Royal Mail has revealed eight Special Stamps they are issuing to celebrate Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, marking the 40th anniversary of The Colour of Magic, his first book in the series. The stamps can now be pre-ordered and will be available for general purchase as of 10 August 2023.

Fans and philatelists can get their hands on stamps featuring Rincewind, The Librarian, Granny Weatherwax, Sam Vimes, and Great A’Tuin, as well as specially commissioned artworks of Death and Mort, Tiffany Aching and Moist von Lipwig, all of which are by Terry’s illustrator of choice for the Discworld series, Paul Kidby.

Royal Mail has been working closely with the Terry Pratchett Estate and Paul, and you can see the magnificent resulting stamps here:

Illustrator, Paul Kidby says: “It has been a huge honour to illustrate this set of stamps to commemorate 40 years of Discworld. I am delighted to finally be able to tell people about it as it has been a big secret to keep! It’s a wonderful celebration of Terry’s ongoing legacy and continued popularity.”

David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy at Royal Mail says: “These striking stamps will be loved by generations both young and old. Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels remain as popular as ever and it is fitting that in the 40th anniversary year of The Colour of Magic, we celebrate with a set of stamps that honour the work of an iconic and globally admired writer.”

The Discworld stamps are available to pre-order via Royal Mail’s website, by telephone on 03457 641 641 and at 7,000 Post Office branches across the UK. A Presentation Pack including all eight stamps in the set is also available and is priced at £13.50.