The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are:

5298 O Beautiful pane of 20
a. (50¢) Death Valley National Park
b. (50¢) Three Fingers Mountain, Washington
c. (50¢) Double Rainbow Over Kansas Field
d. (50¢) Great Smoky Mountains National Park
e. (50¢) Field of Wheat, Wisconsin
f. (50¢) Plowed Wheat Fields, Washington
g. (50¢) Grasslands Wildlife Management Area, California
h. (50¢) Field of Wheat, Montana
i. (50¢) Yosemite National Park
j. (50¢) Crater Lake National Park
k. (50¢) Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
l. (50¢) Maroon Bells, Colorado
m. (50¢) Sunrise Near Orinda, California
n. (50¢) Pigeon Point, Near Pescadero, California
o. (50¢) Edna Valley, California
p. (50¢) Livermore, California
q. (50¢) Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hawaii
r. (50¢) Lone Ranch Beach, Oregon
s. (50¢) Canaveral National Seashore, Florida
t. (50¢) Bailey Island, Maine

Updated May 25th:
On July 4, 2018, in Colorado Springs, CO, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the O Beautiful stamps (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) in 20 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 565300). The stamps will go on sale nationwide July 4, 2018.

With the release of the O Beautiful stamps, the U.S. Postal Service commemorates the beauty and majesty of the United States through images that correspond with one of the nation’s most beloved songs, “America the Beautiful.” Each of the 20 stamps on the pane features a photograph that helps illustrate one of five phrases from the song’s famous first verse: “Spacious Skies” (top row), “Waves of Grain” (second row), “Mountain Majesties” (third row), “The Fruited Plain” (fourth row), and “Sea to Shining Sea” (bottom row). Art director Ethel Kessler designed the pane using existing photographs.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 565300, O Beautiful (Forever Priced at the First-Class Mail Rate) Commemorative Pane of 20 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office or at The Postal Store website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – O Beautiful Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by November 4, 2018.

No locally produced items are authorized. Only merchandise that has been approved and assigned an item number by Headquarters Retail Marketing may be produced and sold.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: O Beautiful Stamps
Item Number: 565300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (20 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 4, 2018, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Photo: Timothy T. De La Vega
Existing Photo: Kevin Ebi
Existing Photo: Larry Michael
Existing Photo: David Muench
Existing Photo: Sean Ramsey
Existing Photo: Benjamin Williamson
Existing Photo: Gary Crabbe
Existing Photo: Tim Fitzharris
Existing Photo: Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Mueller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 60,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS Cool Gray 7
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.085 x 1.085 in/27.56 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.225 in/31.12 x 31.12 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.90 x 7.50 in/149.86 x 190.50 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.80 x 22.50 in/299.72 x 571.50 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five (5) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: O BEAUTIFUL • Plate numbers in two corners
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (565300) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

Updated May 17th:
U.S. Postal Service to Issue O Beautiful Forever Stamps

What: First-day-of-issue stamp dedication ceremony for the O Beautiful Forever stamps. The event is free and open to the public. News about these stamps is being shared with the hashtag #OBeautifulStamps.

When: Wednesday, July 4, at 7:30 p.m. MDT

Where:
Colorado Springs Philharmonic’s July 4th Event — Summer Symphony
Memorial Park
1605 Pikes Peak Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80910

Who:

• U.S. Postal Service Colorado Wyoming District Manager Kevin Romero
• Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra

Background: With the release of the O Beautiful Forever stamps, the U.S. Postal Service commemorates the beauty and majesty of the United States through 20 images that correspond with the lyrics of one of the nation’s most beloved songs, “America the Beautiful.” Each of the stamps features a photograph that helps illustrate one of five phrases from the song’s first verse: “Spacious Skies” (top row), “Waves of Grain” (second row), “Mountain Majesties” (third row), “The Fruited Plain” (fourth row), and “Sea to Shining Sea” (bottom row). Details of the locations — ranging from Maine to Hawaii — will be announced later. Credit stamp pane image as ©2018 USPS.

Updated May 10th: These stamps will be issued July 4th in Colorado Springs, CO.

Original Announcement:
With the release of O Beautiful, the Postal Service commemorates the beauty and majesty of the United States through images that correspond with one of the nation’s most beloved songs, “America the Beautiful.”
Updated June 12th:

Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.71″ x 1.16″. The Black & White pictorial measures 2.75″ x 1.10″.

The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are 5285-5294. Click here to see each stamp’s assignment.

Last updated May 25th:
On June 20, 2018, in Austin, TX, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Frozen Treats stamps (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) in 10 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive, double-sided booklet of 20 stamps (Item 681700). The stamps will go on sale nationwide June 20, 2018.

Frozen Treats stamps feature frosty, colorful pops on a stick in a variety of shapes and flavors. This booklet of 20 scratch-and-sniff stamps showcases whimsical watercolor illustrations in 10 different designs. The stamps are printed with a coating that evokes a sweet summer scent. Art directors Antonio Alcalá and Leslie Badani designed the stamps with original art by Margaret Berg.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 681700 Frozen Treats, (Forever Priced at the First-Class Mail Rate) Double-sided Booklet of 20 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office or at the Postal Store website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Frozen Treats Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by October 20, 2018.

