Description: The artwork illustrates a scene from Mary Norton's beloved children's book, showing the diminutive characters Pod and Arrietty Clock embarking on an outdoor migration adventure. Pod carries a bulging sack over his shoulder while holding a bent needle tool, and Arrietty follows closely behind wearing a vibrant yellow dress while balancing a rolled-up red blanket. Accompanying them on their journey is an enormously scaled wild field mouse, which bounds forward on a leash crafted from a simple piece of household string. Inscribed vertically along the left margin is the commemorative text "1998 The Borrowers MARY NORTON". A gold silhouette profile of Queen Elizabeth II occupies the upper right corner, positioned directly above the large numeral "43" face value denomination.
Circa: 1998
Condition: MNH
Notes:
This captivating release belongs to a highly celebrated four-stamp set titled "Magical Worlds: Classic Fantasy Books for Children". The Royal Mail commissioned the distinguished British artist Peter Malone to illustrate the entire series, which specifically marked the dual centenaries of the passing of Lewis Carroll and the birth of C.S. Lewis.
The stamp represents a beautiful visual paradox; it features tiny literary "little people" who famously survive by recycling household trash, including using real postage stamps as large paintings on the walls of their miniature hidden homes.