For the first half of the year. Designs may change and issues may be added.

Unveiling the stamp at the first-day ceremony:Left to right: Janet Klug, Chair, Citizen Stamp Advisory Committee; Scott English, Executive Director American Philatelic Society; Daniel A. Piazza, Chief Curator of Philately, Smithsonian National Postal Museum; Michael J. Elston, Associate General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, USPS; Kevin J. Crocilla, New York City Postmaster; Antonio Alcala, art director for this issue; Dr. Cheryl R. Ganz, CSAC member. Ceremony photographs courtesy USPS.

[press release]
New Forever Stamp Souvenir Sheet Marks 250th Anniversary of the Repeal of the Stamp Act

NEW YORK — The U.S. Postal Service today dedicated a Forever stamp souvenir sheet commemorating the 250th anniversary of the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. The Stamp Act was British legislation that proved historic in galvanizing and uniting the American colonies, setting them on a path toward independence.

The stamp ceremony was held at the World Stamp Show— NY 2016 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, which continues through June 4. The United States plays host to a sanctioned international stamp show only once every 10 years.

“To me, the stamp represents what’s great about America and Americans,” said U.S. Postal Service Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Mike Elston (right). “Whether born here or only just recently arrived, we share in common a passionate love of liberty and freedom, and the willingness to sacrifice whatever it takes — even ‘our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor’ — to defend our liberties and our freedom,” he said, referring to the last line in the Declaration of Independence.

These new stamps have been printed – and will be sold – only as complete souvenir sheets of 10 stamps, priced at $4.70 (10 X $0.47). (Left: American Philatelic Society executive director Scott English.)

The Stamp Act, enacted in 1765, required payment of a tax on a wide array of paper materials, such as newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, licenses, mortgages, contracts and bills of sale. A stamp would be embossed on these papers to indicate payment.

The commemorative stamp art depicts a crowd gathered around a “liberty tree” to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act. “Liberty trees” could be found in a number of cities throughout the colonies, and were popular gathering spots for community meetings, political discussions, celebrations and more. (Right: Smithsonian National Postal Museum philatelic curator Daniel Piazza.)

The selvage area on the left side of the souvenir sheet displays a proof print of a one-penny revenue stamp, and includes a famous slogan from the era: “Taxation without representation is tyranny.” Verso text appears on the back of the pane. The stamp was illustrated by noted historical painter Greg Harlin of Annapolis, MD. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp and the pane.

Updated April 29th, from the Postal Bulletin:
On May 29, 2016, in New York, NY, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Repeal of the Stamp Act stamp (Forever® priced at 47 cents) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) souvenir sheet of 10 stamps (Item 586700). The Repeal of the Stamp Act souvenir sheet may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually.

The stamp will go on sale nationwide May 29, 2016.

This 2016 issuance of the Repeal of the Stamp Act stamp commemorates the 250th anniversary of the repeal of the Stamp Act — British legislation that galvanized and united the American colonies and set them on a path toward revolution. The act required payment of a tax on a wide array of paper materials, such as newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, licenses, mortgages, contracts, and bills of sale. A stamp would be embossed on these papers to indicate payment. The postage stamp depicts a crowd gathered around a “liberty tree” to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act. The selvage area displays a proof print of a one-penny revenue stamp and includes a famous slogan from the era: “Taxation without representation is tyranny.” Verso text appears on the back of the pane. The stamp was illustrated by noted historical painter Greg Harlin. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp and the pane.

Initial Supply to Post Offices: Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™. Post Offices may begin ordering stamps prior to the FDOI through SFS Web.

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 http:⁄⁄www.usps.com⁄shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Repeal of the Stamp Act Stamp
Special Events Coordinator
380 West 33rd Street
New York, NY 10199-9998

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 29, 2016.