No locally produced items are authorized. Only merchandise that has been approved and assigned an item number by Headquarters Retail Marketing may be produced and sold.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Frozen Treats Stamps
Item Number: 681700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-sided Booklet of 20
(10 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 20, 2018, Austin, TX 78710
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Leslie Badani, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Leslie Badani, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Margaret Berg, Santa Monica, CA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 100,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.52 x 1.96 in./140.21 x 49.78 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 22.455 x 3.92 in./ 570.36 x 99.57 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta Yellow
Plate Size: 1040 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header. “FROZEN TREATS Scratch and Sniff” Twenty First-Class Forever Stamps • Plate number in peel strip area • ©2017 USPS in peel strip area

Last updated May 21st:

[press release]
U.S. Postal Service’s First Scratch-and-Sniff Stamps Evoke a Sweet Summer Scent

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service’s first scratch-and-sniff stamps will add the sweet scent of summer to letters of love, friendship, party invitations and other mailings when the Postal Service introduces the Frozen Treats Forever stamps June 20 in Austin, TX.

The stamps can be pre-ordered at this link soon for delivery shortly after the June 20 issuance.

The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony, free and open to the public, will take place at 6 p.m. CDT at Austin’s Thinkery Children’s Museum. Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS. Share the news using the hashtag #FrozenTreatsStamps.

The stamps feature illustrations of frosty, colorful, icy pops on a stick. Today, Americans love cool, refreshing ice pops on a hot summer day. The tasty, sweet confections come in a variety of shapes and flavors.

Ice pops are made by large manufacturers, home cooks and artisanal shops. In recent years, frozen treats containing fresh fruit such as kiwi, watermelon, blueberries, oranges and strawberries have become more common. In addition, flavors such as chocolate, root beer and cola are also popular. Some frozen treats even have two sticks, making them perfect for sharing.

This booklet of 20 stamps showcases the work of Margaret Berg of Santa Monica, CA, depicting whimsical watercolor illustrations of frozen treats. Each of the 10 stamp designs includes two different treats. The words “FOREVER” and “USA” appear along the bottom of each stamp.

Art director Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, VA, designed the stamps with Leslie Badani of Alexandria, VA.

Frozen Treats is being issued as First-Class Mail Forever stamps which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.

Stamp ideas welcome
The public is encouraged to submit stamp suggestions. Visit the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee website for details on the stamp selection process and instructions for submitting suggestions in writing. Due to the time required for research and approval, ideas for stamp subjects should be received at least three years prior to the proposed release. Each submission should include pertinent historical information and important dates associated with the subject.

Initial announcement from the USPS:

Frozen Treats Frozen Treats features frosty, colorful icy pops on a stick. The tasty, sweet confections come in a variety of shapes and flavors.

From the USPS, updated May 8th:

U.S. Postal Service to Issue Frozen Treats Forever Stamps

What: First-day-of-issue stamp dedication ceremony for the Frozen Treats Forever stamps. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP at usps.com/frozentreats. Share the news of the stamps using the hashtag #FrozenTreatsStamps. When: Wednesday, June 20, at 6 p.m.

Where:

Thinkery Children’s Museum
Event Courtyard
1830 Simond Ave.
Austin, TX 78723

Parking is available at nearby Alamo Parking. Tickets will be validated at the Thinkery Children’s Museum admission entrance.

Background: Cool off with Frozen Treats, a U.S. Postal Service Forever stamp issuance featuring frosty, colorful, icy pops on a stick. The tasty, sweet confections come in a variety of shapes and flavors.

Today, Americans love cool, refreshing ice pops on a hot summer day. Modern frozen treats are available in many varieties. Ice pops are made by large manufacturers, home cooks, and artisanal shops. In recent years, frozen treats containing fresh fruit such as kiwi, watermelon, blueberries, oranges, and strawberries have become more common. In addition, flavors such as chocolate, root beer, and cola are also popular. Some frozen treats even have two sticks, making them perfect for sharing.

This booklet of 20 stamps showcases Margaret Berg’s whimsical watercolor illustrations of frozen treats. Each of the 10 stamp designs include two different treats. The words “FOREVER” and “USA” appear along the bottom of every stamp.

Updated June 12th:

Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.48 x 1.45 inches.The Black-and-White pictorial measures 2.80 x 1.16 inches.

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5284.

Latest updates at the bottom.

From the USPS:

Flag Act of 1818 With this stamp, the Postal Service marks the 200th anniversary of the Flag Act of 1818, which gave us the basic design of the current American flag: 13 stripes symbolizing the original 13 colonies and one star for each state in the union.

This stamp will be issued June 9 in Appleton, Wisconsin, which holds a large Flag Day Parade each year.This year’s parade will be held June 9th, the same day the stamp will be issued.

The Flag Act of 1818 was enacted by Congress on April 4, 1818. For more on this Act, visit Wikipedia.

Appleton was the first-day city for the Edna Ferber stamp (Sc. 3433) in 2002. It is also the birthplace of Harry Houdini (Sc. 3651), although that stamp was issued in New York.

—VSC

Updated May 1st:

[press release]
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Flag Act of 1818
U.S. Postal Service Dedicating a New Forever Stamp Marking the Historic Milestone

What: With this stamp, the U.S. Postal Service is pleased to highlight the 200th anniversary of the Flag Act of 1818, which provided the basic design of the current American flag: 13 stripes symbolizing the original 13 colonies and one star for each state in the union.
The stamp art celebrating this anniversary shows a flag with 20 stars, the number of states in the Union when the Flag Act of 1818 went into effect. Ethel Kessler was art director for the stamp and typography was by Kit Hinrichs. Hinrichs shows a flag with crisp folds and a layering effect that conveys a sense of the dynamism of the young nation. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #FlagActStamp.

Who:
Pat Mendonca, U.S. Postal Service Senior Director for the Postmaster General/CEO

When:
Saturday, June 9, 2018, 11:30 a.m., Central Daylight Time

Where: 68th Appleton Flag Day Parade
Houdini Plaza
100 W. Lawrence Street
Appleton, WI 54911

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/flagact to gain entrance to the event.

Background: Two hundred years ago the Flag Act of 1818 gave us the basic design of the current American flag: 13 stripes and one star for each state in the Union.

