19 August 2024
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Guernsey Post’s philatelic bureau has released a commemorative set of stamp on 25th July for Alderney to mark the 50th anniversary of Bagpuss, the classic British children's TV series.
50 Years of Bagpuss Stamps
Lovers of the old cloth cat can purchase the stamps directly from Guernsey Stamps, with prices starting at just £8.87 for a set of 4 stamps. Other items available in the issue include a presentation pack, first day cover and a prestige booklet. The new stamps all feature Bagpuss and his friends, the 65p stamp shows Bagpuss with Professor Yaffle and Gabriel, the £1.20 stamps shows Bagpuss with Madeleine the rag doll and the rest of his friends, the £2.71 shows Bagpuss, Madeleine and the magical mice and the £4.31 stamp shows Bagpuss with Professor Yaffle and one of the mice.
Related article: Alderney Wildlife Trust
Above: Guernsey Stamps has celebrated the 50th anniversary of beloved Bagpuss with a set of 4 stamps
A brief history of Bagpuss
Created by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate, the much-loved old cloth cat, Bagpuss, turns 50 this year. Originally, Firmin intended Bagpuss to be a striped marmalade, orange coloured cat but the company that wove the cloth had a manufacturing fault and used pink instead of orange thread. Despite the offer to replace it, Firmin decided that it was fate and the famed pink striped cat was born.
Related article: Alderney Wildlife Trust
Above: Items available include a First Day Cover
The programme first aired on 12 February 1974, and only 13 episodes ever being made. Despite the programme's short run, Bagpuss captured the nation’s hearts and become one of the best-loved children’s programmes of all time. The stories were set in a ‘lost and found’ shop owned by a girl called Emily, who's played by Firmin's daughter in the opening credits. Emily displayed belongings in the window in front of her favourite stuffed toy, Bagpuss, so their owners could come and collect them. When Emily is not there, Bagpuss and his friends come to life; we meet Professor Yaffle the woodpecker bookend, Gabriel the toad, Madeleine the rag doll and the magical mice.
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