There are nine philatelic products for this stamp issue:

• 586706 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $56.40 (print quantity 3,000)
• 586710 Keepsake, $11.95
• 586716 First-Day Cover, $0.91
• 586718 First-Day Cover, Full Pane, $7.20
• 586719 Cancelled Full Pane, $7.20
• 586721 Digital Color Postmark, $1.62
• 586724 Framed Art, $39.95
• 586730 Ceremony Program, $6.95
• 586733 Panel, $17.95

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Repeal of the Stamp Act Stamp
Item Number: 586700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Souvenir Sheet of 10 (1 design)
Series: N⁄A
Issue Date & City: May 29, 2016, New York, NY 10199
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Greg Harlin, Annapolis, MD
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: 10
Print Quantity: 12 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.09 x 1.42 in.⁄27.56 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.23 x 1.56 in.⁄31.12 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 8.5 x 5.00 in.⁄215.90 x 127.00 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 25.5 x 20.00 in.⁄647.70 x 508.00 mm
Plate Size: 120 stamps per revolution
Marginal Markings:
Back:
© 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (586700) in lower right corner of pane • Promotional text • Verso text

From the USPS August 20, 2015:

FDOI: Second Quarter (at World Stamp Show-NY 2016)
Format: Pane of 10 [souvenir sheet]

This issuance commemorates the 250th anniversary of the repeal of the Stamp Act, British legislation that galvanized and united the American colonies and set them on a path toward revolution. The act required payment of a tax on a wide array of paper materials, such as newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, licenses, mortgages, contracts, and bills of sale. A stamp would be embossed on these papers to indicate payment.

The stamp art depicts a crowd gathered around a “liberty tree” to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act. The selvage area displays a proof print of a one-penny revenue stamp and includes a famous slogan from the era: “Taxation without representation is tyranny.” Verso text appears on the back of the pane.

Artist: Greg Harlin
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá

Full pane:

Updated October 4th: Here are the Scott Catalogue numbers:

5106 Puppy
5107 Betta fish
5108 Iguana
5109 Hamster
5110 Goldfish
5111 Kitten
5112 Rabbit
5113 Tortoise
5114 Guinea pig
5115 Parrot
5116 Corn snake
5117 Mouse
5118 Hermit crab
5119 Chinchilla
5120 Gerbil
5121 Gecko
5122 Cat
5123 Horse
5124 Parakeets
5125 Dog
a. Convertible booklet pane of 20, #5106-5125

Updated July 7, 2016:
On August 2, 2016, in Las Vegas, NV, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Pets stamps (Forever® priced at 47 cents) in 20 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) double-sided booklet of 20 stamps (Item 680700).

The stamps will go on sale nationwide August 2, 2016.

With this booklet of 20 stamps, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the animals in our lives that bring us joy, companionship, and love. The stamp art features existing photographs of different animals taken against white backgrounds. Each photograph represents animals from these groups: puppies, betta fish, iguanas, hamsters, goldfish, parrots, guinea pigs, tortoises, rabbits, kittens, corn snakes, mice, hermit crabs, chinchillas, gerbils, dogs, parakeets, horses, cats, and geckos. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps with existing photographs by Eric Isselée.

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 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 http: ⁄⁄www.usps.com⁄shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Pets Stamps
United States Postal Service
Attn: Marilyn Wassell
1001 East Sunset Road, #2009
Las Vegas, NV 89199-9998

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 2, 2016.

There are five philatelic products for this stamp issue:

• 680706, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $75.20
• 680710 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (random single), $11.95
• 680716 First-Day Cover (Set of 20), $18.20
• 680721 Digital Color Postmark (Set of 20), $32.40
• 680730 Ceremony Program (random single), $6.95

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Pets Stamps
Item Number: 680700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-Sided Booklet of 20
Series: N⁄A
Issue Date & City: August 2, 2016, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photos: Eric Isselée
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 400,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.05 x 0.77 in.⁄26.67 x 19.56 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 1.19 x 0.91 in.⁄30.23 x 23.11 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 2.38 x 5.76 in.⁄60.45 x 146.30 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 23.29 x 4.76 in.⁄ 591.57 x 120.90 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Plate Size: 880 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Header. “Pets” • Twenty First-Class Forever Stamps • Plate numbers in peel strip area • © 2015 • USPS Logo • Promotional Text in peel strip area

Here is the Digital Color Postmark for this issue: It measures 2.9″ x 1.4″. The B&W postmark is the standard 4-bar FDOI.

Updated June 23rd: The first day ceremony for this issue will be held Tuesday, August 2, 2016 1:00 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center (South Seas Ballroom F, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas). The dedicating official will be Chief Marketing and Sales Officer and EVP James Cochrane (right).

