WASHINGTON, D.C.- According to most dictionaries, the word "friendship" means the quality or condition of being friends, a friendly relationship and friendliness or good will.  The U.S. Postal Service today 
unveiled four new commemorative postage stamps that celebrate friendship as portrayed by the Walt Disney studio, honoring some of the most beloved animated characters in the history of American entertainment.
  
The Art of Disney: Friendship stamps feature several world-famous friends: Goofy, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; Bambi and Thumper; Simba and his father, Mufasa; and Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio.  The Postal Service will issue the 37-cent, self-adhesive stamps next summer.

Soon, with the help of some famous friends, it will be easy for our customers to add a cheerful touch to their cards, letters and packages as they correspond with their own friends and loved ones or conduct business using the mail," said David Failor, executive director of Stamp Services for the Postal
Service.

Added Mary Beech, director, Franchise Management, Disney Consumer Products:  "The new postage stamps are a tremendous testament to the lasting popularity of Mickey Mouse and other beloved Disney characters like Bambi and Simba.  We are honored to be working with the United States Postal Service to release to consumers such a wonderful and endearing stamp program."

Mickey Mouse made his debut on Nov. 18, 1928, in the first synchronized sound cartoon, "Steamboat Willie."  With help from his pals, Goofy and the "fowl-tempered" Donald Duck, clever little Mickey quickly became an American icon.

A friend can make good times even more fun and make bad times more bearable.  In Walt Disney’s "Bambi" (1942), an energetic rabbit named Thumper becomes a lifelong friend to a young deer.  Thumper accompanies Bambi in both pleasurable pursuits, such as their winter adventures on ice, and in
adversity.
  
Our parents can be our best friends, as the cub Simba learns in "The Lion King" (1994) when his father, Mufasa, comes to his rescue after Simba is chased by hyenas.  Simba idolizes Mufasa and hopes to grow up to be just like him.

Sometimes, as in Walt Disney’s animated film classic, "Pinocchio" (1940), a friend acts as our conscience and keeps us out of trouble -- or, at least, tries to.  After he is magically brought to life, the wooden marionette Pinocchio is assisted by diminutive Jiminy Cricket in his effort to become a
real boy.

The Art of Disney: Friendship stamps feature illustrations by Disney artist Peter Emmerich.  David Pacheco from Walt Disney Art Classics was the art director for the stamps. This is the first of three stamp panes honoring the art of Disney to be issued by the Postal Service.  Celebration and romance are the themes for future stamps in this series.  Each year features four themed stamps, showcasing a breadth of quintessential Disney moments.