Ever since the stamp programme was announced we wondered whether there could possibly be a redeeming factor in this issue: that is, something other than an American comic strip. But no, the 75th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip is being commemorated by Britain's Royal Mail.
Royal Mail reason and inspiration
Royal Mail are celebrating the internationally loved comic strip ‘Peanuts’ on the occasion of its 75th anniversary in 2025.
The first black-and-white Peanuts daily strip launched on Monday, 2 October 1950, in a modest seven newspapers. As many more papers signed on, it led to the longer Sunday episodes in colour, from 6 January 1952. It expanded to the UK in February 1953, first featuring in the Daily Sketch, before switching to the Daily Mail in May 1971.
Charles Schulz devoted himself to putting his pen to paper and turned his ‘repertory company’ of assorted children, a beagle and a little bird into the American comic-strip masterpiece Peanuts. Seven days a week for nearly 50 years, the comic was enjoyed in as many as 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries by an estimated 350 million readers. Reprints still run in some 2,000 papers in print and online – proof that Peanuts remains highly popular with young and old a quarter of a century after Schulz’s final original strip appeared on 13 February 2000.
Each stamp in the set of eight, se-tenant pairs, features Charlie Brown, Snoopy and friends in a British style theme of the much-loved comic strip including: the classic Snoopy pose on a Royal Mail Pillar Box, playing Football (or Soccer as Charlie Brown may have called it), Charlie Brown and Snoopy “enjoying” the British Weather and a Birthday Tea Party among others.
The stamps
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| 8 x 1st class stamps marking the 75th anniversary of American comic strip 'Peanuts'. |
Technical Details
The 41 x 30 mm stamps were designed by Interbang and printed by Cartor Security Printers in lithography with regular gum, perforated 14½ x 14. Copyright © 2025 Peanuts Worldwide.
Collectors Sheet & Fan Sheets
I don't recall a previous collector sheet having only 8 stamps - if the set had 8 normally two were duplicated. This sheet is litho and self-adhesive making the stamps different to those issued in counter sheets. (Price £14.80)
Products available
Set of 8 stamps, first day cover, presentation pack, collector's sheet, stamp cards, Peanuts character pack of set of stamps, Peanuts Gang Fan sheet, Snoopy Fan sheet. silver-plated medal cover, framed stamp set, framed collector's sheet, limited edition (1000) gold stamp ingot of the Snoopy stamp.
So the only British 'connection' is that the comic strip appeared latterly in a UK newspaper?
ReplyDeletePathetic! - that is probably the kindest review I can offer (and which might be expected to pass moderation) for such a poor showing.
The Star Wars issue eight years ago was where it started going wrong.
DeleteWhatever happened to Matt Parkes ?
Once again, another set that will never be seen on an envelope or even be able to buy a set from the Post Office, Im sure that the city of Doncaster must be the only city in GB without a main post office..
ReplyDeleteRingwood, Acton and Hounslow are important places too which ought to have a main post office..to buy these stamps from but do not...If anyone wants them.
DeleteLast Collectors Sheet to have 8 Stamps (4x 1st & 4x £2) was the Dame Shirley Bassey Sheet of 2023 and previously the King Charles III New Reign Sheet (4x 1st & 4x £2.20)
ReplyDeleteAnother USA themed baseless issue, I wonder does RM have many rich American backers? It seems that way to me .
ReplyDeleteWe should be celebrating proper British Anniversaries and alike, not this American rubbish. RM have completely lost their way when to comes to stamp issues.
ReplyDeletePersonally I quite like them but then I did enjoy the cartoon strip back in the day. I suppose RM could have gone with home grown Andy Capp but that hasn't aged very well.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree the connection to the UK is somewhat tenuous, it's important to remember that Royal Mail is a profit-making company (and they rarely let you forget that). Snoopy & the Peanuts gang will sell—clearly, as evidenced by Norvic Philatelics reaching an impressive and well-deserved 10 million page views just by discussing them.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love steam locomotives and Queen Victoria too, but let’s be honest—they’re unlikely to stir much fresh excitement. In the Postcrossing threads I participate in, the number of people from around the world who’ve already pre-ordered these stamps and related items is overwhelming.
If we want to keep the art of stamp collecting, interest in the postal system, or even the charm of snail mail alive, it's sets like these that attract attention and spark curiosity. Sometimes, we need to take the big with the small.
Personally, I really like them. And despite the loose connection, the design is distinctly British: the gang enjoying afternoon tea, Snoopy and Woodstock in bearskin hats, Charlie Brown caught in the rain (a nod to the English summer, surely), and Snoopy lounging atop a UK pillar box. For those musically inclined, the stamp showing Schroeder at the piano features the sheet music to Land of Hope and Glory.
So yes, the UK link may be light—but these weren’t carelessly designed. There’s a thoughtful, playful Britishness to them, and that's worth enjoying.
Congratulations on the 10m milestone.
ReplyDeleteWorth remembering that RM is now under foreign ownership.
However, the British design touches referenced, such as the pillar box, are clever.
Like many, I only use 2nd class for general post and have not liked any since ‘Blackadder’. ‘Peanuts’ is therefore perhaps a missed opportunity to bring a bit of humour to a wider audience, which ‘Mushrooms’ failed to deliver.
I do like the look of these. I did read some of the comic strip, and watch the cartoon series... Happy days! I shall acquire some stamps at a nice little sub post office (and isn't the closest post office to me)!
ReplyDeleteI don't really mind tenuous links to the UK for stamp themes from Royal Mail. If we in the UK can enjoy Snoopy, or Star Wars, various comic strips, music legends, etc. no matter where they are from... I wonder though, which would be more popular - the Snoopy stamps or the ones for Porridge? For me, I think Snoopy would win hands down.
Steam locos are nice, except when you breathe in their exhaust..... the local heritage railway has had complaints about the smoke, and even affects laundry out on the line.
Also we had a Star Trek set, DC comic set featuring Batman, Superman, etc etc not forgetting the Marvel set they are all American connections, but they do represent British in a way, with lots of British actors in them.
ReplyDeletei like them, i like pretty labels.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the crayon, they don't let me have sharp things in here.