Royal Observatory Greenwich 350 Celebration Affixed First Class Stamps Presentation Pack

Discover the incredible history of the Royal Observatory with this beautifully illustrated fold-out souvenir of celebratory stamps, to mark the 350 year anniversary of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Six First Class stamps in the main set focus on key aspects of the Royal Observatory’s history.

• Flamsteed House, completed in 1676
• Airy Transit Circle Telescope 1851
  
• Shepherd Gate Clock, 1852
• The Prime Meridian, chosen as the centre of time and longitude in 1884
• Great Equatorial Telescope, installed in 1893
• Annie Maunder Astrographic Telescope, installed in 2018

Also included is the John Harrison Miniature Sheet with an additional four stamps. Each stamp honours one of the four prototypes that prize-winning clockmaker John Harrison invented to solve the problem of finding longitude at sea. Four First Class stamps showcase each of Harrison’s prototypes for measuring Longitude at sea that
became known as H1, H2, H3 and H4.

H4, defying conventional wisdom by adopting a watch design went on to win the 1714 Longitude Act just three years before his death. The next generation of clockmakers subsequently developed Harrison’s ideas into the marine ‘chronometer’ that became an essential part of navigational practice in the 19th and 20th centuries.

These stamps celebrate his perseverance, determination, and ingenuity. They are a high-quality souvenir, telling the story of the Royal Observatory and its important role in the history of astronomy, timekeeping, and navigation through archival photographs, historical notes, and fascinating facts.

Perfect for stamp collectors and history and science enthusiasts. Note: The stamps are affixed to the presentation pack and are therefore not valid for postage.