On Thursday, August 7, 2008 the United States Postal Service released the fifth and final stamp sheet in the Art of Disney series.
With a ceremony celebration held in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, the new stamps were reveled in true Disney fashion. With representatives from the armed forces, our country’s colors were presented along with the singing of our National Anthem by the Disney Singers and Band.
Ed Grier, the President of the Disneyland Resort addressed the crowd, welcoming all to the First-Day-Of-Issue Ceremony. Ed Grier recognized the people responsible for creating this final issue of the Disney stamps; Peter Emmerick, Stamp Artist, Terrance McCaffrey, Manager, USPS Stamp Development and David Pacheco, Disney Designer.
Peter Emmerick is the talented artist for all 5 of the Art of Disney Commemorative Stamp series. The first four sets of stamps are in the top twenty best-selling stamps in the U.S.
Terrance McCaffrey is responsible for overseeing the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, stamp subject and design development. An artist in his own right, he has personally designed several U.S. postage stamps including Star Wars, Love Cherubs (2), and the $2.90 Priority Mail Eagle.
David Pacheco has been a Disney artist/animator for more than 25 years. During his first ten years David was an animator on several Disney films including “The Fox and the Hound”, “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” and “The Little Mermaid”. One of his favorite projects was the 1987 restoration of “lost” scenes for the 50th anniversary re-release of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”.
Ed then introduced Mike Spates, Chief of Staff, Office or the Postmaster General of Washington D.C. Mike is a 36-year postal veteran and reports to the Postmaster General serving as one of his primary advisors. Mike Spates had the honor of introducing Disney legend and “Imagineering Ambassador” Marty Sklar.
Marty began his career in public relations at Disneyland one month before the park opened in 1955, while still a student at UCLA. Marty is the only active employee who has participated in the opening of all 11 Disney parks around the world.
Marty introduced the first of four characters featured on the stamp sheets…. Steamboat Willie, the original Mouse! Followed by Pongo and pup, Mowgli and Baloo and last but not least, Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), and her fairy godmothers, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather.
Following the presentation, guests were allowed to purchase day-of-issue stamps in the Plaza Garden to the left of the Castle.
Customers can still order the “First-Day-of Issue Postmark by mail within 60 days. They can purchase the new stamped postcards at the Postal Store website at www.usps.com/shop, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, or at their local Post Office. Customers should address the cards to themselves or others, and place them in an envelope addressed to:
Disney Imagination Stamps
Postmaster
701 N. Loara Street
Anaheim, CA 92803-9998
After applying the first-day-of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the cards through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by October 6, 2008.