Updated May 23rd: These stamps will be issued Tuesday, August 2nd, in Las Vegas. From the USPS:

SuperZoo, National Show for Pet Retailers
The Mandalay Bay Resort
South Seas Ballroom #F
3950 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89119

BACKGROUND: The 20 Forever stamps feature photographs of some favorite pets: dog, puppy, cat, kitten, betta fish, goldfish, iguana, snake, gecko, hermit crab, tortoise, hamster, guinea pig, gerbil, mouse, chinchilla, rabbit, parrot, parakeets and a horse.”

Note that the address above is for the first-day ceremony, not the FDC servicing address.

Added April 27th: Still no word when these stamps will be issued. I checked.

Added November 4th: I brought your qualms about the legality of each and every one of these pets in all states to the attention of Mary-Anne Penner, chief of USPS Stamp Services. She replied that, upon investigation, the legality of owning a particular pet can be very complex, and is also governed by state, county and even local laws and neighborhood rules, “and can change quickly.”

However, she stands by the identification of the bird: “The bird in the stamp art is a canary winged parakeet. The birds are also called white winged parakeets (Brotogeris versicolurus). We confirmed this with the photographer and a veterinarian who specializes in birds.”

From the USPS August 20, 2015:

20 designs
FDOI: Second Quarter (National Pet Month is in May)
Format: Booklet of 20

This issuance celebrates America’s love of pets.

The stamp art for the Pets booklet features 20 existing photographs. Each photograph represents an animal we love from these groups: puppies, betta fish, iguanas, hamsters, goldfish, parrots, guinea pigs, tortoises, rabbits, kittens, corn snakes, mice, hermit crabs, chinchillas, gerbils, dogs, parakeets, horses, cats, and geckos.

Existing Photos: Eric Isselée
Art Director: Derry Noyes

Notes: Stamp Services chief Mary-Anne Penner says the USPS made sure that it is legal to own all of these pets in all 50 states. There have been requests for a Ferrets stamp, but ownership is not legal throughout the U.S.

Updated July 3rd: Here is the Digital Color Postmark for this issue:
The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.6” x 1.25″.

Updated June 23rd: The first-day ceremony will be held Wednesday, July 13, 2016 11:00 a.m. in the Washington Hilton’s International Ballroom East (1919 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC — (Use T Street NW entrance and take escalators down to the Terrace Level). The dedicating official will be USPS Network Operations VP Robert Cintron.

Updated June 10th, from the Postal Bulletin:

On July 13, 2016, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Jaime Escalante First-Class Mail stamp (Forever priced at 47 cents), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 473800).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide July 13, 2016.

The U.S. Postal Service honors Jaime Escalante (1930ñ2010), the East Los Angeles teacher whose inspirational methods led supposedly “unteachable” high school students to master calculus. The digital illustration by Jason Seiler depicts Escalante in a style meant to resemble an oil painting. The illustration is based on a photograph taken by Jaime W. Escalante, on May 6, 2005, in the actual classroom at Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento, California, where his father formerly taught. The story of Jaime Escalante and his students attracted national attention with the release of the 1988 movie, Stand and Deliver. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Jason Seiler.

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 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 http:??www.usps.com?shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Jaime Escalante Stamp
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

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 13, 2016.

There are seven philatelic products for this stamp issue:

• 473806 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $84.60 (print quantity 1,500).
• 473810 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
• 473816 First-Day Cover, $0.91.
• 473821 Digital Color Postmark, $1.62.
• 473824 Framed Art, $39.95.
• 473830 Ceremony Program, $6.95.
• 473833 Panel, $10.95

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Jaime Escalante Stamp
Item Number: 473800
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N?A
Issue Date & City: July 13, 2016, Washington, DC 20066
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Artist: Jason Seiler, 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: 12 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS 5625?Green, PMS 118?Gold
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): 6.50 x 8.50 in.?165.10 x 215.90 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 20.00 x 26.00 in.? 508.00 x 660.40 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back: © 2015 USPS ï USPS logo ï Plate position diagram ï Barcode (473800) in lower right corner of pane ï Promotional text ï Jaime Escalante summary

Updated February 25th, from the USPS: This stamp will be issued Wednesday, July 13th, 11 a.m., at the Washington (DC) Hilton as part of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Convention and Exposition.

From the USPS August 20, 2015:

FDOI: Second Quarter (Birth date: December 31, 1930)
Format: Pane of 20

Beloved and charismatic California educator Jaime Escalante (1930–2010) used unconventional methods to inspire his inner-city students not only to learn calculus but also to pass Advanced Placement tests in the subject. With his colleagues at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, he proved that students judged to be “unteachable” could master even the most difficult subject.