Prior to the act, the nation’s official flag showed 15 stars and 15 stripes. The expansion of the union to 20 states by 1817 required a rethinking of the flag’s configuration. Rather than increasing the number of stripes every time a new state joined the union, the Flag Act reduced their number to 13, signifying the original 13 colonies, and increased the number of stars to reflect the current number of states in the union. The act specified that a new star would be added on the Fourth of July following the admission of a new state.

The United States flag has had 50 stars since July 4, 1960, when a new star was added after Hawaii became the 50th state.

Updated May 10th: Here are the first-day cancels for this issue: The DCP measures 2.34″ x 1.49″ The pictorial cancel measures 2.91″ x 1.47″

From the Postal Bulletin:

On June 9, 2018, in Appleton, WI, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Flag Act of 1818 stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 477800). The stamp will go on sale nationwide June 9, 2018.

With this stamp, the Postal Service™ marks the 200th anniversary of the Flag Act of 1818, which provided the basic design of the current American flag: 13 stripes symbolizing the original 13 colonies and one star for each state in the Union. The stamp art features a flag with 20 stars, the number of states in the Union when the Flag Act of 1818 was implemented. The flag‘s crisp folds and layering effect convey a sense of the dynamism of the young nation. Ethel Kessler served as art director for the project with stamp design and typography by Kit Hinrichs.

Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Flag Act of 1818 Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by October 9, 2018.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Flag Act of 1818 Stamp
Item Number: 477800
Denomination &T ype of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 9, 2018, Appleton, WI 54911
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Typographer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Offset, Microprint
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 20,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, PMS 2145C Blue, PMS 186C Red, and PMS Cool Gray 6C
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 0.84 in./36.07 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.98 in./39.62 x 24.89 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.24 x 5.92 in./183.90 x 150.37 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in two corners
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (477800) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

The latest updates appear at the bottom. [Latest July 2.] This was the initial release from the U.S. Postal Service:

Sally Ride America’s first woman in space, Sally Ride (1951–2012), inspired the nation as a pioneering astronaut, brilliant physicist and dedicated educator.

This stamp will be issued May 23rd in La Jolla, Calif., where she lived until her death at the age of 61 in 2012. More on Sally Ride can be found at Wikipedia.

[USPS advisory, March 21]
U.S. Postal Service to Dedicate Sally Ride Forever Stamp

WHAT: First-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Sally Ride Forever stamp. The event is free and open to the public. Please share the news using the hashtags #SallyRideForever and #AstronautStamps.

RSVP for the ceremony: Click here.

WHO:

• Megan J. Brennan, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer
• Pradeep K. Khosla, chancellor, University of California San Diego
• Billie Jean King, tennis legend and champion of social justice; friend of Sally Ride
• Ellen Ochoa, first Hispanic woman in space and director of the Johnson Space Center; friend of Sally Ride
• Tam O’Shaughnessy, co-founder and executive director of Sally Ride Science at University of California San Diego; widow of Sally Ride
• Becky Petitt, vice chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, University of California San Diego

WHEN: Wednesday, May 23 at 5 p.m. PDT

WHERE: The Price Center, University of California San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

BACKGROUND: America’s first woman in space, Dr. Sally Ride (1951–2012) inspired the nation as a pioneering astronaut, brilliant scientist, and dedicated educator.

On June 18, 1983, Ride launched through Earth’s atmosphere aboard space shuttle Challenger, becoming the first American woman to reach space. For six days, she worked closely with her four male crewmates, proving to the world below that women were just as adept as their male counterparts in the final frontier.

Ride was the only person to sit on the investigative panels for both the Challenger and Columbia accidents. As a professor, she used her experience as an astronaut to explain complicated physics principles. In 2001, she cofounded a company devoted to fostering interest and skills in science, technology, engineering, and math among young people, particularly girls.

Through her love of science and determination to improve our world, Ride left a lasting impact on generations of students and the future of American space exploration.

After the stamp dedication ceremony, Sally Ride Science at UC San Diego will celebrate the occasion with a panel discussion on Women in Leadership at 6:30 p.m. Visit Sally Ride Science at UC San Diego for more information.

The panel discussion will feature King, Ochoa and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Lynn Sherr serves as the moderator. —VSC

Updated April 2, 2018:

Ride’s NASA biography says she was a stamp collector!

Updated April 15:
On May 23, 2018, in La Jolla, CA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Sally Ride stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 477300). The stamp will go on sale nationwide May 23, 2018.

America’s first woman in space, Dr. Sally Ride (1951–2012), inspired the nation as a pioneering astronaut, brilliant physicist, and dedicated educator. The stamp art, sketched first in charcoal and then rendered in oil paint, features a colorful portrait of Ride in her light blue space suit with a dramatic depiction of a space shuttle lifting off in the background. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with artwork by Paul Salmon.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 477300, Sally Ride (Forever Priced at the First-Class Mail Rate) Commemorative Pane of 20 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™ of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Sally Ride Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by September 23, 2018.

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

• 477306 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $90.00.
• 477310 Digital Color Keepsake, $11.95.
• 477316 First-Day Cover, $0.94.
• 477321 Digital Color Postmark, $1.65.
• 477330 Ceremony Program, $6.95.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Sally Ride Stamp
Item Number: 477300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: May 23, 2018, La Jolla, CA 92037
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Artist: Paul Salmon, Burke, VA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 20,000,000 Stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 7687
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.085 x 1.42 in/27.56 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.56 in/31.12 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.12 x 8.14 in/180.85 x 206.76 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 21.36 x 25.295 in/542.54 x 642.49 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five (5) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: SALLY USA RIDE • Plate numbers in two corners
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (477300) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

For Jim Sutton, regarding nametags: It appears the actual nametag, at least for this flight, read just “Sally.”

