Gerry Anderson is the creator of the puppet characters from cult TV programmes such as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Stingray, that have thrilled millions of people since the 1960s.


FAB: The Genius of Gerry Anderson kicks off the 2011 Royal Mail Special Stamps programme in style as the issue contains the UK’s first ever ‘motion stamps’. A miniature sheet of four stamps has been specially printed so that when they are tilted back and forth the iconic opening sequence of Thunderbirds is played with each of the crafts launching: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!

The latest stamps celebrate the 50th anniversary of these ground-breaking programmes which began with Supercar in 1961. The programmes celebrated on the main issue of stamps are Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, Fireball XL5, Supercar and Stingray. Whilst the miniature sheet of ‘motion stamps’ features stamps showing Thunderbirds 4, Thunderbirds 3, Thunderbirds 2 and Thunderbirds 1.

Gerry Anderson said: “I feel incredibly proud that my work has been chosen to appear on a set of Royal Mail stamps and to see actual animation of the opening scenes of Thunderbirds appear on the motion stamps is really wonderful.”


Philip Parker, Royal Mail Stamps spokesperson, said: “Gerry Anderson’s ingenuity and inventiveness caused a sensation in the 1960s. We‘re delighted that 50 years on we are able to recognise and celebrate his work on our first stamp issue of 2011.

“It’s particularly fitting that his characters will once again be visiting millions of homes across the UK as they arrive through the nation’s letterboxes on letters and cards. And also that the dramatic 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, opening sequence is now a UK first through its appearance on our new motion stamps.”


The Gerry Anderson archive is represented by ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment which worked with Royal Mail to produce FAB: The Genius of Gerry Anderson.

For all the latest information on all Royal Mail Special Stamps launches and news, please follow RoyalMailStamps on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/RoyalMailStamps

Select stamp launch information and videos can be viewed on Royal Mail Special Stamps’ YouTube Channel at: www.youtube.com/user/RoyalMailStamps

(Just an FYI to those interested, I got a set of these in the mail and they’re amazing! Some of them even have motion capture lenticular scenes. I hope this are a big enough hit so I can see UFO on a stamp. Gay Ellis on a stamp, that would be the day I truly arrived….)

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