The stamps, issued to mark the bicentenary of Dickens’ birth, feature iconic characters from Dickens’ tales that have characterised Victorian London for generations. The illustrations, by Joseph Clayton Clarke (otherwise known as ‘Kyd’),  are taken from the book ‘Character Sketches from Charles Dickens’, published in 1890.

The 1st Class stamp – costing 60p -  features the much loved character Mr Pickwick, from ‘The Pickwick Papers’.  Mr Bumble, the parish beadle, from ‘Oliver Twist’ – arguably Dickens’ best known novel – is featured on the 2nd Class stamp, costing 46p.

The set also comprises The Marchioness from ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’,  (77p), Mrs Gamp from ‘Martin Chuzzlewitt’, (87p), Captain Cuttle from ‘Dombey and Son’, (£1.28), with Mr Micawber from ‘David Copperfield’ (£1.90) concluding the stamp issue.

Royal Mail is also issuing a miniature sheet of four 1st Class stamps of illustrations by Hablot Knight Browne, (otherwise known as ‘Phiz’). The sheet features the novels ‘Nicholas Nickleby’, ‘Bleak House’, ‘Little Dorrit’ and ‘A Tale of Two Cities’.

“Charles Dickens was one of the truly great British novelists. We couldn’t think of a more fitting tribute to his life and works than celebrating them on a set of special stamps,” said Royal Mail Stamps spokesperson, Philip Parker.
 
Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, the great, great, great granddaughter of Charles Dickens added,  "When Charles Dickens was born into an impoverished home in 1812, no one in his family imagined he would become an international celebrity.

“Royal Mail's decision to produce stamps to commemorate the bicentenary of his birth illustrates the phenomenon he became in his lifetime and still remains today. The stamps not only celebrate his life and work, they are testimony to what a unique and extraordinary man Charles Dickens was."

The stamps are available from 19 June in all Post Office Branches and online at www.royalmail.com/dickens