Queen appear on UK postage stamps to celebrate 50 years since the band's formation

To commemorate legendary rock band Queen's formation 50 years ago, Britain's Royal Mail is issuing 13 special postage stamps to honour the group.

Eight stamps will feature images of Queen's most iconic album covers, such as their 1974 sophomore LP, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack (1974), A Night At The Opera (1975), News Of The World (1977), The Game (1980), Greatest Hits (1981), The Works (1984) and the final studio album released during Freddie Mercury’s lifetime, Innuendo (1991).

As well as being five decades since the band's origin, the anniversary also marks Queen's first ever show together in London.

Individual live shots of each band member are also included in the stamp collection, which goes on general sale from July 8.

Frontman Mercury at Wembley Stadium (from the group’s 1986 'Magic Tour'), Drummer Roger Taylor at a Hyde Park show from 1976, bassist John Deacon at the Hammersmith Odeon during 1975’s 'A Night At The Opera' tour, and guitarist Brian May in Budapest on the 'Magic Tour' are included as stamps.

The 13th stamp will feature a black and white image of Queen shot by Johnny Dewe Mathews from the band’s first-ever studio photoshoot.

“It’s hard to put into words what I feel when looking at these beautiful stamps”, said guitarist Brian May in a statement.

“Since we four precocious boys started out on our quest 50 years ago, our lives have been devoted to making our impossible dream come true. Sometimes it’s strange to wake up and realise the position in which we are now held – we have become a national institution! And nothing brings this home more than this incredible tribute from Royal Mail.”

“It’s particularly poignant to look at this collection of images now – now that we are all in a world dominated by a coronavirus, in which none of this could have happened," May added.

"I just know that I feel an overwhelming desire to own one of these sets! Somehow it will be a way of persuading myself that it really DID all happen!”

Queen are only the third group ever to have a dedicated stamp issued by the Royal Mail, after The Beatles in 2007 and Pink Floyd in 2016.

“With their truly original, theatrical sound and effortless ability to mix musical styles, Queen are rock royalty”, Philip Parker of the Royal Mail commented.

“We pay tribute to one of the most loved bands of all time with these stunning stamps.”

Queen were named Britain’s best-selling vinyl artist of 2019 earlier this year, with over 75,000 units sold.

The stamps are now available for pre-order from the band's website here.