It's elementary
We have today announced we are issuing a set of 10 Special Stamps to celebrate Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, one of the most beloved fictional heroes of all time.
Six stamps depict characters from the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning BBC series, Sherlock, including: Sherlock Holmes; Doctor John Watson; Jim Moriarty; Irene Adler; Mary Morstan; and Mycroft Holmes. Mrs Hudson and Eurus Holmes are also featured.
Devised and written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock aired for the first time in July 2010. This interpretation of Conan Doyle’s mysteries offered audiences a fresh, modern take on his novels and short stories, with an irreverent tone and 21st century technology such as internet searches, texting and GPS. It went on to win numerous awards for its writing, production and the acting of Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Amanda Abbington and Andrew Scott.
Each of the character stamps feature a scene from some of the most popular episodes from across the series. When UV light is shone over the stamps, hidden details from the episode storyline are revealed.
An additional four stamps, presented in a miniature-sheet, explore other stories written by physician-turned-author, Conan Doyle. The stories included are among the ones Conan Doyle considered his favourites: The Adventure of the Speckled Band; The Red-Headed League; The Adventure of the Second Stain; and The Adventure of the Dancing Men.
When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published his first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet, in 1887. He had no idea how iconic the character would become. Inspired by the detective stories of Edgar Allen Poe and real-life figures such as Scottish surgeon Joseph Bell, Conan Doyle would produce 56 Holmes short stories and four full-length novels before laying the character to rest in 1927.
Sherlock producer, Sue Vertue, said: ‘We are terribly proud of our Sherlock TV series and am now ridiculously excited about these Royal Mail stamps. I'm going to immediately book a UK holiday so I can send all my friends postcards using them!’
Richard Doyle, Arthur Conan Doyle’s great nephew, said: ‘In the first chapter of my great uncle Arthur's famous Sherlock Holmes novel, The Sign of Four, Sherlock remarks upon the sheet of stamps in Watson's desk - imagine his consternation if it turned out to be this sheet of stamps! What would he have deduced from what he observed?
‘I hope those who take a close look at these fascinating stamps are inspired to read the original stories and novels written by my great uncle - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.’
Stamp strategy manager, Philip Parker, added: ‘We celebrate the enduring fascination with the world’s most famous fictional detective – Sherlock Holmes. Our stylish new stamps mark the acclaimed and award-winning TV series and are complemented by illustrations of some of the stories Conan Doyle considered among his best.’
The stamps and a wide range of collectible products are available now to pre-order. The stamps will go on general sale from 18 August.