The stamp art features Escalante in a digital illustration that resembles an oil painting. The illustration is based on a 2005 photograph taken by Jaime W. Escalante, in a classroom where his father formerly taught.

Artist: Jason Seiler
Art Director: Greg Breeding

Updated May 14th: Here is the first day Digital Color Postmark: It measures 2.995” x 1.5”. There is no B&W pictorial for this issue, but there is a “special” postmark that individual post offices may use: Updated May 11th, from the Postal Bulletin:
On June 7, 2016, in Indianapolis, IN, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Indiana Statehood stamp (Forever® priced at 47 cents) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 473700).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide June 7, 2016.

This stamp celebrates the 200th anniversary of Indiana’s statehood. Known as the Hoosier State, Indiana became the 19th state of the Union on December 11, 1816. The stamp features a contemplative photograph of the expansive cornfields near Milford, Indiana. The photographer, Michael Matti, grew up in Milford and had driven past that view hundreds of times until one day he decided to pull over, stand on top of his car, and take in the beautiful sunset. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp with Matti’s existing photograph.

Initial Supply to Post Offices: 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 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 www.usps.com⁄shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Indiana Statehood Stamp
Postmaster
125 West South Street
Indianapolis, IN 46206-9998

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 August 7, 2016.

There are seven philatelic products for this stamp issue:

• 473706 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $56.40 (print quantity 1,000).
• 473710 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
• 473716 First-Day Cover, $0.91.
• 473721 Digital Color Postmark, $1.62.
• 473724 Framed Art, $39.95.
• 473730 Ceremony Program, $6.95.
• 473733 Panel, $10.95.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Indiana Statehood
Item Number: 473700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Statehood
Issue Date & City: June 7, 2016, Indianapolis, IN 46298
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photo: Michael Matti
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: 30 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x .84 in⁄36.07 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x .98 in⁄39.62 x 24.89 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.24 x 5.95 in⁄183.90 x 151.13 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 21.72 x 11.90 in⁄551.69 x 302.26 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in four corners of pane
Back: USPS Logo • UPC Code in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Plate position diagram • 2015 USPS • Promotional text

From the USPS August 20, 2015:

FDOI: 2nd Quarter (Statehood date: December 11, 1816)
Format: Pane of 20

This stamp celebrates the 200th anniversary of Indiana’s statehood. Known as the Hoosier State, Indiana became the 19th state of the Union on December 11, 1816. Indiana has often been considered the heartland of America. Its fertile soil has long made it ideal for crops like corn, which remains a staple of Indiana’s agricultural economy. The state is also known for the Indianapolis 500 and its devotion to the game of basketball.

The stamp features a contemplative photograph of the expansive cornfields near Milford, Indiana, at sunset. The photographer, Michael Matti, grew up in Milford.

Existing Photo: Michael Matti
Art Director: Derry Noyes

Notes: No river? 🙂 Obviously, the stamp will not be issued on the statehood anniversary date. In other states, the bicentennial/centennial commissions have asked for earlier release dates so that the stamps can be used to promote the anniversary celebrations.

Updated March 7th:: The Scott Catalogue numbers for this issue are:

5042 (49¢) Botanical Art – Corn Lilies
5043 (49¢) Botanical Art – Tulips
5044 (49¢) Botanical Art – Tulips
5045 (49¢) Botanical Art – Dahlias
5046 (49¢) Botanical Art – Stocks
5047 (49¢) Botanical Art – Roses
5048 (49¢) Botanical Art – Japanese Irises
5049 (49¢) Botanical Art – Tulips
5050 (49¢) Botanical Art – Petunias
5051 (49¢) Botanical Art – Jonquils
a. Block of 10, #5042-5051
b. Convertible booklet pane of 10, #5042-5052
c. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 2 each #5042-5051
d. Imperforate block of 10
e. Imperforate booklet pane of 20

Updated January 12th:: The design of the Digital Color Postmark:It measures 2.99” x 1.36”. The “rubber” or black-and-white cancellation for this issue is the standard 4-bar FIRST DAY OF ISSUE postmark.

Updated January 6th::

On January 29, 2016, in Atlanta, GA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Botanical Art stamps, (Forever® priced at 49 cents) in ten designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) double-sided booklet of 20, $9.80 (Item 680600) and a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) booklet of 10, $4.90 (Item 678700).

