If you don’t know who, or what, Ginger Meggs is, then today is just another day.
But for those Australians who can recall the much-loved waistcoat-wearing, cheeky redhead whose life was abound in adventures, this is a momentous date on the calendar.
Today, Tuesday 7th September, Australia Post released a set of three stamps celebrating 100 years of Ginger Meggs.
The images are the work of creator Jimmy Bancks, and subsequent illustrators James Kemsley and Jason Chatfield.
Created in the 1920’s, Ginger Meggs was a cartoon about the joys of boyhood spent in inner city suburbia.
The character of Ginger Meggs first appeared in Gladsome Gladys, with the comic strip soon renamed Us Fellers and then, in 1939, Ginger Meggs.
It is is Australia’s most widely syndicated comic strip, having appeared in 129 newspapers in 34 countries.
Australia Post Group Manager Philatelic Michael Zsolt said the stamp issue is a wonderful look at the evolution and longevity of one of Australia’s most recognisable characters.
“Ginger Meggs has been part of the Australian identity for generations, and comic strip readers around the world have looked forward to catching up on his everyday capers,” Mr Zsolt said.
Perth-born, New York–based cartoonist and comedian Jason Chatfield has illustrated Ginger Meggs since 2007 and said he was honoured to see the stamps dedicated to the beloved character.
“The team at Australia Post have done an incredible job of encapsulating Ginger’s spirit and the different artists’ interpretations over the past century,” he said.
“As the current custodian of Ginge, I am humbled that his 100th birthday falls under my tenure, and I’m grateful to Australia Post for taking such great care in celebrating him.”
The $1.10 stamps include Ginger Meggs playing cricket, with friends and at the fence.
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