Updated May 9th:
The link for first-day ceremony reservations was added above… or click here.

Updated July 2nd:
The Scott Catalogue number for this stamp is 5283.

The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are:

• 5276 (50¢) Science
• 5277 (50¢) Technology
• 5278 (50¢) Engineering
• 5279 (50¢) Mathematics
• a. Vert. strip of 4, #5276-5279

From the USPS; latest information is at the end of this page:

STEM Education
These Forever stamps celebrate the role of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in keeping our nation a global leader in innovation. Designed to pique the curiosity of the viewer, each of these four stamps features a collage of faces, symbols, drawings and numbers that represent the complexity and interconnectedness of the STEM disciplines.

These stamps will be issued April 6th in Washington, DC.

Updated March 1st from the Postal Bulletin:

On April 6, 2018, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service ® will issue the STEM Education stamps (Forever ® priced at 50 cents) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 477600). The stamps will go on sale nationwide April 6, 2018. The STEM Education pane of 20 stamps may not be split or sold individually.

These stamps celebrate the role of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in keeping our nation a global leader in innovation and providing new opportunities for all Americans to learn and explore the world. Designed to pique the curiosity of the viewer, each of these four stamps features a collage of faces, symbols, drawings, and numbers that represent the complexity and interconnectedness of the STEM disciplines. Artist David Plunkert worked with art director Antonio Alcalá to create these stamps.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 477600, STEM Education (Forever priced at 50 cents) Commemorative Pane of 20 Stamps Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™ of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of- issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store ® website at usps.com/shop , or by phone at 800-782-6724. They must affix the stamps to envelope s of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – STEM Education Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first- day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be post marked by August 6, 2018.

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

• 477606, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $60.00.
• 477610 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (set of 4), $16.95.
• 477616 First-Day Cover (set of 4), $3.76.
• 477621 Digital Color Postmark (set of 4), $6.60.
• 477630 Ceremony Program (random single), $6.95.
• 477633 Panel, $10.95.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: STEM Education Stamps
Item Number: 477600
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail® Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 6, 2018, Washington, DC 20066
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: David Plunkert, Baltimore, MD
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: David Plunkert, Baltimore, MD
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 15,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 7.63 in./150.37 x 193.80 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.84 x 23.14 in./300.74 x 587.76 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: STEM Education o Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back: ©2017 USPS o USPS Logo o Two barcodes (477600) o Plate Position Diagram o Promotional Text

Updated March 6th::
[USPS media advisory]

Postal Service to Celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Dedicating STEM Education Forever StampsWhat: The U.S. Postal Service will salute the role of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in keeping our nation a global leader in innovation and providing new opportunities for all Americans to learn and explore the world with the STEM Education Commemorative Forever Stamps First-Day-of-Issue Dedication Ceremony. Please share the news using the hashtags #EducationStamps and #STEMEducation.

When: Friday, April 6, 2018, 11 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time

Where: USA Science & Engineering Festival
Walter E. Washington Convention Center- Hall E
801 Mt. Vernon Place NW
Washington, DC 20001

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

Media check-in: There will be a room dedicated for all media to check-in (Room 155). Media can enter the Convention Center at the main entrance on Mt. Vernon and will be directed to the stamp dedication ceremony. To learn more and to register as media visit: usasciencefestival.org/media/media-kit.

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees must RSVP at usps.com/stemeducation to gain access to the event. Registered attendees will enter through the Convention Center’s main entrance on Mt. Vernon Place NW to check-in at the Welcome/Info booth and will be directed to Hall E on the upper level of the Convention Center for the dedication ceremony.

Background: In an increasingly competitive world, proficiency in the fields collectively known as STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – is more critical than ever. These stamps are designed to pique the curiosity of customers and feature a collage of faces, symbols, drawings and numbers that represent the complexity and interconnectedness of the STEM disciplines. Artist David Plunkert worked with art director Antonio Alcalá to create these stamps.

Updated March 28th:

[USPS advisory]
Postal Service to Celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Dedicating STEM Education Forever Stamps

What: The U.S. Postal Service will salute the role of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education during the first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the four new STEM Education Forever Stamps. Share the news using the hashtags #EducationStamps and #STEMEducation.

Who:

• Steven W. Monteith, Vice President of Marketing, U.S. Postal Service
• Marc Schulman, Executive Director, USA Science & Engineering Festival
• C. Mark Eakin, Ph.D., Coordinator, Coral Reef Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Kavya Kopparapu, Finalist, Regeneron Science Talent Search
• Courtney Pine, Kid Reporter, Scholastic News Kids Press Corps (right)
• Danni Washington, USA Science & Engineering Festival

When: Friday, April 6, 2018, 11 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time

Where:
USA Science & Engineering Festival
Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Hall E
801 Mt. Vernon Place NW
Washington, DC 20001

Attendees should enter through the Convention Center main entrance on Mt. Vernon Place NW to be directed to Hall E on the Center’s upper level for the dedication ceremony.

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

Media check-in: Media can enter the Convention Center at the main entrance on Mt. Vernon and will be directed to the dedication ceremony to check in with Postal Service representatives at the media registration near Hall E stage disability accessible seating. To learn more and to register as media visit: usasciencefestival.org/media/media-kit.

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP for the event at usps.com/stemeducation.

Background: In an increasingly competitive world, proficiency in the fields collectively known as STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — is more critical than ever. These stamps are designed to pique the curiosity of customers and feature a collage of faces, symbols, drawings and numbers that represent the complexity and interconnectedness of the STEM disciplines. Artist David Plunkert worked with art director Antonio Alcalá to create these stamps.

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5275.

