U.S. #4680

2012 45¢ Toy Story 2
Mail a Smile

Issue Date: June 1, 2012
City: Orlando, FL
Quantity: 25,000,000
Printed By: Avery Dennison
Printing Method: Photogravure
Color: multicolored

As Toy Story creator John Lasseter made his way through...  more

U.S. #4680

2012 45¢ Toy Story 2
Mail a Smile

Issue Date: June 1, 2012
City: Orlando, FL
Quantity: 25,000,000
Printed By: Avery Dennison
Printing Method: Photogravure
Color: multicolored

As Toy Story creator John Lasseter made his way through the airport with his family, he found an unexpected inspiration to create a sequel to Pixar’s first movie.

Lasseter was touched to see a young boy clutching his Woody doll and excitedly showing his father. At that point he realized the character no longer belonged to him, but to all the fans as well. Lasseter committed himself to producing a great film for that boy and everyone around the world who loved the characters.

To begin the project, Lasseter considered what a toy would find most upsetting, and how it would feel if it was no longer played with. Many ideas that were left out of the first film were used in Toy Story 2, including the obsessive toy collector. Inspiration for Woody’s Roundup came from popular 1950s children’s shows Howdy Doody and Hopalong Cassidy. 

While driving the toys around the store, Tour Guide Barbie says, “back in 1995 short-sighted retailers did not order enough dolls to meet demand.” This was a joke, because toy sellers did the same thing when Toy Story was released, not expecting the movie to do well.

When cowgirl Jessie first meets Woody, she exclaims “Sweet mother of Abraham Lincoln!” In fact, Lincoln’s mother was Nancy Hanks, a blood relative of Tom Hanks, who provided the voice for Woody.