Michael Bond's story of Paddington Bear has struck many chords with its readers down the years. For it's the tale of a bear orphaned by an earthquake and brought up by his Aunt Lucy. When she feels it's time to go to the Home for Retired Bears in Lima, she arranges for Paddington to stow away on a boat bound for England. He arrives at Paddington Station and sits forlornly by the left luggage office with a label round his neck which reads "PLEASE LOOK AFTER THIS BEAR. THANK YOU." It is then the Brown family who take him home. And so begins a famous story which has spoken to generations of readers, who recognise in it the fundamental need to belong to a family and community. After the Second World War Michael Bond, like many, knew refugees from war-torn Europe. Paddington and the character Mr Gruber are symbolic of this common human experience.
Paddington's charming, accident-prone character has created what Stephen Fry describes as a 'British institution.' So it's a great pleasure to celebrate Michael Bond's unique creation in this Album. If you turn to the thermoform you will meet Paddington in a familiar and timeless pose. He's wearing his favourite outfit a duffle coat and old bush hat. I'm sure you'll quickly identify them as you explore the thermoform. Paddington stands facing us, and with one paw to the left waves a marmalade sandwich in the air rather absent-mindedly. Also, on the left in the bottom corner is a tempting jar of orange marmalade. In the bottom right corner is Paddington's battered suitcase.