From amps to stamps as ten classic albums celebrated in new collection

Legendary designs on albums including Scots rockers Primal Scream's Screamadelica, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells and Blur's Parklife will appear on stamps next month, followed by special stamps in February to mark the 100th anniversary of girl guiding.

Another anniversary will be celebrated in March – the 150th of Battersea Dogs Home in London.

Other stamps planned for later in the year will feature children's books, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, musicals and railways.

The life of 17th-century Irish philosopher, scientist and inventor Robert Boyle will also be celebrated with a stamp.

Julietta Edgar, head of special stamps at Royal Mail, said: "Our special stamps are famous around the world for their ability to capture the richness and diversity of British heritage and culture.

"As different as they are distinctive, special stamps bring together famous people, great art, historic events and major anniversaries on millions of miniature canvases every month."

The ten self-adhesive stamps of British album covers, which have an unusual off-square design, are all first class.

Royal Mail said it began with "extensive" research of existing lists and polls of "greatest album covers", trawling through thousands of albums in the process.

It also asked music publications and graphic designers for advice.

From the final list of ten, designs were produced which show each album cover – but with a twist, as each stamp features a vinyl disc which appears outside the die-cut of the stamp.

Ms Edgar said: "After the success of 2009's British Design Classics, we continue the theme by exploring the classic art of the album cover. For decades, the album sleeve has been the canvas for some of the most imaginative graphic artists in the world and this issue celebrates this unique artform and some of its greatest examples."

The full list of albums in the new stamp collection include The Division Bell by Pink Floyd; Parklife by Blur; London Calling by The Clash; Led Zeppelin IV; Power, Corruption & Lies by New Order; Primal Scream's Screamadelica; Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones; Coldplay's A Rush Of Blood To The Head; The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars by David Bowie; and Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield.