Initially published in 1999 as a 32-page hardback, aimed at readers aged three to seven, the story was only about 700 words long and written in rhyming couplets. With later paperback and board book editions, it became an international best-seller.
More than 14 million copies have been sold, with translations into 81 languages. A sequel, The Gruffalo’s Child, was published in 2004, and the original story was turned into an animated short film in 2009.
The set of six counter-sheet stamps has designs based on the book illustrations, mirroring the original tale and inscribed with brief extracts from the text. Its two se-tenant strips of three work as a chronological storyboard, if you consider the £1.60 values first and the 1st class values second.
Scheffler was commissioned by Royal Mail to create a brand new illustration for the accompanying miniature sheet, which brings together all the characters in a composite artwork.
Designed by the Rose agency, the issue was printed in litho by International Security Printers, the individual stamps in sheets of 60 divided into two panes of 30.
£1.60 A MOUSE TOOK A STROLL
A mouse journeys into the deep, dark wood, only to meet a series of potential predators. He intimidates them in turn by inventing a story about the Gruffalo, a creature which is a figment of his imagination.
£1.60 ROASTED FOX!
The mouse avoids being eaten by a fox by claiming to be meeting the Gruffalo.
Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Stamp Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av Stamp Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Ship Of State
Recess-printed, lithographed, typographed and overprinted, the attractive Lakatoi issues of British New Guinea and Papua are a complex series with myriad varieties
The Finest Cuts For This Year's Christmas Fare
Royal Mail’s Christmas stamps, released on November 5, take a religious approach this year, featuring classy biblical scenes created by paper-cut artists Hari & Deepti.
Roaring Success?
The first stamp issue for Kenya, Uganda & Tanganyika in 1935 might have united three postal administrations, but its design and printing were far from uniform
Man Of Peace
Karl bickel not only transformed and rejuvenated Swiss stamp design in the mid-20th century but also built a monument to peace in his spare time
‘Oh Help! Oh No! It's A Gruffalo!'
A Royal Mail stamp issue on October 10 marked the 20th anniversary of the publication of The Gruffalo, the popular children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
Day Of Reckoning
However painstakingly compiled, your collection is destined to be broken up and recycled. It’s not a question of if, but when, and how?
Beasts Of Burden
Animals harnessed for postal purposes have come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the choices and some of the scenarios might surprise you
King And Kaiser
Johann Kaiser engraved only three stamp designs, but they were the first issues of the Netherlands and Dutch colonies, so his place in philatelic history is secure
Whisper Of Wilberforce
A centenary with particular resonance for Sierra Leone inspired one of the finest colonial issues of the 1930s, even if the key protagonist was barely acknowledged
Try, Try Again
With the rugby World Cup currently underway in Japan, what better time to investigate the growing potential for a rugby union thematic collection?
