André Franquin : 2024 France

2024-Jan-29

France honored André Franquin (1924-1997), creator of Gaston Lagaffe. Gaston appeared in 1957 in the Franco-Belgian comics magazine Spirou.The stamp shows a self-portrait that appeared in Bon Pur – dessins de famille. Belgin born artist André Franquin's characters also appeared on Belgium stamps in 2008 Spirou and Fantasio and 2017 Gaston

Laurel and Hardy

Laurel and Hardy were a comedy team from 1927 to 1955, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957). Starting their career as a team in the silent film era, they transitioned easily to the new talking pictures and became internationally famous for their slapstick comedy. Laurel's character was clumsy and childlike; Hardy's was domineering and genteel, but both were inseparable friends. Their theme song, known variously as "The Cuckoo Song", "Ku-Ku", or "The Dance of the Cuckoos" (by Hollywood composer T. Marvin Hatley) was heard over their films' opening credits, and became as identified with them as their derby hats.

1991 US Comedians issue - Gillcraft cachet

Stepex '91 Hal Roach cachet

They appeared as a team in 107 films, starring in 32 short silent films, 40 short sound films,and 23 full-length feature films. 

1947 Hollywood Starstamps

Stan Laurel was part of the Royal Mail 1991 Smilers issue

A panel from a “Laurel and Hardy” story for Film Fun published in 1938

Myths and Legends - Royal Mail : 2025

Royal Mail celebrates mythical creatures and legendary figures from different regions of the UK, including Blodeuwedd (Wales); the Loch Ness Monster (Scotland); Beowulf and Grendel (England); Black Shuck (East Anglia); Selkie (Orkney & Shetland); Cornish Piskies (Cornwall); Fionn mac Cumhaill (Northern Ireland); and Grindylow (Yorkshire/Lancashire). Artist Adam Simpson’s beautiful and evocative illustrations bring to life these fabled figures of folklore in vibrant, enchanting detail. 

Grindylows are supernatural creatures that appear in the folklore of England, most notably the Lancaster area. They are described as diminutive humanoids with scaly skin, a greenish complexion, sharp claws and teeth, and long, wiry arms with lengthy fingers at the end. They are said to dwell in ponds and marshes waiting for unsuspecting children, which they grab with their shockingly strong grip, and then drag under the surface of the waters. Grindylows have been used as shadowy figures to frighten children away from pools, marshes, or ponds where they could drown.

Beowulf is an Old English poem, an epic in the tradition of Germanic heroic legend consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines, contained in the Nowell Codex. The protagonist Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, king of the Danes, whose great hall, Heorot, is plagued by the monster Grendel. Beowulf kills Grendel with his bare hands, then kills Grendel's mother with a giant's sword that he found in her lair.

Myths and Legends - Ireland : 2012

Children of Lir: Bodb gave one of his daughters, Aoibh, to Lir in marriage. agreeing that he would yield the lordship, and form an alliance—ending strife.

Aoibh bore Lir four children: one girl, Fionnghuala, and three sons, Aodh and twins, Fiacra and Conn. After the birth of the twins, Aoibh died, causing great grief to Lir.  Bodb then sent another of his daughters, Aoife, to marry Lir.

Aoife became jealous of the affection given to the four stepchildren, and she feigned illness for around a year. One day, she set out in her chariot with the four children, with design to kill them, and called her entourage to slay them, stating that because of them she had lost Lir's love, and promising them rich rewards. However, they would not help, so she drew a sword, but was not able to follow through with the act. Next she took them to Loch Dairbhreach and made them bathe, but once in the water, she cast a spell of metamorphosis in order to transform them into four white swans.

Deirdre of the Sorrows illustrates the legendary love story of Naoise and Deirdre and the jealous rage this caused in Conchubar mac Nessa. The story is one of Ireland’s classic tragedies where the pair flee to safety in Scotland but are subsequently tricked into returning to Ireland where Naoise ends up being killed by Conchubar. Stricken with grief, Deirdre then kills herself as well.

The Salmon of Knowledge: There once was a salmon that was extremely elusive and contained all the knowledge of the world. Whoever tasted the salmon first would immediately absorb all of the fishes knowledge. And so, an ancient poet and philosopher, Finegas, set off to catch the fish with his servant Fionn. Finegas spent seven years trying to catch the fish and eventually got him! He gave the fish to his servant Fionn for preparation and cooking. While cooking the fish, Fionn burnt his thumb and sucked it to relieve the pain. In that instant, Fionn absorbed all of the knowledge of the world much to Finegas’ dismay! 

Irish Warrior Cú Chulainn (Setanta): The stamp illustrates the young Setanta earning his name Chu Chulainn (the Hound of Culann) Chulainn is an Irish warrior hero and demigod in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore.

Moomins : 1994 Finland

1994-Jan-27

The Moomins are the central characters in a series of novels, short stories, picture books, and a comic strip by the Finnish writer and illustrator Tove Jansson 

Beast of Gévaudan - France : 2024

2024 France - Beast of Gévaudan designed by Christophe Laborde-Balen. Commemorating the man-eating creature that terrorized the Gévaudan region, in the Margeride Mountains of south-central France between 1764 and 1767.

