The Royal Mail commemorates 65 years of Paddington Bear with special stamps.
To celebrate its 65th anniversary, Paddington Bear will be featured on a set of 10 special stamps unveiled by the Royal Mail. The collection showcases the beloved character through a variety of nostalgic images. Six stamps showcase illustrations from the comic strip cartoons created by animator Ivor Wood, which were originally published in the London Evening News during the 1970s. These images capture the essence of Paddington’s early charm.
The remaining four stamps in the set depict iconic scenes from the BBC television series, which was both designed and directed by Ivor Wood starting in 1976. This serves as a nod to the character’s enduring presence and impact on popular culture over the years. Notably, this is the first instance in which Paddington Bear has received a dedicated stamp collection.
Paddington’s previous appearances on stamps were in 2014 as part of celebrations marking 60 years of children’s television. During that event, he shared the spotlight with other beloved characters like Peppa Pig, Bob the Builder, and Shaun the Sheep. Additionally, Paddington was featured in a stamp set released by the Royal Mail in 1994, further highlighting his lasting popularity.
The character’s origin story traces back to 1958, when he made his debut in Michael Bond’s book, “A Bear Called Paddington. The narrative revolves around Paddington’s adoption by the Brown family in London, and his name is inspired by the train station where he arrives. Paddington’s journey has extended to the big screen in recent years, with actor Ben Whishaw lending his voice to the character.
Notably, the cinematic version of Paddington shared a comedic sketch with the late Queen Elizabeth II in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. In the new stamp collection, Paddington shares space with the profile of King Charles.
Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy, David Gold, expressed his hope that the stamps will bring joy to recipients by invoking Paddington’s timeless charm. These special stamps are set to become available for purchase on September 5th, offering fans and collectors a chance to commemorate the enduring legacy of Paddington Bear.
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