Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Wallace and Gromit and Morph among familiar faces on new Royal Mail stamps

The British postage service company has teamed up with Bristol-based animation studio Aardman Animations.

Connie Evans
Monday 10 October 2022 19:01 EDT
Royal Mail have teamed up with Aardman Animations to create a new selection of stamps (Royal Mail/Aardman/PA)
Royal Mail have teamed up with Aardman Animations to create a new selection of stamps (Royal Mail/Aardman/PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Royal Mail has unveiled a selection of stamps celebrating beloved Aardman Animations characters including Wallace and Gromit, Morph and Shaun The Sheep.

The Bristol-based animation studio was founded in 1972 and is best known for its films using stop-motion and clay modelling animation techniques.

The British postage service company has teamed up with Aardman to feature some of their most celebrated characters on a new set of eight stamps. They include fan favourites Wallace and Gromit, Feathers McGraw, Shaun The Sheep, Timmy, Robin, Morph and Chas, Frank The Tortoise and Rocky and Ginger.

Speaking about the collaboration, Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy David Gold said: “This set of stamps will surely bring a smile to everyone’s face. These instantly recognisable, iconic animated characters have found a place in our hearts. We are certain they will add a bit of joy to any envelope.”

In addition to the eight stamps, an exclusive miniature sheet, created specially for Royal Mail by Aardman, will also be available.

On the miniature sheet, Wallace and Gromit celebrate four of their favourite cracking moments by displaying them proudly on their wall, in their recognisable home at 62 West Wallaby Street.

Key moments on the stamps include those from Wallace and Gromit animated short films A Matter Of Loaf And Death, The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and A Grand Day Out.

Aardman’s managing director Sean Clarke said: “We are delighted to partner with Royal Mail to celebrate some of our most iconic characters in this colourful and fun-packed stamps series.

“We have had the pleasure of creating these films featuring these much-loved characters over the last 40 years, so it is a real honour for the studio to receive this royal stamp of approval.

“It’s a true testament to all the hard work that goes into making these productions and we are sure that our fans will enjoy them.”

Aardman was founded by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, who began their animation partnership while at school when they created a character called Aard-man, which the BBC bought for its Vision On series and marked the creation of Aardman Animations.

Lord, 67, and Sproxton, 68, began to gain widespread recognition after creating the now-highly recognisable shape-shifting clay character Morph for the BBC’s Take Hart series.

Aardman are also responsible for creating some of the most successful stop-motion films, including Chicken Run, after British animator Nick Park joined the company.

The Aardman collaboration stamps are now available to pre-order from www.royalmail.com/aardman and will be on general sale from October 19.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in