From the USPS (updates are below the basic announcement): Click here for photos from the first day ceremony.

Mister Rogers Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was known as a beloved television neighbor to generations of children. His groundbreaking public television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood inspired and educated young viewers with warmth, sensitivity and honesty.

This stamp will be issued March 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a first-day ceremony.

Updated February 2nd:

USPS Media Advisory
U.S. Postal Service to Dedicate Mister Rogers Forever Stamp

WHAT: First-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Mister Rogers Forever stamp. The event is free and open to the public. Please share the news using the hashtag #MisterRogersStamp.

WHO: Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Megan J. Brennan (right)

WHEN: Friday, March 23 at 11 a.m. ET

WHERE: WQED’s Fred Rogers Studio
4802 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

BACKGROUND: Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

Fred Rogers (1928-2003) was known as a beloved television neighbor to generations of children. His groundbreaking public television series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” inspired and educated young viewers with warmth, sensitivity and honesty.

Filmed in Pittsburgh and first distributed nationally in 1968 by a predecessor of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the program was innovative and unlike anything on television for children at that time. Each episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” began with its host welcoming the audience into his television house. While singing “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Rogers always put on his trademark cardigan, changed into sneakers and then introduced the day’s topic. He discussed many of the experiences of growing up, delicately covering everything from sharing and friendship to difficult subjects like anger, fear and divorce.

Updated February 16 from the Postal Bulletin:

On March 23, 2018, in Pittsburgh, PA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Mister Rogers stamp (Forever® priced at 50 cents) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 477200). The stamp will go on sale nationwide March 23, 2018.

Fred Rogers (1928-2003) was known as a beloved television neighbor to generations of children. His groundbreaking public television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood inspired and educated young viewers with warmth, sensitivity, and honesty. The stamp features Walt Seng’s photograph of Rogers in a red cardigan and also includes puppet King Friday XIII, a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood character hailing from “The Neighborhood of Make-Believe.” Rogers, who sang and composed hundreds of songs for the show, used puppets and their human friends to discuss many of the experiences of growing up, delicately covering everything from sharing and friendship to difficult subjects like anger, fear, divorce, and death. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 477200, Mister Rogers (Forever priced at 50 cents) Commemorative Pane of 20 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™ of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop, or by phone at 800-782-6724. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Mister Rogers Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by July 23, 2018.

There are both Digital Color and pictorial first-day postmarks for this issue. In addition, local post offices may use this postmark:

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

• 477206 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $60.00.
• 477210 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
• 477216 First-Day Cover, $0.94.
• 477221 Digital Color Postmark, $1.65.
• 477230 Ceremony Program, $6.95.
• 477233 Panel, $10.95.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Mister Rogers Stamp
Item Number: 477200
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail® Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: March 23, 2018, Pittsburgh, PA 15290
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Artist: Walt Seng
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 12,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit NC
Colors: Cool Gray 7, Pantone 7675, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in/21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in/24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 8.00 in/150.37 x 203.20 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.84 x 24.00 in/300.74 x 609.60 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by six (6) digits (corrected by USPS March 1st)
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in two corners o Header: Mister Rogers
Back: ©2017 USPS o USPS Logo o Two barcodes (477200) o Plate Position Diagram o Promotional Text

Here are the first-day cancels for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.43″ x 1.43″The pictorial postmark for this issue measures 2.33″ x 1.49″ The special (local) postmark measures 2.96″ x 1.10″

Updated March 15:

[USPS media advisory]
U.S. Postal Service to Dedicate Mister Rogers Forever Stamp

WHAT: DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND, THIS EVENT IS NOW AT CAPACITY. [emphasis added] First-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Mister Rogers Forever stamp. Share the news using the hashtag #MisterRogersStamp.

WHO: Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Megan J. Brennan
The Fred Rogers Company President and CEO Paul Seifken
McFeely-Rogers Foundation Executive Director James R. Okonak

WHEN: Friday, March 23 at 11 a.m. ET

WHERE: WQED’s Fred Rogers Studio
4802 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

BACKGROUND: Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was known as a beloved television neighbor to generations of children. His groundbreaking public television series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” inspired and educated young viewers with warmth, sensitivity and honesty.

Filmed in Pittsburgh and first distributed nationally in 1968 by a predecessor of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the program was innovative and unlike anything on television for children at that time. Each episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” began with its host welcoming the audience into his television house. While singing “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” Rogers always put on his trademark cardigan, changed into sneakers and then introduced the day’s topic. He discussed many of the experiences of growing up, delicately covering everything from sharing and friendship to difficult subjects like anger, fear and divorce.

From the USPS (updates are posted below this initial announcement):

llinois Statehood (Statehood series) This stamp celebrates the 200th anniversary of Illinois statehood. Known as the Prairie State, Illinois became the 21st state of the union on Dec. 3, 1818.

This stamp will be issued March 5th in Springfield, Illinois, with a first-day ceremony.

Updated February 1 from the Postal Bulletin:

On March 5, 2018, in Springfield, IL, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Illinois Statehood First-Class Mail stamp (Forever priced at 50 cents) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 477100). The stamp will go on sale nationwide March 5, 2018.

This stamp celebrates the 200th anniversary of Illinois statehood. Known as the Prairie State, Illinois became the 21st state of the Union on December 3, 1818. The stamp art features an outline of the state map with a series of yellow beams radiating upward like the rays of a rising sun.

The colors on the map begin at the bottom with a deep yellow. The color fades upward to pale yellow and then into pale blue, with increasingly deeper blues rising to the top of the map; the yellows and blues symbolize the dawning of a new day as the state joins the Union. Stars, representing the first 20 states, grace the top of the stamp. The rising sun symbolizes the 21st star. Illinois artist Michael Konetzka designed the stamp and created the artwork. Antonio Alcalá was the art director.

