+ Issue Date     : 05/01/2012
+ Classification : Postage Stamp
+ Emission       : Definitive / General Issue
+ Designer       : Studio Dempsey
+ Printer        : De La Rue Security Printers
+ Printing       : Photogravure
+ Perforations   : 14½ x 14
+ Separations    : Die-cutting
+ Gum Type       : Self-Adhesive / Pressure Sensitive
+ Shape          : Rectangular
+ Orientation    : Vertical

London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Definitives - 5 January 2012To herald the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London Royal Mail issued four distinctive new Definitives. They bear the official Emblems of the Games of the XXX Olympiad and the XIV Paralympic Games. 

The four elements of the Olympic Emblem (outlines of the numerals of 2012) are designed to accommodate different colours and imagery.  The 2012 Paralympic Games Emblem is composed of the same elements as the one for the Olympiad, but features three ‘agitos’ (asymmetrical crescent shapes denoting movement) instead of the Olympic Rings and the words ‘Paralympic Games’ at the bottom right. 

This issue is also known as Flame Machin.
The layout of the 1st class stamp, in sheets of 50, is shown at left. The upper pane has 13 Paralympic and 12 Olympic stamps; the lower pane has 12 Paralympic and 13 Olympic stamps. The cylinder number is on the lower pane only.  The grid shows 6 positions. 

The 20g stamp will be issued in  sheets of 25, but there will be two  versions similar to the 1st class panes shown here.  Both versions of the 20g sheet will have cylinder numbers with the grid showing 12 positions.

The stamps were available at Post Office Counters from 5 January 2012 through to 30 January 2012, when they were replaced by the Jubilee Definitive. The Olympic Definitive were re-introduced at Post Offices on the 27 June 2012 when a Generic Sheet was issued.