Youth Fellowship Applications Open (2026)

[from official materials] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
YPLF Applications Now Open

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship cohort!

The Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship provides collectors aged 16 to 24 with the opportunity to learn from experts in the hobby and gain experience in their chosen track, fostering a lifelong connection with philately.

Applications will close on February 1, 2026.

And remember, APS members can still nominate a collector to participate in the program via the form linked here. The nomination period is open from now until January 15, 2026.

Canada Post Outlines 2026 Stamps

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
2026 stamp lineup celebrates Canadian hip-hop, a sweet and timeless Quebec tradition, and much more
Canada Post captures the spirit of Canada through the people, events and stories featured in upcoming stamp issues

OTTAWA – Today Canada Post announced its 2026 stamp lineup, which features several milestones, people and cultural events that have helped define Canadian identity.

Here are some highlights:

  • Next year’s annual Black History Month stamp dives into the careers and achievements of Canadian hip-hop pioneers.
  • Colourful scenes from the temps des sucres (sugaring-off season) and Quebec’s cabanes à sucre (sugar shacks) – traditions that are part of the intangible heritage of Quebec – grace these stamps.
  • The popular Places of Pride issue returns, remembering significant events and locations across Canada that 2SLGBTQIA+ people fought to make their own.
  • A new stamp commemorates the 100th anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion, known for its National Poppy Campaign and roughly 1,350 branches that serve as community hubs across the country.
  • A fascinating look at four wolf species found across Canada.
  • In response to a growing demand for blood donations, a new stamp raises awareness and encourages Canadians to give.
  • A set of three eerie jack-o’-lanterns help kick off October’s spooky season.

The list of new stamps also includes the continuation of several popular annual series with a fresh take for 2026:

  • New Truth and Reconciliation stamps commemorate Orange Shirt Day.
    • The annual flower series showcases the delicate blooms of ornamental cherry blossoms.
    • A stamp raising funds for the Canada Post Community Foundation aims to deliver a brighter future for children and youth.
    • For Remembrance Day, a new design commemorates the service of Chinese Canadians sent on secret missions behind Japanese lines in Asia.
    • Unique stamps celebrate the holidays of Eid, Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas.

    Individually, the stamps tell their own rich stories. Collectively, they paint a bigger picture of what makes Canada special. The independent Stamp Advisory Committee recommends subjects for the annual program, and members rely on thoughtful input from groups and individuals to choose subjects that capture important themes and histories that reflect the shared values of Canadians nationwide.

    [en Francais pour les médias d’information]
    Le programme des timbres-poste de 2026 célèbre le hip-hop canadien, une délicieuse tradition québécoise et plus encore
    Postes Canada saisit l’esprit du pays à travers les personnes, les événements et les histoires dont parlent ses prochaines émissions de timbres.

    OTTAWA – Aujourd’hui, Postes Canada a dévoilé son programme de timbres-poste de 2026 qui inclura des personnes, des moments marquants et des événements culturels qui aident à définir l’identité canadienne.

    En voici les points saillants :

    • Le timbre annuel du Mois de l’histoire des Noirs saluera la carrière et les réalisations de pionniers et pionnières du hip-hop canadien.
    • Des timbres illustreront par des scènes colorées le temps des sucres et la cabane à sucre, des traditions inscrites au patrimoine immatériel du Québec.
    • La très populaire émission de timbres sur les Lieux de la Fierté sera de retour, nous rappelant les événements et endroits importants au Canada pour lesquels la communauté 2ELGBTQIA+ s’est battue.
    • Un nouveau timbre commémoratif soulignera le 100e anniversaire de la Légion royale canadienne, connue pour sa Campagne nationale du Coquelicot et ses quelque 1 350 filiales qui servent de carrefours communautaires à l’échelle du pays.
    • Des timbres jetteront un regard fascinant sur quatre espèces de loups que l’on retrouve au Canada.
    • Un nouveau timbre sensibilisera la population canadienne à la demande croissante pour les dons de sang et l’encouragera à se retrousser les manches.
    • Un trio de citrouilles illuminées donnera le coup d’envoi à l’effrayante saison d’octobre.

