Conscious that they have issued pet stamps before, Royal Mail have expanded the range from cats and dogs and cats & dogs in one set, to show a range of ten pets including fish, reptiles, rodents and of course a cat and dog (kitten and puppy).
Their write-up:
For centuries pets have held a cherished place in our homes and hearts. From the soothing purr of a cat to the joyful wag of a dog’s tail, animals enrich our lives with companionship, loyalty, and boundless affection. This special stamp issue celebrates the everyday animals that share our lives and shape our stories—whether curled at our feet, perched on a favourite branch, or bustling about in lively tanks and hutches.
Five x 2nd class and five x 1st class stamps feature some of the much loved domestic companions, capturing the unique personality, charm, and character that make pets such treasured members of our families. Beyond their adorable faces, these animals represent comfort, friendship, emotional support, and the simple joys that brighten even the busiest days.
The stamps
1st class: Fancy rat, dog, cat, cockatiel, guinea pig.
Technical Details
The 35 mm square stamps are printed in lithography on gummed paper by Cartor Security Printers Ltd in two sheets of 50, perforated 14½. Apparently no third-party design studio was involved, it was just a case of book the photographer for 'bring your pet to work day'.
Update: I find that the FDC insert provides some more details about the images used: The Cockatiel is © cynoclub/iStock/Getty Images Plus; goldfish is © Life on White/Alamy Stock Photo; all others © Warren Photographic Ltd.
Products available
Set of 10 stamps, first day cover, presentation pack, stamp cards, framed set (£40)
UPDATE:
It's been pointed out on Postcrossing and by Linn's Stamp News that the same goldfish previously appeared in the USPS Pets set in August 2016. It's available on the Shutterstock image website. |
| Four of the USPS Pets stamps issued in August 2016 |
As an aside, and in response to Comments about stamps fro Fujeira, I'll just show these which were not unathorised trash but which are actually postally used from the FPO. Some Fujeira is very collectable, especially on cover.
It's more or less what I imagined these would like when the title "PETS" was announced. Unimaginative? I suppose? Will they at least brighten up an envelope/ postcard and add some character? Yes!
ReplyDeleteIf you can find them at a Post Office needs to be added after Yes!
DeleteI agree with Aurelia. A bonus of the sheets is that you can get vertical strips of 5 of the design you particularly like.
DeleteAnd if they aren't readily available from Tallents House I know that we can order them. I'll provide product codes if anyone wants them
DeleteThe goldfish is my favourite there. Won't be buying many stamps though, as perhaps I have gone overboard on earlier issues.
ReplyDeleteSomeone on postcrossing pointed out that the goldfish looks like the same stock image used by USPS in 2016, if true then that's really lazy work by Royal Mail!
ReplyDeleteThis is confirmed by Linn's Stamp News in the US - the image comes from Shutterstock.
DeleteIt's not "lazy" work - if you decide not to use a design studio to find photos, and not to commission a photographer to take new photos then the answer is to use what is available on Shutterstock, iStock, Alamy, Getty Images etc.
DeletePreviously Shutterstock has been the source of images used for The Spice Girls, Shirley Bassey, the raven at the Tower of London,
OK fair enough, maybe not "lazy", but certainly unimaginative and far from unique.
DeleteAs it takes so long for post to be delivered may I suggest the tortoise could be the official emblem of Royal Mail
ReplyDeleteGood idea! And the budgie stamp can be used to notify customers that you need 2 1st Class stamps to send post to Australia while the goldfish's expression represents the look post office clerks usually have if you ask for the latest commemoratives or country definitives.
DeleteMine are yet to arrive from Tallents House. It seems that the days when issues used to arrive on the day of issue are gone. I would prefer to buy at my local post office (who are very good) but they often don't get the new stamps at all despite ordering them. Even I am beginning to think that I may stop collecting new GB this year, never see stamps on letters (except ones I send) and the relentless churn of new stamps is making us look like Fujeira and Sharjah from the early 1970s.
ReplyDeleteI’d completely forgotten about garish , worthless ‘ stamps ‘ from Fujeira and Sharjah hidden in cereal packets !
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