The Post Office is to issue a collection celebrating some of the biggest manufacturers ever to contest the TT races.

Great British Motorcycles - A Celebration of Innovation focuses on ground-breaking engines through the paintings of Graham Crowley and archive imagery from Mortons.

The 12-stamp issue, which will be released on May 17, includes the iconic Norton ’Manx’ from the early 1960s, the four-cylinder, supercharged, air-cooled V-four AJS and the Excelsior Manxman, a machine at the forefront of road racing in the 1930s.

Maxine Cannon, general manager of Isle of Man Stamps and Coins, said: ’I’m really pleased we have this opportunity to celebrate some true icons from the world of motorcycle racing. Many of the machines that are featured have raced in the Isle of Man TT which, of course, is recognised as the sternest test for machine and rider in motorsport. We expect this to be a popular collection with motorcycling fans of all ages.’

The stamps focus on engines in a captivating way, showcasing the innovative work of the leading British engineers and manufacturers whose resilience has long been proven.

As well as the images from Mortons, regarded by some as one of the greatest collections of motorcycle images in the world, the stories of the machines are told by David Wright, author of several books on the TT.

Graham Crowley, previously a professor of paintings at the Royal College of Arts, who is the artist behind the paintings, said: ’I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with the Isle of Man Post Office to help celebrate innovation in some truly great British motorcycles.

’As a fan of road-racing I’ve visited the Island more than 40 times since the late 1960s for the TT, Manx Grand Prix and Southern 100 and so it’s important to be able to bring to life some astonishing skills and talents which went into developing such iconic machines and, ultimately, led to the racing feats of TT heroes.’