Legendaires : 2016 France

 The Legendaries is a comic book series created in 2004 by Patrick Sobral and published by Delcourt. It is set in a world called Alysia. The Legendaries are five heroes who, in an attempt to stop an evil sorcerer named Darkhell from using the Stone of Jovénia, one of six magical stones used to create the world of Alysia, were unable to keep it from shattering, causing everyone, themselves included, to revert to childhood. Blamed by the people of Alysia for the "Jovénia Incident", the Legendaries split up, only to be reunited by their erstwhile leader Danael in an attempt to undo the spell and restore their adulthood.

Mickey Mouse - Steamboat Willie

The First Mickey Mouse cartoon enters public domain (Steamboat Willie (1928); Walt Disney 1901–1966; Ub Iwerks 1901–1971) 

The Copyright Act ensures that its protections extend to creative works even after the death of the author. As of 2024-Jan-01, Steamboat Willie (Mickey Mouse) an iconic American cartoon has now entered the public domain. The character was first introduced to audiences (along with girlfriend Minnie) in the 1928 black and white animated short film “Steamboat Willie,” directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks.

Terry and the Pirates : 1995 Comic Strip Classics

1995-Oct-01 Boca Raton FL

Terry and the Pirates® Milton Caniff (1907-1988) Caniff's artwork looked photographic; his characters spoke realistic dialogue; and readers identified with their personalities. Mood, evocation, atmosphere were Caniff's trademarks. The strip ran 1934-1973. ©Tribune Media Services, Inc.

 

Three stamp set was a premium from the Quaker Oats Co. Anyone who entered a bicycle contest sponsored by Quaker received the stamp set in the mail. This is a complete set of three stamps--Terry, Burma and Pat Ryan, with the original tab

Terry and the Pirates' Dragon Lady by George Wunder - 1947

George Wunder (1912-1987) illustrated Terry and the Pirates, replacing Caniff in 1946 when he left. Wunder continued on the strip until 1973, at which time it was cancelled.

Alex Toth : 1928-2006

 

Alex Toth was one of the most influential artists in American comics. He ranked Dan Spiegle among his main graphic influences. 

There are many hand-drawn envelopes and post cards from Alex Toth's correspondence found on eBay and auction sites...

While still at school, he began his career at the age of 15, working in the comic book field through Steve Douglas' Famous Funnnies shop, illustrating true stories for Heroic magazine.  Shelly Mayer hired him to work at National/DC Comics, from 1947 to 1952. working on superhero stories featuring 'The Flash', 'Dr. Mid-Nite', 'The Atom' and 'Green Lantern'.

Toth also worked with Warren Tufts on a daily newspaper strip called 'Casey Ruggles'. In 1952. Standard Comics, working on crime, war and romance comics. During his military service in Japan (1954-56), he did a weekly adventure strip called 'Jon Fury' for the base paper Depot Diary. 1960, Toth became art director for the 'Space Angel' television series. He worked as a storyboard and design artist on realistic Hanna-Barbera shows during most of the 1960s and 1970s. In addition, he illustrated and wrote his own stories for the Warren magazines Eerie, Creepy and The Rook, including 'Bravo! for Adventure', starring the character 'Jesse Bravo'.

Lambiek Comiclopedia

Lum & Abner : 1936 Pine Ridge AR

1936 Waters AR changed it's name to Pine Ridge AR

Lum and Abner was an American network radio comedy program created by Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards) and Norris Goff (Abner Peabody) that was produced from 1931 to 1954.

As well as inspiring the program and its characters, Pine Ridge, Arkansas is also home to the Lum and Abner Museum, which opened in the 1970s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Negotiations between Ethan C. Nobles of firstarkansasnews.net, the Chester Lauck family and cartoonist Donnie Pitchford resulted in a new comic strip series based on the classic radio programs and its characters. Beginning June 5, 2011, Lum and Abner officially began appearing in a "Sunday strip" format with a new installment each Sunday. Comic Strip

Hot Stuff - Red Devil AK

1995-Oct-31 Red Devil AK

Red Devil is a census-designated place (CDP) in Bethel Census Area, Alaska, United States. As of the 2020 census, Red Devil had a population of 22. Their post office was founded in 1957. The village was named after the Red Devil Mine, established in 1921 by Hans Halverson when numerous mercury (quicksilver) deposits were discovered

Hot Stuff - created by Warren Kremer for Harvey Comics

Catalog of Postmarks

Disney - Mickey Mouse : Football

1934-Pasadena CA - Tournament of Roses

The Pigskin Classic was a season-opening college football game played at Anaheim Stadium from 1990 until 1994, and continued from 1995 to 2002 at various stadiums. It was initially created as a west-coast counterpart of the Kickoff Classic and hosted by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Laurel & Hardy first day cover - Collins hand-painted cachet