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Are you sitting comfortably? Then join in the celebrations for the Polypropylene Chair which takes a bow on Royal Mail’s first stamps of 2009.

SCDF Patron, Robin Day’s timeless design joins RJ Mitchell’s superlative Supermarine Spitfire and Alec Issigonis’s Mini on ten 1st Class stamps celebrating the finest examples of home grown design excellence spanning the 20th Century.

Issued on 13 January, British Design Classics also features some other instantly recognisable design icons, including Mary Quant’s daring mini skirt and Harry Beck’s innovative map of the London Underground.

And if the stamps provoke feelings of misty-eyed nostalgia, Royal Mail is also issuing a special Prestige Stamp Book which explores the background and history of the designs and the designers and features unique combinations of stamps.

Julietta Edgar, Head of Special Stamps, Royal Mail said: “Special Stamps have always played a major role in showcasing the best of our design talent and in sending the ‘Best of British’ around the world.

“So what better way to launch the 2009 stamp programme than with ten design classics alongside another one of the world’s most recognisable images - Her Majesty the Queen.”

British Design Classics, Stamp by Stamp

1st Class – Supermarine Spitfire – The superlative Battle of Britain fighter with its distinctive elliptical wings was designed by RJ Mitchell who sadly died before the plane went into production.

1st Class – Mini Skirt – Mary Quant rewrote the fashion rules for women forever with her daring design.

1st Class – The Mini – Sir Alec Issigonis made use of every available space in the small car that was as much a fashion statement as a means of transport.

1st Class – Anglepoise Lamp – George Carwardine’s flexible design brought light wherever it was needed.

1st Class – Concorde – Aerospatiale and BAC’s supersonic jet was capable of twice the speed of sound and beautiful to look at too.

1st Class – K2 Telephone Kiosk – Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s design bright-red phone box always stood out on the streets of the UK.

1st Class – Polypropylene Chair – Found in public buildings throughout the world, almost everyone will have sat on a Robin Day chair at some time.

1st Class – Penguin Books – Edward Young’s book jacket design was instantly recognizable as a Penguin edition.

1st Class – London Underground Map – Harry Beck’s easy to understand design was based on an electrical wiring diagram.

1st Class – Routemaster Bus – Once a symbol of London to visitors from all over the world now only a few of Douglas Scott and Colin Curtis’s classic design remain on London’s streets.

www.RoyalMail.com