Classic Children’s TV stamps
Royal Mail’s Special Stamp programme kicks off 2014 with an issue that celebrates over 60 years of classic children’s TV. 12 of the most popular characters from children’s television are included in the set.
Each decade since the 1950s is represented. Many of these shows have acquired cult status, and while intended for a young audience, they also attract devoted adult fans. Such was the attraction of The Magic Roundabout that when in 1967 it was moved to an earlier timeslot, the BBC received complaints from the programme’s adult fans who could not get home from work in time to watch the show.
12 first class stamps feature original images from the chosen TV programmes, made even more charming and collectable by the fact that each character is ‘breaking out’ of the standard stamp format.
The product range includes a set of 12 mint stamps (£7.20), an illustrated presentation pack with notes from television writer Graham Kibble-White (£7.70), a wooden framed set (£25), a set of 12 postcards (£5.40), and five pin badges including Great Uncle Bulgaria (£5.95 each).
The First Day Cover (£9.12) has all 12 special stamps affixed and is cancelled with a Wimbledon, London postmark, chosen as it is the home of The Wombles. It also includes a filler card, complete with a pen portrait of each featured series written by TV expert Graham Kibble-White.
You can buy the stamps from http://www.royalmail.com/childrenstv or at post offices throughout the UK from 7 January.
Characters
- Andy Pandy: First screened in 1950, Andy Pandy co-starred with Teddy and Looby Loo.
- Ivor the Engine: Ivor the Engine worked in the ‘top left-hand corner of Wales’ from 1959.
- Dougal - The Magic Roundabout: Created by Serge Danot, this popular series made its UK debut in 1965.
- Windy Miller - Camberwick Green: Broadcast from 1966, the series was narrated by Play School’s Brian Cant.
- Mr Benn: Mr Benn appeared in 1971, and the shopkeeper appeared ‘as if by magic’.
- Great Uncle Bulgaria - The Wombles: The Wombles introduced us all to the idea of recycling way back in 1973.
- Bagpuss: This ‘saggy old cloth cat’ first appeared on our television screens in 1974.
- Paddington Bear: The well-meaning bear from Darkest Peru found TV stardom in 1975.
- Postman Pat: The friendly postman first appeared in 1981, together with his cat Jess.
- Bob the Builder: Can he fix it? Yes he can, and he’s been doing so ever since 1998.
- Peppa Pig: This lovable and cheeky little pig celebrates her 10th anniversary in 2014.
- Shaun the Sheep: Following ‘A Close Shave’ in 1995, Shaun graduated to TV in 2007.
Technical specifications
Design: Interabang
Stamp format/size: Square 25mm x 25mm excluding protrusions
Printer: International Security Printers
Print process: Gravure Perforation: 15 x 15
Phosphor: All over
Gum: Self-adhesive
Number per sheet: 30/60