Special stamps seal Darwin date

This is the jigsaw-shaped stamp which Royal Mail is launching next month to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Shrewsbury-born Charles Darwin.

The Shropshire Star has been given a preview of the stamp, which is linked to his landmark work On the Origin of the Species.

Royal Mail said it was delighted to be releasing the stamp, which will be issued on February 12 as part of a set.

A futher five stamps demonstrate how the areas of his studies – zoology, botany, geology, ornithology and anthropology – came together to produce his theory of natural selection.

Zoology is represented by a photograph of a marine iguana, similar to the reptiles observed on the Beagle voyage; ornithology is shown by the Galapagos finches that demonstrated variation through the shapes of their bills; and geology by a Pacific atoll.

Botany is represented by an illustration of a bee orchid and anthropology by an orangutan, like one Darwin studied in London Zoo. They are the latest items being released to mark the landmark year commemorating the life and work of the scientist.

Mike Dalton, of Royal Mail, said: "The jigsaw design of the stamps is a great way to link Darwin's vast areas of research, while Howard Brown's miniature sheet is a beautiful representation of the Galapagos Islands.

"I'm delighted that we're launching these marvellous new stamps in Darwin's birthplace Shrewsbury and that Royal Mail is able to play a major part in the celebrations that the town is planning to mark this historic year."

People will also be able to get first day envelopes featuring the stamps franked in Shrewsbury, making it even more of a collector's item – but this will only happen on February 12 and people are being urged to pre-order in advance. Caroline Lewis, subpostmaster at Abbey Foregate Post Office, said: "The stamps look lovely."

By John Kirk