The Museum of Brands is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Mr Men and Little Miss characters with the launch of a new discovery trail and series of children’s make-and-take creative activities this summer.
The trail will not only look to spark children’s curiosity and evoke nostalgic memories for grown-ups, but will also offer visitors the chance to see original sketches by Adam Hargreaves, the Royal Mint commemorative coin collection, and limited edition Mr Men Little Miss Royal Mail postage stamps.
First created in 1971 by Roger Hargreaves, Mr Men and Little Miss have successfully crossed the generations, enjoyed for their self-expression, colour, simplicity, and humour. What started out in answer to a question posed by Hargreaves’ son, Adam: ‘what does a tickle look like?’ the Mr Men and Little Miss brand has grown into a global entity.
The Museum of Brands celebrates our past through our throwaway heritage with displays of hundreds of products full of memory and meaning. Together they offer insight into how our lives and society have evolved since Victorian times – from the changing role of women to the impact of war and technology; or from the passing of the domestic servant to the ever changing
choices of food and toys, as well as the revolution in shopping habits over the last 200 years.
Robert Opie, founder of the Museum of Brands, said: “During the past hundred years, children’s character merchandise has become increasingly popular, from Felix the Cat that arrived in the 1920s and Mickey Mouse in the 1930s to the likes of Postman Pat in the 1980s. This year we celebrate 50 years of the genius of the Mr. Men characters.”
Adam Hargreaves, Mr. Men Little Miss author, added: “My dad, Roger Hargreaves, created the Mr. Men series in 1971 and it’s a great accolade to his idea that the Museum of Brands has chosen to feature some of the merchandise that started filling up our home 50 years ago. Through the generations, the Mr. Men and Little Miss have been seen on all kinds of products from Mr. Chatterbox radios to Mr. Grumpy Easter eggs.”
Alastair McHarrie, Sanrio’s licensing director, said: “The inclusion of iconic Mr. Men Little Miss products and memorabilia in the Museum of Brands demonstrates how these colorful characters are now part of the UK’s pop collective imagination, alongside many historical brands. We are delighted and honored with this collaboration on the occasion of our 50th anniversary.”
The Mr. Men Little Miss Discovery Trail will launch at the Museum of Brands on 23 July and runs until 10 September.