Item 477100, $10.00 Illinois Statehood (Forever priced at 50 cents) Commemorative PSA Pane of 20 Stamps. Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices (in Illinois only) [emphasis added by VSC]

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store website at usps.com/shop, or by phone at 800-782-6724. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Illinois Statehood Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by July 5, 2018.

There is a special postmark design which local post offices may use: Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

• 477106 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $60.00.
• 477110 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
• 477116 First-Day Cover, $0.94.
• 477121 Digital Color Postmark, $1.65.
• 477130 Ceremony Program, $6.95.
• 477133 Panel, $10.95.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Illinois Statehood Stamp
Item Number: 477100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail, Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Statehood
Issue Date & City: March 5, 2018, Springfield, IL 62703
Designer: Michael Konetzka, Chicago IL
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Michael Konetzka, Chicago IL
Artist: Michael Konetzka, Chicago IL
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 25,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit NC
Colors: Cool Gray 5, Cool Gray 7, Pantone 431, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 7.24 in./150.37 x 183.90 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 21.72 x 11.84 in./551.69 x 300.74 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: B followed by seven (7) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in four corners of pane
Back: © 2017 USPS o USPS logo o Barcode (477100) in upper right and lower left corners of pane o Plate position diagram o Promotional text

Updated February 2nd:

USPS Media Advisory
U.S. Postal Service to Dedicate Illinois Statehood Forever Stamp

WHAT: First-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Illinois Statehood Forever stamp. The event is free and open to the public. Beginning February 8, RSVP to usps.com/Illinois. Please share the news using the hashtags #IllinoisStamp and #IllinoisStatehood.

WHEN: Monday, March 5 at 10:30 a.m. CT

WHERE: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
112 North 6th Street
Springfield, IL 62701

BACKGROUND: Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

This stamp celebrates the 200th anniversary of Illinois statehood. Known as the Prairie State, Illinois became the 21st state Dec. 3, 1818.

The stamp art features an outline of the state map with a series of yellow beams radiating upward like the rays of a rising sun. The colors begin at the bottom with a deep yellow, fading upward to pale yellow and then into pale blue, with increasingly deeper blues rising to the top of the state’s outline. The yellows and blues symbolize the dawning of a new day as the state joins the Union. Stars, representing the first 20 states, grace the top of the stamp. The rising sun symbolizes the 21st star.

Chicago artist Michael Konetzka designed the stamp and created the artwork. Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, VA, was the project’s art director.

Here are the first-day cancels for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 1.86” x 1.45”The pictorial postmark for this issue measures 2.73” x 1.49” The special (local) postmark measures 2.64” x .94”

Updated April 4th: The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5274.

Updated December 21st; further updates below the basic announcement:
As Lefty Dundee indicates in the “First Look” discussion, it appears this issue will have a tie-in with Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Center.

From the USPS:

Bioluminescent LifeThis issuance celebrates the phenomenon of bioluminescence — the ability of some species to glow — with a pane of 20 stamps featuring 10 life-forms that create their own light.

These stamps will be issued February 22nd in Fort Pierce, Florida, with a first-day ceremony.

Updated January 30th:

[USPS media advisory]

U.S. Postal Service to Dedicate Bioluminescent Life Stamps

WHAT: First-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Bioluminescent Life Forever stamps. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP at usps.com/bioluminescents. Please share the news using the hashtag #BioluminescentStamps.

WHO:

• U.S. Postal Service Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President Jeffrey C. Williamson (right).
• Ocean Research and Conservation Association (ORCA) CEO/Senior Scientist Dr. Edith Widder, whose photographs appear on seven stamp images (left).

WHEN: Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 11 a.m.

WHERE:
Sunrise Theatre
117 S. 2nd Street
Ft. Pierce, FL 34950

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

BACKGROUND: Recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on deep-sea exploration, Dr. Edith Widder, founder, CEO and senior scientist at ORCA, will share research findings about the fascinating world of bioluminescent life. Her photographs appear on seven stamp images.

Bioluminescence – the ability of some living things to generate their own light – occurs on many branches of the tree of life. This pane of 20 stamps showcases 10 examples of Bioluminescent Life.

At center top, the selvage – or area outside the stamps – features a transparent deep-sea comb jelly (Gregory G. Dimijian photo), surrounded by images of the firefly squid (Danté Fenolio). The title “BIOLUMINESCENT LIFE” appears on the selvage above the pane of stamps.

Eight stamp images represent the work of some of the top explorers of the bioluminescent ocean realm, and two portray land-based species. The stamps feature: deep-ocean octopus (Widder); midwater jellyfish (Widder); deep-sea comb jelly (Widder); mushroom (Taylor F. Lockwood); firefly (Gail Shumway); bamboo coral (Widder); marine worm (Widder); crown jellyfish (Widder); a second type of marine worm (Steve Haddock); and sea pen (Widder).

Updated February 1; from the Postal Bulletin:

On February 22, 2018, in Fort Pierce, FL, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Bioluminescent Life First-Class Mail stamps (Forever priced at 50 cents) in 10 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 475700). The stamps will go on sale nationwide February 22, 2018. The Bioluminescent Life $10.00 pane of 20 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.

Bioluminescent Life stamps celebrate the phenomenon of bioluminescence – the ability of some species to glow – with a pane of 20 stamps featuring 10 life-forms that create their own light. The stamp images represent the work of some of the top explorers of the bioluminescent ocean realm as well as two terrestrial bioluminescent life-forms:

• Row 1: deep-ocean octopus and midwater jellyfish, photos by Edith Widder.
• Row 2: deep-sea comb jelly, photo by Edith Widder; mushroom, photo by Taylor F. Lockwood.
• Row 3: firefly, photo by Gail Shumway; bamboo coral, photo by Edith Widder.
• Row 4: marine worm and crown jellyfish, photos by Edith Widder.
• Row 5: marine worm, photo by Steve Haddock; sea pen, photo by Edith Widder.

