INDIANA – In a whimsical twist that might surprise residents of a pineapple under the sea, SpongeBob SquarePants and his aquatic friends are now featured on a new set of commemorative Forever stamps, announced the U.S. Postal Service. While SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Mr. Krabs, and Squidward Tentacles might find traditional postage a soggy affair, these stamps are designed less for mailing and more for collecting, or perhaps, for a quick dose of cheer.
The beloved characters from Nickelodeon’s long-running animated series, including even Sandy Cheeks in her diving suit, grace the vibrant new stamps. Despite the practical challenges of snail mail in Bikini Bottom – where even Gary the Snail might be the most likely recipient – the USPS acknowledges that the primary appeal lies in their collectibility and the instant pick-me-up offered by SpongeBob’s iconic yellow, smiling, gap-toothed face.
Fans eager to get their hands on these unique stamps can attend a special release event in New York City’s Times Square on August 1st, from 8 to 10 a.m. Eastern. The event is free to participate in, though the stamps themselves will be available for purchase. A sheet of 16 stamps will cost $12.48, making each stamp 78 cents – a notable increase from the 40 cents they would have cost when “SpongeBob SquarePants” first premiered 26 years ago.
USPS art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps, drawing inspiration directly from Nickelodeon’s artwork. He is expected to be on hand at the Times Square event for autographs.
The colorful world of Bikini Bottom first captivated audiences in May 1999, with the show’s full run beginning two months later. The series was the brainchild of Stephen Hillenburg, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 57 after a battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Fittingly, Hillenburg was a marine biology teacher in Southern California before transitioning to animation, where he created the vibrant teaching tools and illustrated stories that eventually evolved into the beloved characters of “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
For the record, despite the initial humorous premise, stamps have made an appearance in Bikini Bottom. In the Season 13 episode “Patrick the Mailman,” Patrick delivers a letter to SpongeBob, humorously asking, “Do you know where this Spon-gee-Boob Squir-pa-Nants lives?” before making SpongeBob his postal pal.
Whether for a collector’s album or a moment of joy, these new SpongeBob SquarePants Forever stamps offer a delightful piece of pop culture history.
