Saturday 11 January 2014

A trip down memory lane for the cost of a postage stamp

Royal Mail is celebrating over sixty years of classic children’s TV with a new stamp collection. This special issue commemorates the 40th anniversary of Bagpuss, probably the most popular British children’s TV character of all time and the 50th anniversary of The Magic Roundabout.

Twelve of the most popular characters from children’s television are included in the set. The full line-up features - Andy Pandy, Ivor the Engine, Dougal from The Magic Roundabout, Bagpuss, Paddington Bear, Postman Pat, Windy Miller from Camberwick Green, Mr. Benn, Uncle Bulgaria from the Wombles, Bob the Builder, Peppa Pig, and Shaun the Sheep.

One of my earliest recollections is watching Andy Pandy on TV - see a previous post here

My son was particularly keen on Mr. Benn, Ivor the Engine and Bagpuss, and we often watched them together when he came in from school. 

Bagpuss, (an old, saggy cloth cat, baggy, and a bit loose at the seams), remains a particular favourite of mine and who could forget Windy Miller - see previous post here, Uncle Bulgaria or Paddington Bear. 

I probably wouldn’t have made the acquaintance of Peppa Pig if it were not for my little granddaughters. They both love anything Peppa! 
Here they are waiting to see Peppa Pig Live at the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Sets of stamps are available from Post Offices after the 7th January. If you would like something rather more special, you could order one of the limited-edition 1st-day covers signed by Emily and Peter Firmin. Available at Buckingham Covers


Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate were the creators of Bagpus, Ivor the Engine, Noggin the Nog and The Clangers. Emily Firmin is the daughter of Peter Firmin and the inspiration behind Emily from Bagpuss.

Once upon a time, not so long ago there was a little girl and her name was Emily. She had a shop. It was rather an unusual shop because it didn’t sell anything. You see everything in that shop window was a thing that somebody had once lost and Emily had found and bought home to Bagpuss. Emily’s cat Bagpuss, the most important, the most beautiful, the most magical, saggy old cloth cat in the whole wide world.

Bagpuss Opening Intro

30 comments:

  1. I used to love all of those characters with the exception of Mr Ben. Something about him bothered me. I'm still not sure why.
    You have beautiful children.

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    1. I’m sorry I can’t agree. Mr. Benn was wonderful! I loved the way he went into that shop as one thing and came out as something completely different. I’ve always wished I could do that.

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  2. Oooooo! Now this is an affordable way to bring back memories! Though most of these are British (I am suspecting), the images do bring back this ERA for me. I truly believe that most of us just don't want to grow up like the way the fast-pace society wants us to. Let's hang on to the innocence of childhood my dear. Anita

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    1. You are quite right Anita they are all British. I don’t know if they’ve aired in other parts of the world but if not they should!
      I think I grew up once, decided I didn’t like it and reverted to childhood – a much nicer place to reside.
      Thank you for your visit xx

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  3. Bagpuss is adorable. I have never seen him before. I am however familiar with Dougal from the Magic Roundabout. When hubby and got married in York, in 1977, I insisted on a Dougal cake for our wedding cake. It was a hit! (i think my in-laws thought I was a bit strange but they seem to love me anyway)

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    1. Hello Darlene, I would think your in-laws love you because you had a Dougal cake for your wedding! Dougal is loved and revered in the UK! ( - :
      Thanks for calling in.

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  4. Oh Barbara! These are all gorgeous.
    Bagpuss was and still is a favourite character of mine. Mr Benn, I'd sadly forgotten all about him, but after reading this post I'll be hunting for episodes online. Postman Pat, The Wombles.... thank you so much for the flashback. I loved them all!

    I adore the picture of your little grandaughters in all their Peppa Pig finery :)

    Have a lovely day x

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    1. Hi Yvonne, Mr. Benn is indelibly imprinted on my mind from watching so many episodes with my son. They just don’t make TV like that any more! I hope you enjoy catching up with him again.
      The girls are absolutely mad on Peppa Pig, so it makes present buying much easier.
      Thank you for dropping in. I hope you enjoy the rest of your Sunday. I'm just going to look for a copy of Bellman & Black, thanks so much for the recommendation.

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  5. Good morning dear friend!

    So lovely to see your comment this morning and to come into your virtual bookshop once again. I hope your Sunday will be a magical day with a cup of hot tea, a good book or something BEAUTIFUL to enjoy. You are so kind and thoughtful to always come a callin'!

    Big hugs, Anita

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    1. Dear Anita, calling on you brightens my day! I always appreciate a kind word and a hug, thank you. Happy Sunday!

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  6. What a wonderful post! I love these stamps, even if I don't know most of the shows. The intro you included was great! It was so fun to see your granddaughters and they do sound like huge Peppa fans. :) Thanks for sharing. :)

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  7. What a terrifically adorable idea! I would love to see the US postal service do this! What a cute surprise it would be to send a child mail just for them with one of these characters on the stamp. ;-)
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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    1. Hi Jamie, I was thinking the same thing. I will have to buy up lots of the Peppa Pigs ones for when I send presents to my granddaughters in Australia. xx

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  8. These are all new to me here in the USA, but I love them and think they are wonderful! Thanks for sharing this Barbara! Love to see what is happening in your part of the world! Have a great week. ~ Diane

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    1. Hello Diane, that’s another reason why I love your blog – there is always something new for me to discover. I’m pleased to be able to return the favour. Thanks for calling in. xx

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  9. I know some of these characters but not all - watched Paddington as I was growing up in the 70's and 80's in Canada , and these days my daughters really like Shaun the Sheep.

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    1. Hi Leanne, I’ve yet to see Shaun the Sheep, but I bet my little granddaughters could tell me all about it. Thanks for calling in.

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  10. How wonderful! Brings back some fond memories.

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  11. Bagpuss, my favourite. Great collection and reasonably priced as well - I saw them advertised as being £27.95 which included the frame and p&p. I do however have to disagree with your granddaughters (sorry) but I cannot stand Peppa Pig.

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    1. Hello Tracy, yes I couldn't resist ordering one at that price. I'm sure I will find a home for it in one of my collections.
      I think you have to be a certain age to appreciate Peppa! I enjoyed watching it with my granddaughters, but then was more to do with being with them. It’s certainly better than Teletubbies!

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  12. I'm sorry I'm not famoliar with these classics, except for Paddington Bear. A shop that sells nothing is so interesting. I'd have loved to know/watch more of Bagpuss!

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    1. I don’t think many (if any) of these made it outside the UK. They are all well-known and well loved here. I’m sure you would enjoy Bagpuss.

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  13. I LOVE these stamps! I've got a Bagpuss, a Paddington Bear and a couple of Wombles soft toys here.

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    1. Oh you lucky thing, I would love a Paddington Bear. He is just so cute with his suitcase and wellies!

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  14. Sadly, I've never heard of these characters, but I love Bagpuss. What a magical show. How wonderful to celebrate childrens classic TV with those stamps.

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  15. Hi Donna, according to Wikipedia there were only 13 episodes of Bagpuss but they were repeated over and over again and in 1999, Bagpuss topped a BBC poll for the UK’s favourite children’s TV programme. Not bad going when you consider how few episodes there were.

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  16. Awwwww, I love these! Peppa Pig is a new favorite of mine. And Paddington from deepest darkest Peru, an old favorite. :-)

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    1. I’m with you re Peppa and Paddington! It’s so nice for each generation to have their own favourites. Andy Pandy was mine, Mr. Benn my son's and Peppa for my grandchildren. I wonder what their children will be watching.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx