Factory Rights Crafts ‘Fred’ CardsFactory Rights Crafts ‘Fred’ Cards

Factory has announced a licensing deal with Woodmansterne to create a line of greeting cards inspired by the Rupert Fawcett cartoon property “Fred.”

The collection will be in color for the first time in “Fred’s” history. Woodmansterne’s new range of licensed greeting cards includes an initial line-up of 12 cards, which are available now in John Lewis and independent shops in the U.K. More designs – including special occasions, birthday and Christmas cards – will be launched later this year.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Woodmansterne in producing, for the first time, a range of colored ‘Fred’ cards,” says Anya Hollis, head, brand licensing at Factory Rights. “‘Fred’ has been a long-standing household favorite for 30 years and it’s great to be able to share the cartoons with fans both old and new.”

The “Fred” cartoons follow the surreal world of Fred and his wife Penelope and their ever-present black cat, Anthony. It was first created by Fawcett in 1989 and published in the Mid Week Newspaper from 1990-1992 and The Mail on Sunday from 1991-1995.

The success of the cartoon was later licensed for greeting cards. To date, sales of “Fred” cards have generated over nine million in sales in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, plus a bestselling range of merchandise which including 17 books.