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For almost 30 years Al Konetzni brought Disney's most beloved animated characters to life. He was the marketing genius behind many of the company's innovative toys, clothing, stationery, games and other merchandise.

Konetzni, who was named a Disney Legend by the company in 1999, got a phone call from Disney in Orlando asking him to unveil the U.S. Postal Service's newest stamp series, "The Art of Disney: Friendship," in Florida.

"The U.S. Postal service commended me for what I've done for them on the new stamp. I thought it was very nice," Konetzni said from his Bradenton home.

The new stamp series was developed to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Disney. It's the third time the company has been featured on U.S. stamps.

A stamp featuring Walt Disney surrounded by children was issued in 1968. Snow White appeared on a stamp in 1998.

The new stamps feature Bambi and Thumper in one, Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket on another.

Mufasa and Simba from "The Lion King" have their own stamp, and another features Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy.

Konetzni unveiled the stamps at the Palmetto Post Office. He also donated several autographed Disney drawings that were raffled to raise money for the North River Pregnancy Care Center.

"The U.S. Postal Service asked me to (participate), and I did it, so everybody's happy. It's for a good cause," Konetzni said.

At the Palmetto unveiling the Postal Service displayed poster-sized stamp renderings. Postal employees wore Micky Mouse hats and played Disney music while customers bought first-day-issued stamps.

Konetzni signed autographs and took pictures with fans. "The presence of having Mr. Konetzni attending made it a more special day for the customers," Postal service's Jean Shakas said.

Special guests at Palmetto's unveiling included Konetzni's wife, Adeline, Palmetto Post Office supervisor Steve Crews and Bradenton Postmaster Joseph R. Gerace.

"I think I'm the only Disney Legend in this part of the country," Konetzni said.

He was called an "idea man" and artist when he worked for Disney. Konetzni also coordinated the company's merchandise licensing.

Many of the products Konetzni created are highly collectable today. The most famous are the Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Pez candy dispensers.

The most revered item, and Konetzni's most famous design, was the Disney School Bus lunch box. It was the best selling lunch box in box in history.

Last year Konetzni incorporated the box into one of a "Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations" Micky Mouse anniversary statues that are touring the country.

Konetzni joined celebrities such as John Travolta, Jamie Lee Curtis, Annette Funicello, Tom Hanks and Shaquille O'Neal, who designed 75 unique Mickey statues.

"My wife and I were invited over to Walt Disney World when Michael Eisner (chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company) unveiled them," Konetzni said.

From there, Konetzni and other celebrities spent three days in Atlanta, Ga., signing autographs and displaying 15 of the statues in the Underground Atlanta shopping district.

Each statue is 6 feet tall and weighs 700 pounds. Sotheby's will auction the 75 statues in 2005. Proceeds will benefit charities chosen by each statue's designer.

Konetzni's statue will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "It's a good cause. It was an honor to work on the statue and design it after my lunch box," Konetzni said.

The statues will also travel to Portland, Disneyland in California, Washington, D.C., New York City, Houston, Texas, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas, Texas and Denver.

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