On each row of stamps, the third and fourth stamps repeat the first two designs. The selvage also features the transparent deep-sea comb jelly (photo by Gregory G. Dimijian) and the firefly squid (photo by Danté Fenolio). Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps and selvage from existing photographs.

Item 475700, $10.00 Bioluminescent Life (Forever priced at 50 cents) Commemorative Pane of 20 Stamps. Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store website at usps.com/shop, or by phone at 800-782-6724. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Bioluminescent Life Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by June 22, 2018.

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

• 475710 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (random cover), $11.95.
• 475716 First-Day Cover (set of 10), $9.40.
• 475721 Digital Color Postmark (set of 10), $16.50.
• 475730 Ceremony Program, $6.95.

Updated February 16 from the Postal Bulletin:

There are 7 philatelic products for this issue:

• 475706 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $90.00.
• 475710 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (random cover), $11.95.
• 475716 First-Day Cover (set of 10), $9.40.
• 475721 Digital Color Postmark (set of 10), $16.50.
• 475724 Shadow Box, $39.95.
• 475730 Ceremony Program, $6.95.
• 475750 Framed Art, $26.95.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Bioluminescent Life Stamps
Item Number: 475700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail® Forever®
Format: Pane of 20 (10 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 22, 2018, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photo: Steven Haddock
Existing Photo: Taylor F. Lockwood
Existing Photo: Gail Shumway
Existing Photo: Edith Widder, Ph.D.
Existing Photo: Gregory G. Dimijiian
Existing Photo: Danté Fenolio
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 40,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 0.84 in./36.07 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.98 in./39.62 x 24.89 mm
Full Pane Size
(w x h): 7.24 x 7.32 in./183.90 x 185.93 mm
Press Sheets Size
(w x h): 22.22 x 22.46 in./564.39 x 570.48 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Marginal Markings:
Back: © 2017 USPS o USPS logo o Barcode (475700) in upper right and lower left corners of pane o Plate Position Diagram o Promotional text

Updated February 23rd:
Photos by Daniel Afzal, U.S. Postal Service; used by permission. The stamps are unveiled at the Sunrise Theater in Fort Pierce, FL. Left to right, Jeffrey C. Williamson, Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive VP, USPS; Jill Roberts, News Director, WQCS Public Radio; Dr. Edith Widder, CEO and Senior Scientist, Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA); Taylor F. Lockwood, stamp photographer. Williamson and other dignitaries sign autographs after the ceremony. A set of 10 first day covers canceled at the event.

Taylor F. Lockwood, stamp photographer; and Widder after the ceremony.

Here are the first-day cancels for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.97” x 1.38”The pictorial postmark for this issue measures 2.91” x 1.47”

Updated April 4th: Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:

5264 (50¢) Bioluminescent Life – Octopus
5265 (50¢) Bioluminescent Life – Jellyfish
5266 (50¢) Bioluminescent Life – Comb Jelly
5267 (50¢) Bioluminescent Life – Mushrooms
5268 (50¢) Bioluminescent Life – Firefly
5269 (50¢) Bioluminescent Life – Bamboo Coral
5270 (50¢) Bioluminescent Life – Marine Worm
5271 (50¢) Bioluminescent Life – Crown Jellyfish
5272 (50¢) Bioluminescent Life – Marine Worm
5273 (50¢) Bioluminescent Life – Sea Pen
a. Block of 10, #5264-5273

From the USPS; updates appear after this initial description:

U.S. Flag For more than half a century, U.S. stamps have depicted the American flag in vivid red, white and blue. This eye-catching new issuance continues that tradition with a striking graphic design of a flag with two crisp folds.

From VSC: This stamp will be issued February 9th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a first-day ceremony. The date and location coincide with the American Stamp Dealers Association ASDA Winter Postage Stamp Show.

Updated January 5th from the Postal Bulletin:

On February 9, 2018, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the U.S. Flag 2018 First-Class Mail® stamp (Forever® priced at 50 cents) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) booklet of 20 stamps (Item 678200) produced by security printers Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd (APU) and Banknote Corporation of America (BCA), and a PSA Coil of 100 stamps (Item 749700) produced by security printers APU and BCA. The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 9, 2018.

For more than half a century, U.S. stamps have depicted the American flag in vivid red, white, and blue. This eye-catching new stamp issue continues that tradition with a striking graphic design of a flag with two crisp folds. Ethel Kessler served as art director for this stamp, which features a digital illustration by Kit Hinrichs.

Item 678200, $10.00 U.S. Flag 2018 First-Class Mail (Forever priced at 50 cents) PSA Double-Sided Booklet of 20 Stamps
Item 749700, $50.00 U.S. Flag 2018 First-Class Mail (Forever priced at 50 cents) PSA Coil of 100 Stamps

Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop, or by phone at 800-782-6724. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – U.S. Flag 2018 Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by April 9, 2018.

