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On May 16 Royal Mail issued a set of stamps celebrating 20 years of Peppa Pig, the popular British animated television series for pre-school children.

Created by Neville Astley and Mark Baker, the programmes are screened in more than 180 countries around the world, and are especially popular in the United States and China.

The franchise has branched out into toys, books, video games, music and live shows. There are even theme parks in no fewer than six different countries.

Peppa Pig first appeared on television in May 2004. Each five-minute episode follows the adventures of Peppa, an anthropomorphic female piglet, and her family and friends, who include rabbits, sheep, cats, dogs, ponies, zebras, foxes, bears and gazelles.

Peppa lives in a house perched on top of a hill, in an idyllic world of blue sky, green grass, sunshine and flowers. Strangely, there are also muddy puddles!

Part of the show’s appeal is that it reflects the everyday experiences of children and their families, from attending playgroup to visiting the dentist. Episodes always end happily, with porcine snorting, falling over laughing or jumping in puddles.

A set of eight stamps from gummed counter sheets illustrate various characters, while a self-adhesive miniature sheet of four, titled Peppa’s Party, has a playful composite image with balloons, bunting and cake.

The issue was designed by Michael O’Shea and printed in litho by Cartor. The counter sheet stamps come in se tenant strips of four.

1st class PEPPA & GEORGE
Four-year-old Peppa likes to play with her teddy bear and jump in muddy puddles, while her little brother George loves playing with his toy dinosaur.

1st class SUZY SHEEP & DANNY DOG
Suzy Sheep is Peppa’s best friend and likes playing nurses. Danny Dog, another playgroup friend, wants to be a pirate when he grows up.

1st class GEORGE & DADDY PIG
Daddy Pig is rotund and jolly, and an expert at lots of things, from structural engineering to performing magic.

1st class MUMMY PIG & PEPPA
Mummy Pig is very wise about most things, and works from home on her computer, sometimes letting Peppa and George help.

£2.00 GRANDPA PIG & POLLY PARROT
Grandpa Pig is good at growing vegetables, and takes Peppa and George on trips on his sailing boat and mini train.

£2.00 GRANNY PIG & HER CHICKENS
Granny Pig makes delicious homemade chocolate cake, and lets Peppa and George help her feed her chickens.

£2.00 MR BULL & MADAME GAZELLE
Mr Bull is a rubbish collector, a construction worker and a taxi driver, while Madame Gazelle is the teacher at Peppa’s playgroup.

£2.00 MR ZEBRA & MISS RABBIT
Mr Zebra is a postman, and is shown holding a letter bearing the 1st class Peppa & George stamp. Miss Rabbit does many jobs, popping up as a bus-driver, shop assistant, librarian, ice cream seller, helicopter pilot and more.

MINIATURE SHEET
£2.00
Zoë Zebra at Peppa’s party.

1st class
Peppa herlself at Peppa’s party.

1st class
George at Peppa’s party.

£2.00
Suzy Sheep at Peppa’s party.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS
The presentation pack introduces Peppa and her family and friends. Stamp cards and first day covers are also available, plus a medal cover.

A press sheet of 12 imperforate miniature sheets is offered in a limited print run of 200.

PRICES
Set of 8 stamps £13.40
Miniature sheet £6.70
Presentation pack £21.00
First day cover (stamps) £16.75
First day cover (mini sheet) £8.70
Press sheet £80.40
Stamp cards £5.85

VERDICT
COMMEMORATIVE WORTH 2/5
This franchise is certainly a British success story, but over a comparatively short timeframe

QUALITY OF DESIGN 2/5
Although the simplistic nature of the images is part of the popularity of the franchise, it also ensures they are samey. Were 12 stamps really necessary?

WOW FACTOR 1/5
Children who like the series will be attracted to the stamps, but will they get to see them in postal use?