U.S. 2011 Disney-Pixar set in demand inside and outside hobby

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

Relatively recent U.S. forever stamp issues with se-tenant (side-by-side) designs are one of the most active parts of the U.S. stamp market. Such issues are usually sought after and collected as full mint panes.

On Aug. 19, 2011, the U.S. Postal Service issued a set of five nondenominated (44¢) Characters from Disney-Pixar Films forever stamps (Scott 4553-4557). The stamps were printed by photogravure in sheets of 80 that were divided into four panes of 20 for distribution and sale. The phosphor tagged self-adhesive stamps have gauge 10½ serpentine die cuts. The stamps were designed by Terrence W. McCaffrey and William J. Gicker and were printed by Avery Dennison.

Pixar Animation Studios, based in Emeryville, Calif., is a film production company that has produced 28 films to date. All of these animated films feature CGI (computer-generated images). The Pixar films are released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and are distributed through Walt Disney Pictures. Most of the films have had a worldwide box office earnings in the nine-figure range. Five of them have grossed more than $1 billion. None has cost more than $200 million to produce.

All of the characters featured in the stamp set are popular, but two of them are megastars who are featured in several films: Lightning McQueen from Cars and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.

The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values the mint pane of 20 at $30 against a current postage value of $14.60. The mint pane is in demand and is selling in the $18 to $25 price range. It is also an issue that has great appeal outside the confines of traditional stamp collecting. Buy it when you see it offered at the lower end of the price range. You’ll be glad you did.

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