We all love a bit of nostalgia and reminiscing, thinking back to fond memories of our childhood. This new First Class stamp collection from Royal Mail will not disappoint.
Designed beautifully by Interabang and photographed by John Ross, the UK’s favourite toys from the past one hundred years are celebrated in this new set of stamps. British toymakers were known for their quality and innovation. The team sourced original versions of the toys, along with packaging and branding, to inspire them and really bring out the true nature of these products that have endured the decades.
Featured toys
All ten classic toys featured on the stamps were made in the UK:
Merrythought – The Merrythought Bear
Established in 1930, Merrythought is a soft toy manufacturer. Its first catalogue in 1931 included the first Merrythought mohair teddy bear. It’s now the last remaining British teddy bear factory to still make products in the UK.
Sindy – Weekender Doll
Pedigree Toys Ltd launched the Sindy doll in 1963. She was Britain’s new teenage fashion doll that wore cutting-edge designs. Sindy gained millions of fans around the globe.
Spirograph
Spirograph used complicated maths formulae to create epitrochoids and hypotrochoids, which to most people meant beautiful patterns with a pen! It was invented by mathematician Bruno Abakanowicz.
Stickle Bricks – Super Set House
Stickle Bricks were invented in 1969 for toddlers. Each brick had a brush of plastic fingers to help it stick to other bricks when building.
William Britain – Herald Trojan Warriors
William Britain originally produced soldiers made from lead, but then moved on to using plastic.
Spacehopper
The Spacehopper was originally intended to be an exercise device, not a toy. The toy version we know and love today was created by Mettoy.
Fuzzy-Felt – Farm Set
Created in 1950 by Lois Allan, Fuzzy-Felt had a flocked board which you then added felt shapes to, to create a scene.
Meccano – Ferris Wheel
Meccano was invented by Frank Hornby and given the name in 1907. It continues to be one of the most collectible toy manufacturers.
Action Man – Red Devil
The first Action Man made for the UK market was in 1966. Specific outfits were produced for UK customers, which included Red Devil parachutist and football kits.
Hornby Dublo – TPO Mail Van
Frank Hornby made these scale model train sets which were first introduced in 1920.
Specification
As per the Royal Mail website:
Issue Date: 22 August 2017
Catalogue code: AS2928
Design: Interabangk
Stamp format: Square
Stamp size: 35mm x 35mm
Printer: International Security Printers
Print process: Lithography
Perforation: 14.5 x 14.5
Phosphor: Bars as appropriate
Gum: PVA
How to get your hands on some
The stamps are now available at 7,000 post offices and you can also buy them online. As always, Royal Mail haven’t just stopped there. They have also released a framed version of the stamp set along with:
Classic Toys Postcards
All of the ten Special Stamps have been reproduced from the original stamp artwork and made into postcards that can be collected, framed or posted (priced at £4.50 at time of writing this)
Classic Toys Presentation Pack
This pack displays all of the ten special stamps, with iconic illustrations and images. Written by toy expert, author and founder of ToyTalk, David Smith. It features hidden design stories about the toys (priced at £7.00 at time of writing this)
Classic Toys Stamp Souvenir
This is identical to the First Day Cover but without the personalisation. It features the Toys Hill, Edenbridge postmark. It’s only available for 90 days from the issue date, so hurry (priced at £8.22 at time of writing this)
How many of the toys featured do you remember playing with? We’d prefer not to say! If you’re looking to add to your collection or sell some stamps then contact us today!