Technical Specifications (booklet of 20 APU):

Issue: U.S. Flag 2018 Stamp
Item Number: 678200
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-Sided Booklet of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 9, 2018, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Typographer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 1,250,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): .87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.52 x 1.96 in./140.21 x 49.78 mm
Colors: Black, PMS 2145, PMS 186
Plate Size: 1040 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by three (3) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header. “US Flag” Twenty First-Class Forever Stamps • Plate number in peel strip area • © 2017 USPS in peel strip area • Barcode

Technical Specifications (booklet of 20 BCA):

Issue: U.S. Flag 2018 Stamp
Item Number: 678200
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-Sided Booklet of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 9, 2018, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Typographer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 1,250,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.52 x 1.96 in./140.21 x 49.78 mm
Colors: PMS 2145 Blue, PMS 186 Red, Black
Plate Size: 960 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by three (3) single digits
Marginal Markings: Plate number in peel strip area
• © 2017 USPS in peel strip area
• Promotional text • Barcode

Technical Specifications (Coil of 100 APU):

Issue: U.S. Flag 2018 Stamp
Item Number: 749700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 100 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 9, 2018, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Typographer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 2,000,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, PMS 2145, PMS 186
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.8709 x 0.98 in./22.12 x 24.89 mm
Plate Size: 744 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by three (3) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 31st stamp below stamp image

Technical Specifications (BNA coil of 100):

Issue: U.S. Flag 2018 Stamp
Item Number: 749700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 100 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 9, 2018, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Typographer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 2,000,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: PMS 2145 Blue, PMS 186 Red, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
Plate Size: 744 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by three (3) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 31st stamp below stamp image

Updated January 8th:

There is a pictorial first-day postmark for this issue: It measures 2.95” x .95”.

Updated April 4th:

Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:

5260 (50¢) Flag coil stamp, serpentine die cut 9½ vert., microprinted “USPS” at left of flag fold on fourth white stripe (Ashton-Potter printing)
5261 (50¢) Flag coil stamp, serpentine die cut 11 vert., microprinted “USPS” at right of flag fold on fifth white stripe (Banknote printing)
5262 (50¢) Flag booklet stamp, serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides, microprinted “USPS” at left of flag fold on fourth red stripe (Ashton-Potter printing)
a. Convertible booklet pane of 20
5263 (50¢) Flag booklet stamp, serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides, microprinted “USPS” at right of flag fold on fifth white stripe (Banknote printing)
a. Convertible booklet pane of 20

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5259.

From the USPS; further updates will appear after the initial, introductory entry:

Lena Horne (Black Heritage series)The 41st issuance in the Black Heritage series honors the achievements of legendary performer and civil rights activist Lena Horne (1917–2010). Remembered as one of America’s great interpreters of popular songs, Horne also was a trailblazer in Hollywood for women of color. She used her personal elegance, charisma and fame to become an important spokesperson for civil rights.

This stamp will be issued January 30th in New York City, with a first-day ceremony.

From the USPS, December 28th:
Postal Service to Salute Black History Month
Dedicating Lena Horne Black Heritage Forever Stamp

What: The U.S. Postal Service will honor legendary performer and civil rights activist Lena Horne on the 41st stamp in the Black Heritage stamp series. Please share the news using hashtags #LenaHorneForever and #BlackHeritageStamps.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, 10:30 a.m., Eastern Standard Time

Where: Peter Norton Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th Street
New York, NY 10025

Background: Lena Horne was a trailblazer in Hollywood for women of color and used her fame as an entertainer to become an important civil rights spokesperson.

The stamp art features a photograph of Lena Horne taken by Christian Steiner in the 1980s. Kristen Monthei colorized the original black-and-white photo, adding a background reminiscent of Horne’s Stormy Weather album, with a few clouds to add texture and subtly make the album reference. “Lena Horne” is written along the bottom of the stamp, with “Black Heritage,” the stamp series title, at the top. “USA” and “Forever” appear on the lower right-hand side above Horne’s name. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.

Updated January 5th from the Postal Bulletin:

On January 30, 2018, in New York, NY, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Lena Horne First-Class Mail® stamp (Forever® priced at 50 cents) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (476900). The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 30, 2018.

The 41st stamp issue in the Black Heritage series honors the achievements of legendary performer and civil rights activist Lena Horne (1917–2010). The stamp art features a photograph taken by Christian Steiner in the 1980s. Kristen Monthei colorized the black-and-white photograph. Remembered as one of America‘s great interpreters of popular songs, Horne was also a trailblazer in Hollywood for women of color. She used her personal elegance, charisma, and fame to become an important spokesperson for civil rights. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp

Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™ of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop, or by phone at 800-782-6724. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Lena Horne Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by March 30, 2018.

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

• 476906 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $60.00.
• 476910 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
• 476916 First-Day Cover, $0.94.
• 476921 Digital Color Postmark, $1.65.
• 476924 Framed Art, $39.95.
• 476930 Ceremony Program, $6.95.

Technical details for the Lena Horne stamp will appear in a future edition of the Postal Bulletin.

Updated January 8th:

Here is the design of the Digital Color Postmark for this issue: It measures 2.41” x 1.47”. Here is the design for the pictorial first-day postmark: It measures 2.95” x 1.40″. Here is the design for the “special” postmark local post offices may use for this issue: It measures 2.82” x 1.48”

Updated January 11, 2018:

Reservations may or may not be necessary for the first-day ceremony, but if you wish to make one (and it couldn’t hurt), click on this link: usps.com/lenahorne

Updated January 21st, from the Postal Bulletin:

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Lena Horne Stamp
Item Number: 476900
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail® Forever®
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Black Heritage
Issue Date & City: January 30, 2018, New York, NY 10199
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Photo: Christian Steiner
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 35,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Pantone 7407, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.00 x 8.50 in./152.40 x 215.90 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 12.00 x 25.75 in./304.80 x 654.05 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: B followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: BLACK HERITAGE, Celebrating Lena Horne, 41st IN A SERIES • Plate number in two corners of pane
Back: © 2017 USPS • USPS logo • Barcode (476900) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text • Plate position grid

Updated February 28th:
The uspsblog.com has a story about the connection between two of the women recently included in the Black Heritage stamp series, Shirley Chisholm and Lena Horne.