and storm barometer inventor. One stamp honours Barbara Edwards — Britain’s first female TV weather presenter, who inspired generations to follow.
Met Office Pride and Public Love
David Gold, Royal Mail’s director of external affairs, said: “The British love to talk about the weather. Whether at sea, on the farm, or camping, everyone wants to know if it’ll be sunny or wet. These stamps celebrate the people and science behind our forecasts.”
Met Office chief Professor Penny Endersby added: “We’re proud of our role in British history. These stamps show how we’ve evolved from pioneers to cutting-edge technology, always keeping the nation safe and informed.”
Available from February 2024
Chosen from extensive archives, this collection will be available to buy from February 1, 2024. Perfect for stamp collectors and weather fans alike, these stamps honour 170 years of dedicated meteorological service — a true British obsession!
