Royal Mail 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo

 

ROYAL MAIL (UK) in 2015 released an exceptional collection of First Day Cover stamps  dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. Ten stamps were issued to depict the key military exchanges of this historic encounter between French and British-led Allied forces.

The stamps feature six works of 19th century art that portray, in chronological order, major events on the day of the battle. One stamp features a reproduction of ‘The Battle of Waterloo’, a famous painting that was owned by the Duke of Wellington and now hangs in Apsley House, London.

Featured are:
- The defence of Hougoumont (1st)
- The Scots Greys during the charge of the Union Brigade (1st)
- The French cavalry's assault on Allied defensive squares (£1.00)
- The defence of La Haye Sainte by the King's German Legion (£1.00)
- The capture of Plancenoit by the Prussians (£1.52)
- The French Imperial Guard's final assault (£1.52)

A further four stamps were issued as a miniature sheet representing the combatants from the Battle in their distinctive uniforms, showing the multi-national nature of the coalition force. Featured are:
- 92nd Gordon Highlanders (£1.33)
- Light Infantry, King’s German Legion (1st)
- Prussian Infantryman (£1.33)
- French Imperial Guard Grenadier (£1.33)

The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18 June 1815 and is arguably the most famous battle in the history of the British Army. It was a contest between Napoleon’s army and an Allied contingent of British and German forces led by the Duke of Wellington, one the greatest British military leaders of all time, and Prussian forces under cavalry commander Gebhard von Blucher – which ultimately put an end to Napoleon Bonaparte’s ambitions. It has often been described as the ‘day that changed European history’.

Shown is the Royal Mail Prestige Stamp Book.