Norvic Philatelics - GB New Stamps and Special Postmarks
Best-selling cartoonist and author Raymond Briggs has created brand new
illustrations of one of his most famous characters for this year's
Christmas stamps.
Raymond Briggs was born in 1934 in London, and was educated at the local
grammar school and the local art school. Following army service he went on
to the Slade School of Fine Art and since leaving in 1957 he has been a
freelance illustrator, book designer and writer.
His bibliography starts with The Strange House in 1961 and he had several other successes including Jim and the Beanstalk in 1970, but one of his biggest successes has been Father Christmas in 1973. Brigg's Father Christmas is a working class character, rather than a regal Santa on a throne or the owner of a factory staffed by elves. In Father Christmas Goes on Holiday (1975) our hero realises his dream of visiting warmer places. Other children's favourites include Fungus the Bogeyman (1977) which was followed in 1978 by The Snowman. The Snowman was made into an animated film in 1982 and is a firm favourite on television every year.
Although mainly regarded as writing for children, Briggs also wrote and
illustrated When the Wind Blows in 1982, the story of nuclear
holocaust and the unreadiness of governments, and Ethel
and Ernest a biographical account of his parents' life, which is now
used in schools to teach 20th century history.
Links:
Toonhound
Briggs Fansite.
Penguin
Books site - What Briggs says about his work and what others say about
him
Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas going about his work: the stamps
on the miniature sheet are in the order of the story. Father Christmas
starts the task of delivering presents in a calm moonlit night (2nd
class), but then has to battle through windy weather
(40p), use an umbrella in the rain (57p), and a torch in foggy weather
(68p); he shelters from snow and hail (£1.12), but by
sunrise on Christmas Day all is calm again (1st class).
All images are taken from Royal Mail's Philatelic Bulletin and Postmark
Bulletin, Christmas publicity material and are Copyright 2004 by
Royal Mail.
This stamp issue will consist of:
a. six self-adhesive stamps, 2nd class, 1st class, 40p, 57p, 68p, £1.12
b. conventionally-gummed miniature sheet - containing all six stamps
arranged in the order of the story, rather than in value order.
c. 1st class book/sheetlet of 12 self-adhesive stamps
d. 2nd class book/sheetlet 24 self-adhesive stamps
e. 'Smilers' self-adhesive sheet of 20 containing 10 x 1st class and
10 x 2nd class
Christmas stamps with just 10 different labels, although the order of
labels on the right-hand 2nd class stamps differs from that on the
left of the sheet. This is the first time stamps of two different
values have been mixed in a Smilers sheet.
g. presentation pack
with 6 sheet stamps (see below)
h. stamp cards
i. Christmas air letter in English and Welsh language versions (see
below)
j. Christmas Greetings cards - these are without the face value or Queen's
head: size 170x120mm.
Technical details: The stamps are printed in gravure by De La Rue, size 32x30mm in sheets of 50. The perforation is 14½ x 14 die cut. The conventionally gummed miniature sheet is 115x105mm with conventional perforation in the same measurement.
We have several different exclusive FDCs for this issue, for stamps, miniature sheet, and Smilers strips or singles.
Prices:
Set of 6 on Norvic FDC with postmark FD324 or W9311 - £8.95
Miniature sheet on Norvic FDC with postmark FD324 or M9307 - £8.95
Smilers pair (1 each 1st and 2nd class) on Norvic FDC with
postmark W9311 - £3.95
Smilers strip of 5 1st and 5 2nd on two Norvic covers with
L9304/M9307 - £9.95
Smilers strip of 5 1st and 5 2nd on two Norvic covers with
Buckingham Palace postmarks - £12.95
Other products - see illustration of some at foot of page:
Mint set of 6 or Miniature Sheet - £4.25 each
Presentation pack (with set of 6) - £4.95
Booklets 1st class (12) - £4.40; 2nd class (24) - £5.95
Mint Smilers sheets 1st & 2nd class mixed - £6.95
Aerogramme, English or Welsh - £0.75
Some PO FDCs also available - £5.25.
Stamp cards 147x105mm with reproductions of the stamps (about
100x100mm) - £2.75 per set.
Christmas Greetings Cards - reproducing the stamp designs without
the value and Queen's head, with the message "With best wishes for
Christmas and the New Year". Size 170mm x 120mm - price £4.50 per set of
6.
All prices exclude postage & packing. Please email
us.
The postmarks were available on the day of issue:
The postmarks shown here cannot be obtained after 2 November unless stated
(e.g. W7102).
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Ref FD323 |
Ref FD324 |
Ref L9302 |
Ref L9303 |
Ref L9304 |
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Ref L9305 |
Ref L9306 |
Ref M9307 |
Ref N9308 |
Ref W9311 |
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Ref W9339 |
Ref N9337 |
Ref L9331 |
Ref L9332 |
Ref L9333 |
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Ref L9327 |
Ref L9328 |
Ref M9336 |
Ref L9334 |
Ref W7102 |
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Ref T9340 |
Other products |
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Royal Mail FDC design by Raymond Briggs |
(above) Part of Christmas 2004 presentation pack
with cartoon story by by Raymond Briggs |
This page updated 22 November 2004 [16.1.05]
Any questions? please e-mail
us.
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13 January Classic Steam Locomotives | 30 January Hong Kong Stamp Expo 2004 Smilers Sheet | 3 February Occasions/Greetings stamps and Smilers sheet | 26 February Lord of the Rings | 16 March Letters by Night
Prestige Book (TPOs) A British Journey - Northern Ireland |
1 April New definitives, including airmail postcard book of stamps | 6 April Centenary of the Entente Cordiale | 13 April Ocean Liners | 11 May 40p Country definitives | 25 May Royal Horticultural Society |
15 June British Journey - Wales | 29 July Rule Britannia Smilers Sheet | 10 August Royal Society of Arts | 16 September Woodland Animals | 5 October Scottish Parliament Building |
12 October Crimean War | 2 November Father Christmas |
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