For immediate release: 8 May 2012
Guernsey Stamps announces the release today of commemorative stamps to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, who was born in Portsmouth on 7 February 1812.
The six stamps depict some of George Cruikshank's original illustrations for Oliver Twist. Considered to be one of the greatest illustrators of his time, Cruikshank was one of the artists with whom Dickens personally collaborated.
From the earlier chapters of Oliver Twist the 36p stamp shows Mr. Gamfield, a chimneysweeper, who has agreed the sum of three pounds and ten to take Oliver as his apprentice. Seeing the terror on Oliver's face as he is about to sign the paperwork, the local magistrate spares him. A further illustration depicts charity boy Noah Claypole, a cowardly bully and sneaky character who mistreats Oliver and eventually joins Fagin's gang (47p).
Further illustrations include Oliver with The Artful Dodger and Charley Bates, who make Oliver polish their boots whilst trying to convince him to become a thief (48p); having been rescued for a second time, Fagin and Oliver's evil half-brother Monks track Oliver down to the Maylies' pastoral residence, appearing suddenly before the boy's eyes before disappearing (52p); and Nancy meets Rose Maylie and Mr Brownlow, who had earlier taken Oliver in, on London Bridge. A suspicious Fagin has ordered Noah to spy on Nancy (61p).
From the final chapters of the book, and completing the stamp set, is the image of Oliver and Rose Maylie visiting the old village church where, within the altar, stands a white marble tablet which bears the word 'Agnes': mother of Oliver and sister of Rose Maylie (65p).
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: - "We are delighted to be able to use George Cruikshank's original illustrations from Oliver Twist to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, who remains one of the most celebrated authors of all time."
-End release-
Press enquiries to:
Sarah Amies, pr consultant, 01484 687040/07811 133973
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, 01481 733524
Notes to editors:-
Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth on 7 February 1812. He spent his childhood in the busy seaside towns of Portsmouth and Chatham. His parents, John and Elizabeth Dickens, lived beyond their means and, when finances became desperate, the family moved to London where they were pursued by debt collectors. In 1824, John Dickens was arrested for debt and sent to prison where, in an arrangement typical of debtors' prisons, all of the family moved in with him. However, Charles, who was 12, lived outside in rented rooms and was sent to work in a boot blacking factory where he suffered horrific conditions. The experience left its mark on Charles, which can be seen through his fictional writings in David Copperfield and Great Expectations.
Considered to be one of the greatest illustrators of his time, George Cruikshank (1792 - 1878) came from a family of artists. At the height of his fame as a caricaturist, the publisher John Macrone (1809-37), suggested that Dickens' sketches should be put together in a book, illustrated by Cruikshank. The result was Sketches by Boz, which was published in 1836.
The following year the first instalment of Dickens' second novel Oliver Twist appeared in the magazine Bentley's Miscellany, which he edited at that time.
Dickens died at his house, Gad's Hill Place, near Rochester in Kent on 9 June 1870, at the age of 58, leaving his novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood unfinished. He is buried in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey in London.
Specifications:
Date of issue: 8 May 2012
Designer: Bridget Yabsley
Printer: Österreichische Staatsruckerei GmbH (OeSD)
Value: 36p, 47p, 48p, 52p, 61p, 65p
Process: Offset Lithography
Stamp size: 30mm deep x 31.625mm wide
Paper: 110gsm Unwatermarked / PVA Adhesive
Perforation: 14 x 14
Cylinder: A