New stamps to celebrate the Royal Observatory
Royal Mail has released images of 10 stamps being issued to celebrate the Royal Observatory's foundation in 1675.
Featured on the main set of six stamps are the Airy Transit Circle Telescope; Flamsteed House; the Great Equatorial Telescope, the largest refracting telescope in the UK; the Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope; the Prime Meridian; and the Shepherd Gate Clock.
A further four stamps honour prize-winning clockmaker John Harrison and his marine timekeepers, ahead of the 250th anniversary of his death in 2026, showcasing each of his prototypes for measuring longitude at sea.
The stamp images narrate the story of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London and its role in the history of astronomy, timekeeping, and navigation.
David Gold, Royal Mail's director of external affairs and policy, said: 'We are proud to honour the Royal Observatory's 350th anniversary with a set of stamps that celebrate its enduring legacy in advancing our understanding of the universe and its pivotal role in shaping modern science and navigation.'
Dr Louise Devoy, senior curator of Royal Observatory, said: 'We are delighted to have partnered with Royal Mail to celebrate six key moments in the 350-year history of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich and the groundbreaking timekeepers by John Harrison, which still call the Royal Observatory home.'
The stamps and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order from today ahead of the stamps going on general sale from June 12.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Stamps mark Royal Observatory's 350th anniversary
A set of 10 stamps to mark the history and achievements of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, has been released by Royal Mail. They include four images of telescopes, one of a clock, and one of the original observatory building, Flamsteed House. A further four special stamps show marine timekeepers, as pioneered by clockmaker John Harrison. The Royal Observatory was founded by King Charles II in 1675 and is described by Royal Museums Greenwich as Britain's oldest purpose-built scientific institution. The observatory was founded to provide better star charts to help navigation for global trade. Its Astronomers Royal - the first of whom was John Flamsteed - observed the stars and developed new instruments such as the Airy Transit Circle and Great Equatorial Telescope. Royal Navy surveyors plotted their longitude from Greenwich using chronometers based on horologist Harrison's timekeepers, and the widespread use by ships worldwide of charts based on the Greenwich meridian led to the international recognition of Greenwich as the prime meridian of the world in 1884. The stamps are available to pre-order from Thursday and go on general sale from 12 June. The woman who sold time - and the man who tried to stop her Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
New stamps to celebrate the Royal Observatory
Royal Mail has released images of 10 stamps being issued to celebrate the Royal Observatory's foundation in 1675. Featured on the main set of six stamps are the Airy Transit Circle Telescope; Flamsteed House; the Great Equatorial Telescope, the largest refracting telescope in the UK; the Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope; the Prime Meridian; and the Shepherd Gate Clock. A further four stamps honour prize-winning clockmaker John Harrison and his marine timekeepers, ahead of the 250th anniversary of his death in 2026, showcasing each of his prototypes for measuring longitude at sea. The stamp images narrate the story of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London and its role in the history of astronomy, timekeeping, and navigation. David Gold, Royal Mail's director of external affairs and policy, said: 'We are proud to honour the Royal Observatory's 350th anniversary with a set of stamps that celebrate its enduring legacy in advancing our understanding of the universe and its pivotal role in shaping modern science and navigation.' Dr Louise Devoy, senior curator of Royal Observatory, said: 'We are delighted to have partnered with Royal Mail to celebrate six key moments in the 350-year history of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich and the groundbreaking timekeepers by John Harrison, which still call the Royal Observatory home.' The stamps and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order from today ahead of the stamps going on general sale from June 12.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
New stamps to celebrate the Royal Observatory
Royal Mail has released images of 10 stamps being issued to celebrate the Royal Observatory's foundation in 1675. Featured on the main set of six stamps are the Airy Transit Circle Telescope; Flamsteed House; the Great Equatorial Telescope, the largest refracting telescope in the UK; the Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope; the Prime Meridian; and the Shepherd Gate Clock. A further four stamps honour prize-winning clockmaker John Harrison and his marine timekeepers, ahead of the 250th anniversary of his death in 2026, showcasing each of his prototypes for measuring longitude at sea. The stamp images narrate the story of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London and its role in the history of astronomy, timekeeping, and navigation. David Gold, Royal Mail's director of external affairs and policy, said: 'We are proud to honour the Royal Observatory's 350th anniversary with a set of stamps that celebrate its enduring legacy in advancing our understanding of the universe and its pivotal role in shaping modern science and navigation.' Dr Louise Devoy, senior curator of Royal Observatory, said: 'We are delighted to have partnered with Royal Mail to celebrate six key moments in the 350-year history of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich and the groundbreaking timekeepers by John Harrison, which still call the Royal Observatory home.' The stamps and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order from today ahead of the stamps going on general sale from June 12. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
