The release is focused around the band’s album artwork as it charts their journey from the Birmingham club scene to international acclaim.

Duran Duran’s almost five-decade journey from the Birmingham club scene to international acclaim is being celebrated by Royal Mail through a new set of special stamps focused on their album artwork.

The collection also features a miniature sheet centred around their tour posters from the 1980s until the 2020s, serving as a visual timeline of their live performances over the years.

Formed in 1978, the award-winning group are famed for tracks such as Rio, Hungry Like The Wolf and Ordinary World, having secured two UK number one singles and a chart-topping album.

Lead vocalist Simon Le Bon praised the new release, describing the set as "a massive visual validation of the band and its history" and a "pinch yourself" moment.

He added that he feels "so happy and fortunate" to be part of the band’s lasting legacy.

Discussing what the new collection means to the band, Le Bon said: “Having stamps is a bit far out. Nobody would have anticipated this at any time.

“For so many years, we were struggling against the negativity. We’re not a flash in the pan, and the stamps really vindicate us.

“It’s big stuff. It’s a massive visual validation of the band and its history.”

The 67-year-old continued: “When you see those album covers all lined up, all eight of them, you look at it say, ‘we’ve done a lot of work’.

“And we’ve done it together – we’ve stayed together – and it reminds us of that. I just feel so happy and fortunate to be part of all that.”

The singer joined the group in 1980 and is a core part of its current line-up, alongside keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor

Rhodes said it is a “real honour” to be represented on British stamps and told PA: “We’re proud as a band that we’re even still around all these years later, but we keep finding little things like this that happen that make everything even more surprising and special.”

Fellow founder John described the collaboration as “a Duran Duran legacy project”, while Roger said it makes the band feel like it is “part of the cultural furniture” in the country.

“The band is almost set in stone now. Once you start getting things like this, there’s an immortality,” Roger added.

The new stamp collection includes eight album covers spanning records such as Duran Duran, Rio, Seven And The Raged Tiger, Notorious, Duran Duran (The Wedding Album), Astronaut Paper Gods and Future Past.

“I think it was great that we picked the album covers rather than beauty shots or shots of us, because the legacy is the music,” Le Bon said.

“I think the fans will be really proud.”

Rhodes described the stamps as “mini masterpieces”, and added: “From the moment I was born I was looking at Royal Mail stamps.

“I was excited when letters arrived at home through the letterbox.

“I still am – so to be a little part of that is magical, and just the greatest honour.”

The group have become the ninth music band to feature in a Royal Mail stamp issue, joining The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, Spice Girls, The Who and AC/DC.

The release of their stamps coincide with the 45th anniversary of their debut album Duran Duran and its breakthrough single Planet Earth, which peaked at number 12 on the UK singles chart.

The stamps, and a range of collectable products, are available to pre-order from September 10 and go on general sale from September 17.

Courtesy The Independent