05-24-1999 – BBC – Mercury and Moore head millennium stamps
Rock legend Freddie Mercury and a Dalek join Charlie Chaplin and football hero Bobby Moore on a new set of millennium stamps from the Royal Mail.
Queen frontman Mercury, who died in 1991, is featured on the 19p stamp. Moore – who led England victory in the 1966 World Cup – is on the 26p stamp.
The singer was a keen stamp collector, and his collection was bought by the Post Office in 1993. The stamp marks his contribution to the Live Aid charity concert in 1985.
His parents Jer and Bomi Bulsara said: “We are delighted that Freddie is being featured on a stamp and it is a great honour both for him and ourselves.”
The new stamps were launched at Wembley Stadium by Bobby Moore’s widow Stephanie, and the goal scorers from England’s 4-2 final victory over West Germany, Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.
Moore picture for charity sale
The stamp was produced by Mike White, who was an illustrator for the comic Roy Of The Rovers. A copy of his painting will be auctioned for the Bobby Moore Fund for Imperial Cancer Research. Moore died of cancer in 1993.
The photo for the 44p Dalek stamp was taken by Lord Snowdon, who quipped: “When I was first approached, I thought I was being asked to photograph some garlic, which I thought was odd.”
Doctor Who’s mortal enemies vied with Coronation Street character Ena Sharples for a place in the collection, titled The Entertainers’ Tale.
The final stamp is a 64p one featuring Charlie Chaplin. They go on sale on 1 June.