Peter Firmin
Peter Arthur Firmin (11 December 1928 – 1 July 2018) was an English artist, illustrator, and puppet maker. He co-founded the production company Smallfilms with Oliver Postgate, and together they created some of the most beloved children's television programmes in British history, including The Saga of Noggin the Nog, Ivor the Engine, Clangers, Bagpuss, and Pogles' Wood.
Life and career[edit]
Firmin was born on 11 December 1928 in Harwich, Essex. He displayed an early talent for art and pursued his studies at the Colchester School of Art in Colchester. After completing National Service in the Royal Navy, Firmin attended the Central School of Art and Design in London from 1949 to 1952. Following his formal education, he worked in various artistic fields, including stained glass design, illustration, and as a lecturer.
Firmin's collaboration with Oliver Postgate began while Firmin was teaching at the Central School of Art. Postgate sought an illustrator for a television story and approached Firmin, who agreed to the project despite the modest pay. Their partnership led to the formation of Smallfilms in 1958, which operated from a barn on Firmin's property in Blean, near Canterbury, Kent. Firmin created the sets, puppets, and backdrops for their programmes, often contributing to sound and visual effects during filming.
In addition to his work with Smallfilms, Firmin pursued other projects. In 1959, he and his wife, Joan, devised The Musical Box, a nursery rhyme programme for Associated-Rediffusion that utilised live cardboard animation and puppets. The programme was presented by Rolf Harris and later Wally Whyton.
Firmin’s contributions extended to other iconic puppets, including the creation of Ollie Beak, a feathered owl puppet for ITV's Smalltime, and the co-creation of Basil Brush in 1962 with Ivan Owen. Firmin crafted Basil’s original puppet from a real fox’s brush, giving the character its distinctive look and name.
Throughout his career, Firmin remained an active illustrator, producing books based on Smallfilms characters and other children’s literature. His work also encompassed illustrations for adult literature, such as Vita Sackville-West’s poetry and Oliver Postgate’s autobiography, Seeing Things. Later in life, he focused on producing engravings and linocuts.
Firmin’s artistry reached philatelic audiences when, in 1994, he provided an illustration for a British postage stamp featuring characters from Noggin the Nog. The stamp was part of a set celebrating British children’s literature and was accompanied by an advertising campaign featuring his work.
Personal life[edit]
Firmin married Joan, with whom he collaborated on The Musical Box and other creative projects. Together, they raised six daughters. Firmin’s family life and home in Blean provided the backdrop for much of his work, with his barn serving as the Smallfilms studio.
Firmin received numerous accolades for his contributions to art and children’s media. He was awarded an honorary MA by the University of Kent in 1987 and an honorary degree from the University of Essex in 2012. In 2011, Firmin was granted the Freedom of the City of Canterbury for his "outstanding work." His achievements were further recognised in 2014 when he received the BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2018, shortly before his death, Firmin’s work was celebrated in an exhibition titled Clangers, Bagpuss & Co, organised by the V&A Museum of Childhood at the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull. This retrospective highlighted the enduring impact of his creations on generations of viewers.
Firmin passed away on 1 July 2018 at the age of 89. His legacy lives on through his iconic creations, which continue to delight audiences and inspire new generations of artists and storytellers.