Disney Studio’s Ink & Paint Department to be Celebrated on

Disney Studio’s Ink & Paint Department to be Celebrated on Forever Stamps Featuring Disney Villains Tomorrow

Anaheim, CA, July 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tomorrow, the U.S. Postal Service will celebrate the rich legacy of the Walt Disney Studio’s Ink & Paint Department by dedicating a sheet of 20 Forever stamps featuring 10 classic Disney Villains. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan will be joined by Disney officials in dedicating the stamps.

The Disney Villains Forever stamps will be dedicated at 1:30 p.m. PDT July 15, during D23 Expo 2017, Disney’s ultimate fan event at the Anaheim Convention Center, Center Stage. The public is encouraged to share the news on social media using the hashtags #DisneyVillainStamps and #DisneyStamps. The stamps may be pre-ordered now at usps.com/shop for delivery shortly after the July 15 issuance.

“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 Brennan. “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.”

Walt Disney Studios Animation Research Library and Ink & Paint Department Managing Director Mary Walsh is scheduled to join Brennan at the dedication. Disney Consumer Products Internal Communications Director Jim Babcock will serve as master of ceremonies.

“The Disney Ink & Paint artists, who hand crafted the cels from which these stamps were produced, are thrilled and honored to have been asked to participate in such a fun and unique creative project with the USPS,” said Walsh.

Each stamp showcases one of 10 classic Disney Villains set against a blue background:

First row, from left: the Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Honest John (Pinocchio), Lady Tremaine (Cinderella), the Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland) and Captain Hook (Peter Pan);

Second row, from left: Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), Cruella De Vil (One Hundred and One Dalmatians), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Gaston (Beauty and the Beast) and Scar (The Lion King).

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 and the movie in which the character appears runs along the left edge.

The Art of Animation

Beginning in 1923, as part of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney’s Ink & Paint Department helped create classic animated films. Its artists brought life to countless memorable characters, including many iconic Disney Villains. One of the first groups of its kind, Disney’s Ink & Paint Department was yet another stop on the road to creating an animated film.

Art director Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, worked closely with Disney Creative Director, David Pacheco and the team at Walt Disney Studio’s Ink and Paint Department to design this issuance.

The Disney Villains from the Walt Disney Studio’s Ink & Paint Department stamps are being issued as Forever stamps that are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail service 1-ounce price.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – DISNEY VILLAINS FOREVER STAMPS

USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by Sept. 15, 2017.

Ordering First-Day Covers

The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic, online at usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724.

Customers may request a free issue of USA Philatelic at usps.com/philatelic, by calling 800-782-6724, or by writing to:

U.S. Postal Service
USA Philatelic Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows, by item number:

475400 Disney Villains Stamp Pane $9.80

475406 Press Sheet With Die-Cut $58.80

475410 DCP Keepsake (random cover) $11.95

475416 First Day Cover Set of 10 $9.30

475421 Digital Color Postmark Set of 10 $16.40

475430 Ceremony Program $6.95

475424 Framed Art (All Characters) $39.95

475450 The Queen Framed Art $29.95