Roald Dahl Stamps

This week saw the release by Royal Mail of a new series of stamps which honour the work of renowned children's author, Roald Dahl.

Featuring illustrations by Quentin Blake, who enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration with the late writer, the series showcases six of Dahl's best-known books, namely Mathilda, the BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox, the Witches and The Twits.

In addition, there will be four James and the Giant Peach stamps available as a collector's set to mark the book's 30th year in print.

According to his daughter, Ophelia, the limited edition stamps would have received the Dahl seal of approval had he been alive to see them. "My dad wrote thousands of letters home throughout his life and never dreamed that one day one of his own characters would grace a stamp", she said.

And the Royal Mail has not stopped there. Another important literary anniversary - the 200th anniverary of the birth of Charles Dickens - will be celebrated with another set of stamps in June.

Quite a year for all you philatelists out there!