In celebration of the life and works of Charles Dickens, the Royal Mail today revealed a sneak preview of two stamps – officially launching in June – to celebrate the bicentenary of the novelist’s birth.

The two stamps feature illustrations from his first novel, The Pickwick Papers (originally serialised and entitled The Posthumous Papers of Pickwick) and his 1838 novel, Nicholas Nickleby.

The character of Mr Pickwick forms a set of six stamps featuring original illustrations adapted from Character Sketches from Charles Dickens, by Joseph Clayton Clarke (otherwise known as Kyd) and originally published around 1890.

The Nicholas Nickleby stamp will be part of a special Miniature Sheet of four stamps of illustrations by Hablot Knight Brown, (known as Phiz ), who illustrated ten books by the author.

Philip Parker, Royal Mail Stamps spokesperson said: “Charles Dickens was one of the truly great British novelists, a man born into poor circumstances who went on to change the world in which he lived thanks not just to his novels, but his campaigning journalism and philanthropy”.

The 7^th February will see events across the world taking place to mark the bicentenary of Dickens’ birth – from exhibitions, to writing workshops, re-enactments to retrospective film festivals – Dickens life will truly be an international celebration. In addition there will be wreath laying ceremonies in Portsmouth, his place of birth, and at Westminster Abbey, Dickens’ final resting place.

Source: Royal Mail Post

published February 10th, 2012