Earlier this month, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) celebrated the legacy of the Walt Disney Studios’ ink and paint department by dedicating a sheet of 20 Forever stamps featuring 10 classic Disney villains.
Each stamp showcases one of 10 classic Disney villains, including:
- Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty);
- Honest John (Pinocchio);
- Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians);
- Captain Hook (Peter Pan);
- the Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland);
- Lady Tremaine (Cinderella);
- Ursula (The Little Mermaid);
- the Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs);
- Gaston (Beauty and the Beast); and
- Scar (The Lion King).
“The Postal Service is highlighting the Disney Villains and the pioneering spirit of the Ink and Paint Department that brought many of these characters to life,” said U.S. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan, who was joined by Disney officials at the July 15 dedication ceremony. “These Forever stamps are our way of saying Disney Villains will forever entertain us and serve as a tribute Disney’s artistry and storytelling skill.”
A set of first-day covers was also released as part of the new issue.
The words “USA” and “Forever” appear in the top-right corner or bottom-right corner of each stamp, and the name of the classic villain as well as the movie in which the character appears runs along the left edge. The selvage features the Queen from Snow White standing in front of an ornate background. The reverse side of the sheet includes drawings of the 10 villains alongside a quote from each character.
ART OF ANIMATION
Beginning in 1923, as part of Walt Disney Animation Studios, the ink and paint department helped to create classic animated films. Its artists brought life to countless memorable characters, including many iconic Disney villains. It was also one of the first groups of its kind.
Art director Derry Noyes, of Washington, D.C., worked closely with Disney Creative Director David Pacheco as well as the ink and paint department team to design this new issue.
The Disney Villains Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current U.S. first-class mail service one-ounce price.
PHILATELIC PRODUCTS
All philatelic products for this stamp issue are listed below in USD.
| Disney Villains Stamp Pane | $9.80 |
| Press Sheet With Die-Cut | $58.80 |
| DCP Keepsake (random cover) | $11.95 |
| First Day Cover Set of 10 | $9.30 |
| Digital Colour Postmark Set of 10 | $16.40 |
| Ceremony Program | $6.95 |
| Framed Art (All Characters) | $39.95 |
| The Queen Framed Art | $29.95 |
| Honest John Framed Art | $29.95 |
| Lady Tremaine Framed Art | $29.95 |
| Queen of Hearts Framed Art | $29.95 |
| Captain Hook Framed Art | $29.95 |
| Maleficent Framed Art | $29.95 |
| Cruella De Vil Framed Art | $29.95 |
| Ursula Framed Art | $29.95 |
| Gaston Framed Art | $29.95 |
| Scar Framed Art | $29.95 |