The stamps will go on sale nationwide January 29, 2016.

The U.S. Postal Service continues its tradition of beautiful floral-themed stamps with Botanical Art, in booklets of 10 and 20 stamps. The stamp art features ten different floral designs, each a detail of an illustration from an American nursery catalog printed between 1891 and 1912. The design details are courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden; the catalogs are part of NYBG’s Nursery and Seed Catalog Collection, one of the largest and most important such collections in the U.S. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps.

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 http://www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Botanical Art Stamps
Atlanta MPO
Postmaster
3900 Crown Road
Atlanta, GA 30304-9998

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 29, 2016.

There are seven philatelic products for this stamp issue:

• 680606 Press Sheet with Die-Cut, $78.40, (print quantity 300)
• 680608,Press Sheet without Die-Cut, $78.40, (print quantity 350)
• 680610 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (random single), $11.95
• 680616 First-Day Cover (set of 10), $9.30
• 680621 Digital Color Postmark (set of 10), $16.40
• 680624 Framed Art, $29.95
• 680630 Ceremony Program (random single), $6.95

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Botanical Art
Item Number: 680600
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-sided Booklet of 20 
(10 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 29, 2016, Atlanta, GA 30303
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 500,000,000 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): 0.77 x 1.05 in./19.56 x 26.67 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.91 x 1.19 in./23.11 x 30.23 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.76 x 2.38 in./146.30 x 60.45 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 23.04 x 4.76 in./585.22 x 120.90 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Plate Size: 880 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Cover “Botanical Art” Twenty First-Class Forever Stamps • USPS Logo • Plate numbers in peel strip area • © 2015 USPS • “Design details courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden” in peel strip area • Promo-tional Text in peel strip area

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Botanical Art
Item Number: 678700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Booklet of 10 (10 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 29, 2016, Atlanta, GA 30303
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 10
Print Quantity: 100,000,000 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): 0.77 x 1.05 in./19.56 x 26.67 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.91 x 1.19 in./23.11 x 30.23 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 1.82 x 6.37 in./46.23 x 161.70 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Plate Size: 520 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Cover “Botanical Art” Ten First-Class Forever Stamps • USPS Logo • Plate numbers in peel strip area • “Design details courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden” • Purchasing Information • © 2015 USPS

Updated October 28th::
Names of the flowers on this issue:
Top row from left:

• Corn lilies
• Tulips
• Stocks
• Roses
• Petunias

Bottom Row from left:

• Tulips
• Dahlias
• Japanese Iris
• Tulips
• Daffodils and Jonquils

From the USPS:
The U.S. Postal Service continues its tradition of beautiful floral-themed stamps with Botanical Art, a booklet of 20 stamps featuring vintage illustrations taken from 19th- and early-20th-century plant and seed catalogs.

Beginning in the late 15th century, intrepid Europeans explored new lands in the Americas, the South Pacific, and other areas of the world. There they discovered plants unknown in Europe, which they imported for study and propagation. Scientists, gardeners, plant hunters, and collectors required accurate botanical drawings of the exotic new species. Botanical illustrators produced works that were meticulous and highly detailed and quite often beautiful pieces of art as well. The years 1750 to 1850 are considered the height of the botanical illustrator’s art.

The mid-19th century saw a flowering of another kind of botanical art. As more people discovered the joys of ornamental and recreational gardening, thriving commercial greenhouses and nurseries marketed plants — exotic as well as native — to eager gardeners. To entice buyers, the nurseries created colorful catalogs illustrated with beautiful blossoms and lush foliage. The illustrations were idealized, romantic versions of what plants could look like, but they fueled many a garden dream.

The stamp art features ten individual designs, each a detail of an illustration from an American nursery catalog printed between 1891 and 1912. The catalogs are part of The New York Botanical Garden’s Nursery and Seed Catalog Collection, one of the largest and most important collections in the U.S. The NYBG collection and similar collections in other institutions are treasure troves of historical information for scholars and scientists studying a wide range of subjects, including the history of botany, horticulture, commercial agriculture, landscape design, plant exploration, graphic arts, and publishing.

The artists responsible for the work seen on early nursery catalogs are mostly unknown to us now, but their captivating work lives on.

