Virtual Stamp Club

The U.S. Postal Service is only telling us about some of its 2025 issues, with a promise that "Additional stamps will be announced in the coming weeks and months."

And some major anniversaries are missing from the 2025 program announced so far.

The headliners we know about are Allen Toussaint (Black Heritage) (right), Betty White (second in an annual "Betty" series?), a Keith Haring-design Love stamp, and two subjects beloved by children.

U.S. 2025 Stamp Program

Last Updated January 19: Adds approximate dates for four issues, USPS product numbers for most first-quarter issues.

What's missing? What subjects haven't been announced yet? Which ones should be announced. Weigh in here.

No Mail Rate Hike in January! The Postmaster General says it isn't necessary. Details here.

Going soon from a homepage near you: The U.S. 2024 Stamp Program will soon be archived (but always available).

Just 2 U.S. Inaugural Postmarks Recent past presidential inaugurations have been commemorated by postmarks not only in Washington, DC, but also in the presidents' hometowns and sometimes even those of the vice presidents. This year's cancels weren't even announced until 4 days before the inauguration and they won't be available at the event! No reasons were given, but what we do know is here.

Canada's 2025 Stamp Program Canada Post says this year's program includes many social issues: Places of 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride, Truth & Reconciliation, Barrier-Breaking War Heroes, Slavery, and more. Plus there will be stamps honoring former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (right), Graphic Novelists, and Indigenous Leaders. Other subjects include peonies, holidays and biodiversity. See the program schedule. (Last updated January 22.)

VSC has learned in advance what the 2025 Hanukkah stamp will show!

New Education Director at APS Tomalei Vess has experience in both K-12 and university-level education, plus a background in sales and entrepreneurship. Her focus this year will be on a new community engagement and learning platform, "Stamp SCHOOL."

First Days Has New Editor Anthony "Tony" Bard also edits London Philatelist and two other journals for U.S. stamp societies. And, yes, he has dabbled in producing his own first day covers.

U.S. 2026 Show Seeks Stamps You'd think an international stamp collecting show would have plenty of stamps, but Boston 2026 wants to acquire 3 million more for welcome packets and beginners' areas at the show.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Reserve!Reservations are now open for the main show hotel for this summer's Great American Stamp Show. The block of rooms is likely to sell out quickly, so don't wait. (Last we heard, the first block of rooms is 70% sold!)

Investing Or Collecting? How do you view your collection? Is your goal to make money or have fun? Columnist John Hotchner looks at the choices.

750th Anniversary Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, is celebrating a birthday, and so is the Dutch postal agency. But the stamps may not be to everyone's liking.

Celebrating Caribbean Birds The Dutch postal agency will showcase the colorful birds of four Caribbean islands this year. First up: Sint Eustatius.

"Bless You For Watching" One of Britain's most-successful comedy television series, "The Vicar Of Dibley," is the subject of the UK's firs stamps for 2025. ("Bless you for watching" are the first words of every episode's credits.)

"Help! I just inherited this stamp collection!"
Just been given Aunt Matilda's old stamp collection and don't know what to do with it? We can help.

Want to Know What Other Collectors Think? The Virtual Stamp Club has its own comments section as well as a Facebook Group. Or visit the former home of The VSC (1996-2013), now called The Stamp Collecting Forum.

Quotable: "I confess to being an incurable philatelist."
— First Days editor Tony Bard

Last Updated January 22