Gruffalo illustrator creates 2012 Xmas stamps

Axel Scheffler, the illustrator behind the children’s book The Gruffalo has provided the artwork for this year’s Royal Mail Christmas stamp issue.

The seven stamps, to be issued on 6 November, are inspired by traditional Christmas images, brought to life through the recognisable illustrations of Axel Scheffler, who has worked with author Julia Donaldson on a number of children’s books.

A Christmas robin perches on Santa’s hand on the 1st Class stamp, while a reindeer’s antlers take on the role of a Christmas tree for the 2nd Class image. The other stamps feature a snowman meeting a penguin (87p), a Christmas robin with a star decoration in his beak (£1.28), and on the £1.90 stamps, the cat and mouse set aside their normal differences to decorate the Christmas tree together.

Philip Parker, Royal Mail Stamps spokesperson, said: ‘We were delighted with the work produced by Alex, whose innocent and charming style set the perfect tone for this year’s stamps.’

For more information on this year's stamp schedule, visit our dedicated Royal Mail stamps 2012 page.

 
Stamp details:

Xmas stamps will go on sale on 6 November
Number of stamps: 7
Illustration: Axel Scheffler
Printer: De la Rue Security Print, gravure

The reindeer’s antlers are decorated like a Christmas tree

The reindeer’s antlers are decorated like a Christmas tree

The Christmas Robin bears a star decoration in his beak.

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