    La liste des nouveaux timbres comprend également la suite de plusieurs séries annuelles populaires, revampées pour 2026 :

    • De nouveaux timbres sur la vérité et la réconciliation en commémoration de la Journée du chandail orange.
    • Les délicates fleurs de cerisiers ornementaux pour la série annuelle sur les fleurs.
    • Un timbre philanthropique pour la Fondation communautaire de Postes Canada dont l’objectif est d’offrir un avenir meilleur aux enfants et aux jeunes du pays.
    • Pour le jour du Souvenir, un timbre commémoratif au sujet du service des Canadiens d’origine chinoise envoyés en mission secrète derrière les lignes japonaises en Asie.
    • Des vignettes uniques pour célébrer l’Aïd, Diwali, Hanoukka et Noël.

    Individuellement, chaque timbre raconte une riche histoire. Ensemble, ils brossent le tableau de ce qui rend le Canada unique. Le Comité consultatif sur les timbres-poste, qui travaille de façon indépendante, recommande les sujets du programme annuel, en s’appuyant sur la contribution réfléchie de groupes et de particuliers pour choisir des histoires et des thèmes importants qui reflètent les valeurs de la population canadienne.

 

New APS Tech Director

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
APS Welcomes New Director of Technology and Innovation

The APS is pleased to welcome its new Director of Technology and Innovation, Stephanie Katz. Stephanie is an interdisciplinary thinker and strategist with 15 years of experience managing digital projects, developing data analytics dashboards, and leading website search engine optimization (SEO) initiatives. Her career spans roles with the federal government, museums and cultural organizations, and a marketing agency serving Fortune 500 clients. Most recently, she worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Atmospheric Protection, where she led Microsoft 365 tool implementation and analytics efforts. Her contributions were recognized with multiple agency awards for driving impact, improving team efficiency, and leading the adoption of modernization efforts.

“We’re very excited for Stephanie to join us,” said Executive Director Kirk Gillis. “Her strong analytical skills and proven experience in digital strategy, SEO, and project management will be crucial as we embark on a comprehensive digital transformation of the APS.”

As a Fulbright Predoctoral Research Scholar, Stephanie supported a digital transformation initiative at Spain’s Prado Museum, one of the most visited museums in the world. Earlier in her career, she spent several years working internationally in South America as an educator and bilingual interpreter. She also served as an instructional designer for the University of Queensland’s satellite campus in northern Chile.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College, a Master of Science in Arts Administration, Museum Leadership, and Marketing from Drexel University, and a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. She is currently a volunteer with the U.S. Digital Response and contributes her time to several mission-driven organizations in her local community.

Welcome aboard, Stephanie!

USPS Announces 2026 Shipping Services Stamps

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
2026 Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express Stamps Announced
First-day-of-issue dates and locations through March 2026 also revealed

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced the Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express stamps it will release in 2026. There will be additional stamp subjects to be announced in the coming weeks and months. These designs are preliminary and may change.

Crab Nebula (Priority Mail)
This new Priority Mail stamp celebrates America’s continued exploration of deep space with a breathtaking image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. One of the most frequently observed celestial bodies, the Crab Nebula is one of the brightest remnants of an exploded star in the night sky. Located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, Webb captured this new Crab Nebula image in vivid infrared detail revealing previously unseen features that contribute to our broader understanding of stellar life cycles. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using a photo courtesy of NASA. Upon favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the stamp will be denominated at the new Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope rate and an issue date will be announced. (VSC page is here)

Galaxy Pair (Priority Mail Express)
This new Priority Mail Express stamp features another astounding image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The stamp features a composite image from the Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes titled Galaxy Pair. It reveals a view of two interacting galaxies, IC 2163 and NGC 2207, located approximately 80 million light-years from Earth, offering a glimpse into the dynamic processes that shape our universe. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp, using a photo courtesy of NASA. Upon favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the stamp will be denominated at the new Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope rate and an issue date will be announced. (VSC page is here)

Galaxy Pair Priority Mail Express (U.S. 2026)

Announced by the USPS on December 12, 2025:

This new Priority Mail Express stamp features another astounding image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The stamp features a composite image from the Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes titled Galaxy Pair. It reveals a view of two interacting galaxies, IC 2163 and NGC 2207, located approximately 80 million light-years from Earth, offering a glimpse into the dynamic processes that shape our universe. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp, using a photo courtesy of NASA. Upon favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the stamp will be denominated at the new Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope rate and an issue date will be announced.

