65 years of a beloved talking bear
At Together we are unashamed Paddington superfans (in fact, one of our teams cat is named in his honour). So, to be asked to create a set of special stamps, a miniature sheet and a whole range of products to celebrate 65 years of the nation’s most famous Peruvian bear was a dream commission.
A bear called Paddington
The main set of six stamps features charming illustrations by Ivor Wood, who drew Paddington for a series of four-frame strip cartoons published in the London Evening News in the late 1970s. They are fast, loose and expressive interpretations and have a wonderful sense of movement.
Ivor Wood was a prolific animator – creator of both The Magic Roundabout and Postman Pat. We worked from scans of Wood’s original acetate cel drawings, bringing out not only the colours but Paddington’s endearing personality too. The miniature sheet features stills from the BBC Paddington stop-frame animation series, directed by Wood. The narrative in these four stamps depicts Paddington’s relationships, with the Brown family and with his friend, antique dealer Mr Gruber.
“Paddington continues to bring cheer to generations of children worldwide,” says David Gold, director of external affairs and policy at Royal Mail. “These delightful stamps will brighten up the day of anyone receiving mail with a touch of Paddington’s charm.”
Special stamps and a whole range of collectibles celebrating this beloved literary character went on sale from September 2023.
Shop the full range here
Minisheet Carrier, front and back
Above: Detail of collectors sheet
Below: Presentation pack, front and back
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