Date of Issue : 5 Sep 2023
Postmark : London
Denomination : 2 x 1st Class, 2 x £2.00 and 2 x £2.20
Stamp Size : 35 mm x 35 mm
Paper : PVA Gummed Stamp Paper
Printing Process : Lithography
Above is definitely a delightful set of commemorative stamps issued by Royal Mail in 2023 to mark the 65th anniversary of Paddington, a beloved marmalade-loving bear created by Michael Bond in 1958. The issue comprises 10 stamps in total – six stamps in the regular set and remaining four in a miniature sheet. The designs in the regular stamps are derived from Ivor Wood's strip cartoons, originally published in the London Evening News during the late 1970s. Each stamp captures Paddington in a light-hearted and recognisable activity, emphasising his personality and gentle humour. The six scenes include :
- 1st Class – Paddington with a jar of marmalade
- 1st Class – Paddington sawing wood
- £2.00 – Paddington pushing a shopping trolley
- £2.00 – Paddington holding an ice cream
- £2.20 – Paddington carrying presents
- £2.20 – Paddington interacting with a crab
The stamps are illustrated in a style faithful to the original strip cartoons, thus preserving the nostalgic aesthetic of the 1970s.