Further information will appear below the line, with the most recent information at the top.


Updated March 6th:
Technical Specifications:

Issue: Galaxy Pair Stamp
Item Number: 129600
Denomination &
Type of Issue: $33.25 Priority Mail Express® Rate
Format: Pane of 4 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 24, 2026, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Image: Photo courtesy of NASA
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 4
Print Quantity: 400,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.4200 X 1.0850 in. / 36.0680 X 27.5590 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 1.5600 X 1.2250 in. / 39.6240 X 31.1150 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.1200 X 3.4500 in. / 104.6480 X 87.6300 mm.
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in two corners
Back: © 2025 USPS • USPS logo • Four barcodes (129600) • Plate position diagram (10) • Promotional text

Updated February 10th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 3.07″ x 1.39″

There is no Pictorial Postmark for this issue, just the FDOI “killer bars.”

Updated February 5th:
This stamp will be issued February 24 without a ceremony.

On February 24, 2026, in Kansas City, MO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the $33.25 Galaxy Pair Priority Mail Express® stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of four stamps (Item 129600). This stamp will go on sale nationwide February 24, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This new Priority Mail Express® stamp celebrates America’s continued exploration of deep space with another breathtaking image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The stamp features a composite James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) and Hubble Space Telescope image titled Galaxy Pair. This image reveals a view of two interacting galaxies, IC 2163 and NGC 2207, located approximately 80 million light-years from Earth, offering a glimpse into the dynamic processes that shape our universe. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp, using a photo courtesy of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

Item 129600, $33.25 Galaxy Pair Priority Mail Express Stamp

No automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
The first-day-of-issue postmark is a postmark notating the day a stamp is first authorized for use by the Postal Service™. Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. All requests for first-day-of-issue postmarks (Traditional or Digital Color Postmark) should be sent to the following address with the choice of Traditional or DigitalColor Postmark identified. All orders must be postmarked by June 24, 2026.

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

Technical details are not yet available.

Crab Nebula Priority Mail (U.S. 2026)

Announced by the USPS on December 12, 2025:

This new Priority Mail stamp celebrates America’s continued exploration of deep space with a breathtaking image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. One of the most frequently observed celestial bodies, the Crab Nebula is one of the brightest remnants of an exploded star in the night sky. Located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, Webb captured this new Crab Nebula image in vivid infrared detail revealing previously unseen features that contribute to our broader understanding of stellar life cycles. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using a photo courtesy of NASA. Upon favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the stamp will be denominated at the new Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope rate and an issue date will be announced.

Further information will appear below the line, with the most recent information at the top.


Updated March 6th:
Technical Specifications:

Issue: Crab Nebula Stamp
Item Number: 129700
Denomination & Type of Issue: $11.95 Priority Mail® Rate
Format: Pane of 4 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 24, 2026, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Image: Photo courtesy of NASA
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 4
Print Quantity: 1,500,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.4200 X 1.0850 in. / 36.0680 X 27.5590 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 1.5600 X 1.2250 in. / 39.6240 X 31.1150 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.1200 X 3.4500 in. / 104.6480 X 87.6300 mm.
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in two corners
Back: © 2025 USPS • USPS logo • Four barcodes (129700) • Plate position diagram (10) • Promotional text

Updated February 10th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 3.12″ x 1.39″There is no Pictorial Postmark for this issue, just the FDOI “killer bars.”

Updated February 5th:

This stamp will be issued February 24 without a ceremony.

