Designing Penny: The Racing Pigeon with a Flair for “tea”
Penny the Pigeon
Every community has that one friend who seems to know everything before anyone else and in Pippin’s Park Buddies, that role belongs to Penny.
Penny is a racing pigeon through and through. Unlike Pippin, who prides himself on being a delivery pigeon with a heart for connection, Penny is all about speed, confidence, and style. She loves flying as fast as possible and is never afraid to throw down a wager to prove it. If there’s a race happening in the park skies, chances are Penny has already crossed the finish line with time to spare.
But Penny is more than just quick wings. She’s reliable, unapologetically herself and has a powerful strut that makes every entrance memorable. Always dressed with her fluffy pink bow: an accessory that holds emotional significance (for the lore), Penny carries herself with a blend of charm and confidence.
Behind that stylish flair lies a mischievous secret: Penny doubles as the park’s gossip courier and head of the local drama council. What most birds don’t know is that this “hobby” has actually made her one of the most effective spies in the neighborhood. Her catchphrase says it all:
“I dont “spread” rumors, I plant lore”
Penny by _Airow: minted as a stamp
We imagined Penny not just as a character, but as a counterbalance to Pippin. Where he embodies connection, deliberation and believes in living life slow, she embodies speed, confidence and independence. Together, Penny and Pippin highlight the deeper themes Lettre.app stands for: deep and meaningful friendship, community and love. In fact, the two (among others) are also key mascots for Lettre’s Lonely Hearts Club, an exclusive feature available for members of the Pippin Supporters Club; that reimagines penpalling as something more -> a playful pseudo-dating app where shared letters can spark something truly special.
And of course, no Penny story would be complete without one of her legendary feats: she once managed to attend three rival birthday parties on the same day, all while keeping her reputation intact. That’s the kind of pigeon energy we love to see.
Penny concept sketches: credits to _Airow
With Penny being a part of the Pippin’s Park Buddies collection of exclusive stamps, we’re excited to celebrate her role as a bold, witty, and endlessly entertaining character in the world of Lettre. She’s proof that every park needs a little speed, a little drama and a whole lot of personality.
Penny makes an appearance on one of the “rare” stamps featuring one of our year 1 posters for The Pippin Supporters Club
💌 Finally, we’d like to take a moment to thank all the members of the Pippin Supporters Club. It’s thanks to your contributions that Lettre can remain independent, free for everyone else, and continue building our cozy corner of the internet. Every exclusive “freebie” we create is our way of showing gratitude for your support -> you make all of this possible.
