Which icons should we choose to represent the best of British design? We gathered together a panel of experts from the world of design to help us make the final cut.
The British Design Classics Mint Stamps are available as a se-tenant set of 10, so you can appreciate the greatest achievements of British design alongside each other.
1st Class – Supermarine Spitfire
The superlative Battle of Britain fighter with its distinctive elliptical wings was designed by R J Mitchell who sadly died before the plane went into production.
1st Class Large – Mini Skirt
Mary Quant rewrote the fashion rules for women forever with her daring design.
1st Class – The Mini
Sir Alec Issigonis made use of every available space in the small car that was as much a fashion statement as a means of transport.
1st Class – Anglepoise Lamp
George Carwardine’s flexible design brought light wherever it was needed.
1st Class – Concorde
Aerospatiale and BAC’s supersonic jet was capable of twice the speed of sound and beautiful to look at too.
1st Class – K2 Telephone Kiosk
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s design bright-red phone box always stood out on the streets of the UK.
1st Class – Polypropylene Chair
Found in public buildings throughout the world, almost everyone will have sat on a Robin Day chair at some time.
1st Class – Penguin Books
Edward Young’s book jacket design was instantly recognizable as a Penguin edition.
1st Class – London Underground Map
Harry Beck’s easy to understand design was based on an electrical wiring diagram.
1st Class – Routemaster Bus
Once a symbol of London to visitors from all over the world now only a few of Douglas Scott and Colin Curtis’s remain on London’s streets.
| Feature | Type/Detail |
|---|
| Number of stamps | 10 |
| Design | HGV |
| Photography | Jason Tozer |
| Acknowledgements | Supermarine Spitfire © Royal Air Force Museum, London; Mini Skirt supplied courtesy of Mary Quant; Mini supplied courtesy of Beaulieu Enterprises and used by permission of MINI UK; Anglepoise Lamp reproduced with permission of Anglepoise Holdings Limited – Anglepoise is a registered trade mark of Anglepoise Holdings Limited; Concorde supplied courtesy of Museum Sinsheim and used by permission of British Airways plc; K2 Telephone Kiosk supplied by Unicorn Kiosk Restorations; the Robin Day Polypropylene Chair manufactured and distributed by Hille Seating Limited; Penguin Book reproduced by permission of Penguin Books Ltd; Routemaster Bus courtesy of London Transport Museum; Underground Map and logo © & ® Transport for London |
| Format | Square |
| Stamp Size | 35mm x 35mm |
| Printer | Cartor |
| Print Process | lithography |
| Number per Sheet | 30/60 |
| Perforations | 14.5 x 14.5 |
| Phosphor | Background screen |
| Gum | PVA |
