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Citizenship & Identity gallery

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This image bank shows three examples of definitive stamps that have been used in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.  At the start of her reign, definitive stamps showed a photograph of Queen Elizabeth II that had been taken by Dorothy Wilding. In 1967 this was replaced by what has come to be known as 'the Machin head' - the design based on a plaster cast of The Queen created by Arnold Machin.

This image of The Queen has become a national icon. Although The Queen has aged, and her portrait on coins has changed to reflect this, the Machin head has remained the same - a timeless classic. The image is not a direct representation of The Queen but a symbol of Britain.

In this section you can find:

Image of stamp showing Dorothy Wilding photographQueen Elizabeth II stamps using the Wilding photograph
Two examples of early definitive stamps for Queen Elizabeth II that show the photograph taken by Dorothy Wilding



Image of 28p Machin stampStamp showing the profile picture of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin
A 28p stamp that is an example of the definitive 'Machin head' used on definitive stamps from 1967 until the present day - a timeless, classic icon of Great Britain.