Sounds of Britain (Europa) - 3 October 2006

The 2006 Europa series has the theme 'Cultural Diversity' with particular emphasis on youth. Royal Mail have chosen a musical aspect for this theme, entitling their set 'Sounds of Britain'.

The UK has long been a melting pot for musical ideas, ranging from jazz brought to Britain by American servicemen during the war and the music of immigrants from Africa, the Caribbean and India. British musicians have taken these influences, modified them and put them together again to create their own sounds.

The preliminary stamp designs are shown above, descriptions and values below edited 1 July:
1st class - Asian, Sitar. "Bollywood and Bhangra"
42p - Caribbean, Bass guitar. "Africa and the Caribbean"
50p - Irish, Fiddle. "Celtic"
72p - Black American, Blues*. "Jazz and Blues"
[44p] £1.19 - Latin America, Maracas.
(*This is as originally described by Royal Mail: we have changed it in line with their new official description.)

Technical details:
Designed by CDT, the stamps are printed in lithography by Cartor Security Printing, size 37x35mm with PVA gum, in sheets of 25 and 50.
All images except our FDC are Copyright 2006 by Royal Mail.

Our exclusive limited edition cover for this issue is shown below (preliminary design) - Price £8.95.

Also available:
Mint or vfu used set of 5 - £4.00
Stamp cards (enlargements), set of 5 - £2.25
Stamp cards serviced with the appropriate stamp on the front and 5 different postmarks - £6.00
Presentation pack - £4.75.

First Day Postmarks

Some special postmarks announced for the Day of Issue are shown here (not to scale). Others will be added in due course.

Ref FD635 Philatelic Bureau Official Postmark	Ref FD636 Official postmark, Rock, Kidderminster	Ref FD636N Official non-pictorial postmark, Rock, Kidderminster	Ref M10224 Sounds of Britain, Rock, Kidderminster	Ref L10219 Sounds of Britain, Fiddlers Hamlet, Epping
Ref N10229 Sounds of Britain, Harpswell, Gainsborough	Ref N10225 * The Influence of Irish Music in Britain, Dublin Street, Liverpool 3	Ref L10221 The Louis Armstrong, The Blues House Tavern, Dover Public Houses	Ref L10220 Indian Way, London W12	Ref M10223 Sounds of Britain, Osbourne Road, Birmingham
Ref N10228 Sounds of Britain, Sound, Nantwich	Ref L10222* CDT Design Limited, London	Ref L10218 the Stables, The Laine Dankworth Centre, Wavendon, Milton Keynes	Ref N10226 the Brindley, Runcorn, Cheshire, Halton's brand new purpose build Theatre & Arts Centre	Ref N10227 Pudsey West Yorkshire, BBC Children in Need Appeal
*Postmark Explanations: N10225 - "Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann" - the Irish Traditional Music organisation, "Ceol agus Gaol" - Music and Relationship. (Link is to Ireland site.) L10222 - CDT Design - designers of the stamps.