Harry Potter
On October 19, Royal Mail issued its third celebration of the Harry Potter fantasy fiction franchise within the space of 16 years.
Whereas the 2007 set paid tribute to the original series of seven novels by J K Rowling, and the 2018 set depicted characters and scenes from the earlier film adaptations, this issue presents an older cast as they appear in the later films, and have a darker tone.
The 10 stamps which come in counter sheets are equally divided between ‘good’ and ‘evil’ characters, and focus on the ‘Battle of Hogwarts’ in the final film, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, Part 2, which was released in 2011.
A six-stamp miniature sheet illustrates a selection of Creatures & Beings from the series, in illustrated rather than photographic form.
The Harry Potter films are part of the Wizarding World franchise, which is currently fourth in the historical list of highest-grossing film franchises.
Produced by the American company Warner Brothers, they were filmed largely in the United Kingdom and featured a predominantly British cast.
Whilst the popularity of the film series is undoubted, the stamp issue is Royal Mail’s latest shameless attempt to make money by selling a wide range of licensed souvenirs to fans.
Designed by True North, it was printed in lithography by Cartor Security Printers. The counter sheet stamps come in se tenant strips of five.
1st class RON WEASLEY & THE WEASLEY TWINS
Red-haired, freckle-faced Ron Weasley is well known for his playful humour and outstanding loyalty, not least to his friend Harry.
Twins Fred and George Weasley are the pranksters of Hogwarts School.
1st class MINERVA McGONAGALL & KINGSLEY SHACKLEBOLT
The strict but sentimental Transfiguration teacher Professor McGonagall shows her steely determination when Hogwarts takes up arms against Lord Voldemort.
Kingsley Shacklebolt is one of the wizarding world’s finest Aurors, and a future Minister of Magic.
1st class HARRY POTTER & GINNY WEASLEY
It is the destiny of the selfless and courageous Harry Potter to lead the forces of good into battle with Lord Voldemort.
Ginny Weasley slowly develops from being excessively timid into a courageous warrior.
1st class NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM & LUNA LOVEGOOD
Neville Longbottom’s brand of bravery isn’t about running around with wands blazing, but about knowing what is important and being willing to fight for it.
Luna Lovegood steps up to support her friends, without expecting anything in return.
1st class HERMIONE GRANGER & MOLLY WEASLEY
Hermione Granger is best known for being smart, but ultimately faces a test of her physical and psychological stamina.
Molly Weasley is the matriarch of a huge family of wizards who will protect her family at whatever cost.
1st class BELLATRIX LESTRANGE & NARCISSA MALFOY
Sadistic and tempestuous, Bellatrix Lestrange thinks nothing of murdering those who stand in her way.
Narcissa Malfoy is cruel and distant, and happy to see her family return to Lord Voldemort’s side.
1st class FENRIR GREYBACK & SCABIOR
Creepy and disgusting, Fenrir Greyback’s goal is to transform as many witches and wizards as possible into werewolves.
Scabior is another member of the Snatchers, who capture Muggle-borns and ‘blood traitors’ and turn them in to the Ministry of Magic.
1st class LORD VOLDEMORT & A DEATH EATER
Lord Voldemort’s aim is immortality, keeping himself alive without a thought for anyone else while being obsessively frightened of death.
The Death Eaters are his most loyal followers, with their forearms marked with his skull-and-snake symbol.
1st class SEVERUS SNAPE & ALECTO CARROW
The divisive Severus Snape lives his life as a tortured double-agent, keeping his true loyalties obscure until the end.
Dim but nasty, Alecto Carrow somehow gets appointed to teach Muggle Studies at Hogwarts.
1st class DRACO MALFOY & GREGORY GOYLE
Draco Malfoy is cruel to Harry and Hermione, but eventually learns from his mistakes.
The lazy Gregory Goyle is dismissively told by Draco that if he was any slower, he’d be going backwards.
MINIATURE SHEET
1st class HEDWIG
Hedwig the snowy owl has no trouble making her presence known whenever she is in the room, incessantly pecking Ron and Hermione until she gets answers.
1st class ARAGOG
Aragog, the Acromantula king, is Hagrid’s pet but isn’t so keen on Harry and Ron when they venture into the Forbidden Forest.
1st class DOBBY
The big-eared, big-hearted house-elf Dobby helps Harry out of trouble on many occasions, then makes the ultimate sacrifice for his friends.
1st class CROOKSHANKS
Half cat, half kneazle, Hermione’s pet Crookshanks is one of the most intelligent of his kind, despite his grumpy, oddly squashed face.
1st class FAWKES
Fawkes the phoenix helps Harry in times of darkness, with his healing tears and soothing song, and is a symbol of hope for all at Hogwarts.
1st class BUCKBEAK
A charming Hippogriff with a relish for foods so rare that they ooze blood, Buckbeak allows Harry to fly on his back.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS
The presentation pack explores the characters featured on the stamps, and their roles in the Battle of Hogwarts.
A press sheet of 12 miniature sheets is available, along with the usual first day covers and stamp cards.
PRICES
Set of 10 stamps £12.50
Miniature sheet £7.50
Presentation pack £20.90
First day cover (stamps) £15.65
First day cover (mini sheet) £9.65
Stamp cards £7.65
Press sheet £90.00
VERDICT
COMMEMORATIVE WORTH 1/5
Was it necessary to produce a second stamp issue for one film franchise?
QUALITY OF DESIGN 2/5
The images are less varied than those in the 2018 set, although more dynamic
WOW FACTOR 1/5
You’d have to be an aficionado to distinguish this from other fantasy sets of recent years
