Thunderbirds stamps are go: Royal Mail puts Gerry Anderson's work in motion

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:18 AM on 11th January 2011

Royal Mail is honouring the work of puppeteer Gerry Anderson with a new set of special 'motion stamps' issued today.

Anderson created the characters from cult TV programmes such as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Stingray.

FAB: The Genius Of Gerry Anderson kicks off the 2011 Royal Mail Special Stamps calendar.

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Lift off: The work of Gerry Anderson is celebrated on a new set of Royal mail stamps

Lift-off: The work of Gerry Anderson is celebrated in a new set of Royal Mail stamps

'Incredibly proud': Anderson is delighted his work is being celebrated with the stamps

The programmes celebrated on the main issue of stamps are Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, Fireball XL5, Supercar and Stingray.

In addition, a miniature sheet of four 'motion' stamps has been specially printed which, when they are tilted back and forth, show the opening sequence of Thunderbirds, with each craft, 1-4, counting down to launch.

It is the first time the Royal Mail has issued such hi-tech stamps - created by a process called micro lenticular printing.

Motion stamps: This set of four creates an animation effect when tiled back and forth

Motion stamps: This set of four creates an animation effect when tilted back and forth

Futuristic: Anderson's work on the likes of Supercar fuelled the imagination

String of hits: Anderson's body of work also included Stingray

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.'

The latest stamps celebrate the 50th anniversary of Anderson's programmes which began with Supercar in 1961.

Philip Parker, from the Royal Mail, 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.'