Britain to issue Harry Potter stamps

Britain's Royal Mail is issuing a series of seven stamps depicting the covers of the best-selling "Harry Potter" books just before the final volume goes on sale.

Millions of the stamps will be issued on July 17 as part of the post office's tradition of celebrating "social themes and important occasions central to our way of life," said Julietta Edgar, who is in charge of special stamps at Royal Mail.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" goes on sale July 21.

"There's no doubt that J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels, published in dozens of languages worldwide, have made a phenomenal impact on our reading habits," Edgar said.

Rowling's fantasy series has sold more than 325 million copies worldwide. She has said two major characters will die in the final book, which is being released under tight security.

_____

On The Net:

Royal Mail, http://www.royalmail.com/stampinfo.

J.K. Rowling, http://www.jkrowling.com