Sesamstraat postage stamps

The first Muppet-related stamps were issued in 1996 by the Netherlands to honor the 20th anniversary of Sesamstraat, the Dutch co-production of Sesame Street. Two different stamps were printed—a ƒ 0.70 stamp featuring Bert and Ernie, and a ƒ 0.80 stamp featuring Tommie, Ieniemienie and Pino's legs.They were designed by Lex van Pieterson and Bau Winkel. Both stamps were photographed by Laurent Linn, who later designed the 33¢ USA stamp of Big Bird as part of the 1999 se-tenant issue Celebrate the Century: 1970s.

In 2003, the Netherlands issued two more Sesamstraat stamps: one featuring an image of Sien Diels and the other an image of Tommie. Both stamps have a face value of € 0.39 and were printed in positions 5 and 10, respectively, as part of a se-tenant sheetlet of ten called tien persoonlijke postzegels (ten personalized postage stamps.)

The standard sheetlet of tien persoonlijke postzegels contains ten different stamps, including one each of Sien Diels and Tommie. However, for an added fee, postal customers could have a single, personalized image printed on all 10 stamps. These and other personalized postage stamps issued in the Netherlands and some other countries actually comprise two pieces separated by perforations the actual postage stamp, which contains information on the denomination and country of origin (in this case, the Netherlands), and a tag that serves a purely decorative purpose. Thus, the 2003 Sesamstraat stamps are valid for postage even if the tags (images of Sien Diels and Tommie) are removed.

In 2006 the Netherlands issued another €0.39 stamp to honor the 30th anniversary of Sesamstraat. The design was from: Antonie Johannes Beeke and the printing was done by: Joh. Enschedé Security Print. These stamps were printed in a se-tenant sheetlet of ten entitled KEUZE VAN NEDERLAND (Chosen by the Dutch) and were chosen by a (25.000) pole of the Dutch people from 15 other designs. The sheetlet contains two each of the Sesamstraat stamp which bears the images of Pino and Purk along with 2 each of 4 other stamps.

Designer Anton Beeke: " I could use the logo from the 30th year jubileum of Sesamstraat. The childeren are presented by the loose handwriting in the logo and in the print. And Pino and Purk are completing this composition. It isn't easy to make a clear message on that little space you have..."

In 2008 the Netherlands issued a €0.44 stamp and feature a picture of Ernie and Bert. These stamps are part of a series called de jaren: 50,60,70 nostalgie in postzegels (of the fifties, sixties, and seventies: nostalgia in postage stamps) and were printed in a sheetlet of ten identical stamps. The stamps could only be bought by subscribing to the complete series, which was spread over 3 years and comprised 75 different sheets of stamps, each having a different theme.

In 2009, the Netherlands issued a se-tenant sheetlet of three €0.44 stamps honoring Dikkie Dik, an orange cat featured in children's picture books by Jet Boeke. Dikkie Dik picture stories have been read aloud by cast members on Sesamstraat since March 8, 1978. The Dikkie Dik Postbox costs € 3,95 and conseals a stampsheet with three different Dikkie Dik post stamps and three different deluxe Dikkie Dik postcards with the same print.

The most recent Sesamstraat stamps were issued in 2011 with the new mark on it. Stamps in the Netherlands now showing a 1 (€0,37) for values to 20 grams or 2 for values from 20 to 50 grams postages. The stamp features our grumpy and kind of posh meneer Aart. These stamps are part of a series called Ontdek 60 Jaar Televisie (Discover 60 years of Television) and were printed in a sheetlet of ten identical stamps. It was number 29 from 36 and came with an audiopen which played the show tunes when you pointed at it. The stamps could only be bought by subscribing to the complete series and comprised 36 different sheets of stamps, each having a different theme.