The Royal Academy of Arts, usually known as the Royal Academy or RA marked its 250th Anniversary in May this year. Founded as a charity with generous initial support from King George III its mission was and is to promote the enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts.
The set of six Royal Mail commemoratives feature specially commissioned personal portrayals of the RA Summer Exhibition by RA members: Grayson Perry (co-ordinator of the 2018 Summer Exhibtion); Fiona Rae; Norman Ackroyd; Barbara Rae; Yinka Shonibare and Tracey Emin.
This GOLD 500 cover features a magnificent portrait of King George III, framed by a superb 22ct gold-blocked design, whose personal generosity enabled the Royal Academy to be established in 1768. The cover is completed by a Burlington Gardens 250th Anniversary handstamp.