Art director Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, designed the stamps.

from the USPS October 22, 2015: The Botanical Art stamp First-Day-of-Issue ceremony will take place January 29 at 11 a.m. at the American Philatelic Society’s AmeriStamp/Southeastern Stamp Expo. The show will be held at the Hilton Atlanta, 255 Courtland St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303. The room for the ceremony will be announced at a later date.

From the USPS August 20, 2015:

10 designs.
FDOI: First Quarter
Format: Booklet of 20

This issuance continues the Postal Service™ tradition of beautiful floral-themed stamps.
The stamp art features ten different floral designs, each a detail of an illustration that appeared in an American nursery catalog between 1891 and 1912. The design details are courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden; the catalogs are part of the NYBG’s Nursery and Seed Catalog Collection, one of the largest and most important such collections in the U.S.

Existing Art: Details of cover illustrations from American nursery catalogs (1891-1912)
Art Director: Ethel Kessler

Updated April 14th: The USPS updated the number of press sheets for this issue, from 200 to 1,200.

Updated March 22nd: NBCNews.com and NJTV‘s website have stories on the Sarah Vaughan first day ceremony.

Updated March 22nd: The upcoming first day ceremony is featured in the Better Living section of The Record of Hackensack, the daily newspaper that covers Northern New Jersey. (Newark is not actually part of the paper’s coverage area.) You may need a subscription to view the article.

Updated March 4th: From the USPS: This Digital Color Postmark measures 2.45″x1.49″. The B&W postmark, surprisingly, is the four-bar FIRST DAY OF ISSUE cancel.
From the Postal Bulletin:

On March 29, 2016, in Newark, NJ, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Sarah Vaughan First-Class Mail® stamp (Forever® priced at 49 cents) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 16 stamps (Item 586400). The $7.84 Sarah Vaughan pane of 16 stamps may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually.

The stamp will go on sale nationwide March 29, 2016.

The U.S. Postal Service honors one of America’s greatest singers, Sarah Vaughan (1924–1990). In addition to her impeccable jazz credentials — as a young singer, she worked with great players such as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis — Vaughan successfully managed a second career as a pop singer. The stamp, part of the Music Icons series, features an oil painting of Vaughan in performance based on a photograph shot in 1955 by Hugh Bell. The stamp pane is designed to resemble a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve. One side of the pane includes the stamps and a brief text about Vaughan’s career with the image of a sliver of a record seeming to peek out of the top of the sleeve. A larger version of the art featured on the stamp, the logo for the Music Icons series, and a list of some of Vaughan’s most popular songs appear on the reverse side. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp and the stamp pane with art created by Bart Forbes.

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 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 http:⁄⁄www.usps.com⁄shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Sarah Vaughan Stamp
U.S. Postal Service
2 Federal Square
Newark, NJ 07102

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 May 29, 2016.

There are eight philatelic products for this stamp issue:

• 586406, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $70.56 (print quantity 1,200)
• 586410 Keepsake, $9.95
• 586416 First-Day Cover, $0.93
• 586418 First-Day Cover Full Pane, $10.34
• 586419 Cancelled Full Pane, $10.34
• 586421 Digital Color Postmark, $1.64
• 586424 Framed Art, $39.95
• 586430 Ceremony Program, $6.95

[Again, a surprise: No no-die-cut press sheets. —LdeV]

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Sarah Vaughan
Item Number: 586400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 16 (1 design)
Series: Music Icons
Issue Date & City: March 29, 2016, Newark, NJ 07102
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Artist: Bart Forbes, Plano, TX
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint – “USPS”
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 16
Print Quantity: 25 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Square
Image Area (w x h): 1.09 x 1.09 in.⁄27.56 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 1.56 in.⁄39.62 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.00 x 7.00 in.⁄177.80 x 177.80 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 21.25 x 21.25 in.⁄539.75 x 539.75 mm
Plate Size: 144 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: none
Marginal Markings: Front: © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Verso text • Promotional text • Barcode (586400) in lower right corner of pane
Back: “Sarah Vaughan”, Music Icons logo • Proprietary text

Updated February 12th: From the USPS: “The Sarah Vaughan first day ceremony in Newark NJ on March 29th is free. What is different is that a free ticket is required for admission. The invitation provides the details about how to obtain your free tickets. Those collectors, enthusiasts and fans of Sarah Vaughan who are located in or near Newark, NJ, may visit the Newark Symphony Hall Box Office, or reserve tickets by phone at 973-643-8014. Living outside New Jersey, order by phone.”

