February 2006

There are two new issues for February 2006: 'A British Journey: England', and 'Brunel'. To celebrate we have selected stamps from previous years that are from the earlier issues in the British Journey collection, stamps that relate to the life and achievements of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

A British Journey

Royal Mail launched the 'British Journey' stamp series back in July 2003, starting in Scotland.  Since then the series has travelled around Britain’s home nations featuring stunning scenic photographs chosen by stamp designers James Phelan and Lissa Barker. The final instalment, issued on 7 February 2006, marks the end of the journey in England.

The following stamps are a selection from the British Journey collection issued over the past few years covering locations in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and South-West England.

Engineering Achievements

To mark the 200th anniversary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's birth, Royal Mail are issuing a new series of Brunel stamps on 23 February 2006.

We found the following image from the stamp issue 'British Ships' in January 1969, which illustrates one of Brunel's most recognised achievements, the SS Great Britain.

We also found examples of other impressive engineering achievements illustrated in the stamp issue 'Europa. Engineering Achievements' from May 1983. The stamps feature the Emergency Support Vessel Iolair, the enormous Humber Bridge, and the Thames Flood Barrier.

It is probably safe to say that few engineers since have not been influenced by the work of Brunel in some way. It is intriguing to think what the great Victorian would have made of these modern engineering challenges.

Why not visit our current Stamp of the Month exhibition for 2007?