Coolabi describes Bagpuss as a brand that captures hearts and minds across the world as its 50th anniversary is celebrated with range of collectibles and events.
In 2024, Bagpuss will celebrate his 50th birthday, and international media group and rights owner Coolabi has announced a range of collectible products from commemorative 50ps and stamps, to plush and crafts, to mark the moment.
Just thirteen episodes of the iconic Smallfilms animation were created by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate, which live on in the hearts of the British public. The remastered show was re-released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2023 by Fabulous Films, a long standing UK/US distributor specialising in classic and cult television, and is available to stream on Britbox and ITVX, plus iTunes, Amazon and more.
To mark the moment, leading distributors of collectible coins and stamps, The Westminster Collection, will be releasing a brand new collection of five 50p coins in base metal and sterling silver. The reverse of each will feature one of the characters from the show, each with a relevant quote that fans of the show will remember dearly.
Guernsey Post will issue a set of four commemorative stamps, on the 25th July, for the island of Alderney, which is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a Crown Dependency. The stamps will feature Bagpuss and his friends and will carry King Charles III’s Royal Cypher. The range of collectibles will include souvenir sheets, first day covers and a presentation pack.
Rainbow Designs has launched a new range of Bagpuss plush toys, including a brightly coloured Yawning Soft Toy that lets out a big yawn upon squeezing his head.
Bagpuss – The 50th Anniversary Edition, is a special edition Bagpuss exclusive to Danbury Mint. Available to pre-order now, this limited edition piece ships in April 2024.
Practical Publishing will be releasing a Bagpuss collection available at CraftStash, featuring cutting dies, printed papers and toppers that will allow card makers and crafters to create inspirational projects whilst capturing the nostalgia and fun of Bagpuss.
Fran Huxley, Coolabi Group, said: “Bagpuss is a charming, quintessentially British brand that captures the hearts and minds of people across the world. We are delighted to wish Smallfilms’ magical saggy old cloth cat a very happy 50th Anniversary and to have such a wonderful range of collectibles out this year to mark this lovely occasion.”
The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge is hosting The Smallfilms Gallery, renamed in honour of the studio, a family gallery showcasing work by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate who created their iconic children’s programmes from their studio near Canterbury. The exhibition features the original Bagpuss and many of the original film props.
As he enters his 50th year, Bagpuss continues his role as mascot to Hospices of Hope, the only UK charity dedicated to supporting hospice care in South and East Europe. He has held this role since 2002, when Oliver Postgate donated Bagpuss’ ‘pocket money’ to fund a specialist children’s wing at its Romanian partner hospice. Hospices of Hope celebrates Bagpuss’ birthday with a range of events including the Bagpuss Bash, a Bagpuss Bikeathon, family walks and more.
Emily Firmin, the daughter of Peter Firmin, who features in the show, commented: “Who would have believed that Bagpuss would still be such a super star 50 years later? I’m very proud of the fact that Bagpuss has supported The Hospices of Hope since 2002 and I will be visiting its hospital in Romania this year to paint a mural with some of the children.”