Updated January 13th: According to the USPS Events Calendar, the Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall is at Newark Symphony Hall, 1020 Broad Street. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m., and the dedicating official is Dr. Josh Colin, USPS Area Operation Vice President, Eastern Area.

Updated December 6th: According to the new issue of Linn’s, the Sarah Vaughan commemorative will be issued March 29, 2016 at the Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall in Newark, NJ.  Vaughan was born in Newark in 1924.

From the USPS August 20, 2015:

Sarah Vaughan (1 design)
Music Icons Series
FDOI: First Quarter (Birth date: March 27, 1924)
Format: Pane of 16

Sarah Vaughan (1924–1990) was one of America’s greatest singers, successful in both jazz and pop, with a talent for improvisation and skillful phrasing and a voice that ranged over several octaves.
The stamp art is an oil painting of Vaughan in performance based on a 1955 photograph by Hugh Bell. A few lines of selvage text explain her importance as a Music Icon. The cover side of the pane features a larger version of the stamp art, a list of some of Vaughan’s popular songs, and the Music Icons logo.

Artist: Bart Forbes
Art Director: Ethel Kessler

Notes: The front of the pane is similar to that of other stamps in the Music Icons series:The back of the pane is similar to the stamp design, but includes a list of some of her hits. eingIt’s rumored that someone in the previous USPS stamps or marketing said that Vaughan was not well known and “commercial” enough for a stamp. However, current Stamp Services chief Mary-Anne Penner told The Virtual Stamp Club that Vaughan is being honored because “the American people” asked for this stamp.

Updated March 7th: The Scott Catalogue number is 5056 and the imperforate single is 5056a.

Updated January 21st: From the Postal Bulletin:
On February 2, 2016, in Philadelphia, PA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Richard Allen First-Class Mail® stamp (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 473500).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 2, 2016.

The 39th stamp in the Black Heritage series commemorates preacher, activist, and civic leader Richard Allen (1760–1831), an inspiring figure whose life and work resonate profoundly in American history. This stamp coincides with the 200th anniversary of Allen’s founding of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, one of the most important institutions in African-American life, and his election and consecration as its first bishop. The stamp art is a portrait of Allen, a detail from an 1876 print titled “Bishops of the A.M.E. Church” from the collection of the Library Company of Philadelphia. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp.

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 http://www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Richard Allen Stamp
USPS Retail Manager
3190 South 70th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19153-9751

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 2, 2016.

There are six philatelic products for this stamp issue:

• 473506, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $58.80 (print quantity 200).
• 473508, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $58.80 (print quantity 250).
• 473510 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
• 473516 First-Day Cover, $0.93.
• 473521 Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
• 473530 Ceremony Program, $6.95.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Richard Allen
Item Number: 473500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Black Heritage
Issue Date & City: February 2, 2016, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, 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: 30 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: PMS 556C Green, 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 Sheet Size (w x h): 12.00 x 25.75 in./304.80 x 654.05 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five(5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: “BLACK HERITAGE Celebrating Richard Allen” • Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back: • “BLACK HERITAGE Celebrating Richard Allen”, 39TH IN A SERIES, •Verso-text, © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • UPC Code, • Promotional text

Updated January 13th: According to the USPS events calendar, the ceremony will begin at 12 noon. Dr. Josh Colin, Area USPS Operation Vice President, Eastern Area, will be the dedicating official.

Updated December 6th: According to the new issue of Linn’s, the Richard Allen commemorative will be issued February 2, 2016 at the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, PA.

From the USPS August 20, 2015:

Black Heritage (39th in the series)
FDOI: Quarter 1 (Black History Month) (Birth date: February 14, 1760)
Format: Pane of 20

Preacher, activist, and civic leader Richard Allen (1760–1831) was an inspiring figure whose life and work resonate profoundly in American history. This stamp coincides with the 200th anniversary of Allen’s founding of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, one of the most important institutions in African-American life, and his election as its first bishop.

The stamp art is a portrait of Allen, a detail from an 1876 print titled “Bishops of the A.M.E. Church.” Featuring Allen in the center surrounded by ten other bishops and six historical vignettes, the print is from the collection of the Library Company of Philadelphia.

Art Director: Greg Breeding

Notes: “You’re going to make a lot of people happy with Richard Allen,” said USPS press rep Roy Betts at the briefing.