Royal Mail has announced the launch of 12 special stamps to mark the 40th anniversary of Blackadder.

The delivery company explains: "From the mists of medieval England to the court of Queen Elizabeth I, from the glamour of the Georgian era to the grim trenches of the First World War, the stamps pay tribute to one of the pillars of British comedy.

"Launched in 1983 by writer Richard Curtis and star Rowan Atkinson - with the vital assistance of BBC producer John Lloyd and co-author Ben Elton - the series went on to win an International Emmy Award and is regularly named among the finest sitcoms of all time - while its scheming, amoral hero has become one of our most adored TV characters.

"The eight stamps in the main set capture moments spanning four series of the classic British sitcom and feature some of the show's best-loved characters, played by familiar names including Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson, Brian Blessed, and the late Patsy Byrne.

"In addition a further four stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, celebrate the main character, Edmund Blackadder, played by Rowan Atkinson, in his various guises over each of the four series of the classic sitcom."

Blackadder was first broadcast on 15th June 1983. As recently reported, TV channel Gold will celebrate the sitcom next month with new documentaries and by airing the previously un-broadcast pilot. Also to tie in with the anniversary, in February the BBC released Blackadder's Historical Record, a luxury vinyl LP collection of the episodes.

Talking about the stamps, Richard Curtis says: "We're very amused and delighted. It's a great relief for Blackadder to have his head on a stamp, instead of on a stake."

John Lloyd adds: "The entire team behind Britain's leading situation tragedy is deeply honoured by Royal Mail's magnificent stamps of approval. In the words of General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett, VC KCB; 'Let's give them a damn good licking!'"

David Gold from Royal Mail comments: "The epic saga of Blackadder spans six centuries of British history and four decades of British television and is still loved and revered by audiences old and new. We are delighted to mark the 40th anniversary of Blackadder with a set of special stamps."

The stamps go on general sale on 17th May, with the presentation pack that includes all 12 stamps in the set priced at £19.60. The stamps are available to pre-order from today at www.royalmail.com/blackadder, by telephone on 03457 641 641 and at 7,000 Post Office branches across the UK.