On February 24, 2026, in Kansas City, MO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the $11.95 Crab Nebula Priority Mail® stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of four stamps (Item 129700). This stamp will go on sale nationwide February 24, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This new Priority Mail® stamp celebrates America’s continued exploration of deep space with another breathtaking image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. One of the most frequently observed celestial bodies, the Crab Nebula is one of the brightest remnants of an exploded star in the night sky. Located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, Webb captured this new Crab Nebula image in vivid infrared detail revealing previously unseen features that contribute to our broader understanding of stellar life cycles. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp using a photo courtesy of NASA (National Aeronautics Space Agency).

Item 129700, $11.95 Crab Nebula Priority Mail Pane of Four Stamps

No automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
The first-day-of-issue postmark is a postmark notating the day a stamp is first authorized for use by the Postal Service™. Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. All requests for first-day-of-issue postmarks (Traditional or Digital Color Postmark) must be sent to the following address with the choice of Traditional or Digital Color Postmark identified. All orders must be postmarked by June 24, 2026.

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

Technical details are not yet available.

Mellone Cachet Catalogues Republished

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
AFDCS Republishes Mellone Cachet Catalogues

All 18 volumes of the Mellone’s Planty Photo Encyclopedia of Cacheted First Day Covers, encompassing issues from 1901 through 1939, are now available from the American First Day Cover Society, either as digital downloads or computer-printed unbound copies punched for looseleaf notebooks. That includes the long out-of-print Volume 17 that catalogues the Baseball Centennial issue of 1939, Scott 855.

The AFDCS obtained permission from Michael A. Mellone’s estate to reprint his important books on first day covers. Eventually, the society hopes to expand and update the listings. Already, Volumes 1 through 6 include updates that were published in First Days, the official journal of the society. The catalogues may be ordered from the AFDCS website, www.afdcs.org/catalogs.

“First day cover catalogs are essential for any collector of first day covers,” said Publications Committee chair Mick Zais. “They identify cachet makers and establish rough measures of scarcity and desirability. Providing these catalogs online is a great service that the American First Day Cover Society provides to its members and the public.”

Also available are reprints of Mellone’s Specialized Cachet Catalog of FDCs of the 1940s and the 1950s. A reprint of the 1960s catalogue should be available soon.

The cachet catalogues by Prof. Earl Planty first appeared in the 1970s, but Mellone’s FDC Publishing Co. was responsible for refining and expanding the concept and making the books available to a wider audience. The knowledge contained in these books revolutionized first day cover collecting, allowing philatelists to know what they had and what they didn’t have.

The AFDCS is the largest not-for-profit first day cover society in the world, with members in more than half a dozen countries. It publishes its award-winning journal, First Days, six times a year, as well as original handbooks, catalogues and YouTube videos, and is a co-sponsor of the annual Great American Stamp Show. It holds an annual cachetmaking contest and encourages philatelic exhibiting and writing about FDCs.

The AFDCS Publications Committee —Zais, Education Department chair Michael Lake, Tris Fall, Doug George and Pat Morgan —is working on reprints of other FDC Publishing works. The AFDCS also offers catalogues for specific issues, ranging from the 1969 Moon Landing stamp (Sc. C76) to Cats and Elvis.

There are lower prices for AFDCS members. Membership begins at $24 a year. The different options are listed at www.afdcs.org/Join-AFDCS

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

Victoria-Era Stamps (UK 2025)

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Revives Classic Stamps of the Victorian Era — with a Unique Additional Feature

  • Issue date: 27 November. This is the final issue of 2025.
  • The set brings together eight classic stamps issued during the reign of Queen Victoria
  • For the first time in the modern stamp programme, this set includes a unique feature: a watermark image printed on the reverse of each stamp, echoing the original security design from when they were first issued
  • The stamps and a range of collectible products are available from today (20 November) at www.royalmail.com/queenvictoria and by telephone on 03457 641641

Royal Mail has unveiled a set of stamps that pay tribute to some of the most iconic designs in British postal history.

From the groundbreaking Penny Black of 1840, the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, to later classics such as the Penny Red, Penny Lilac, and the elegant 4d ‘Jubilee’ of 1887, the collection charts the evolution of British philately during Queen Victoria’s reign, which transformed communication forever. Each stamp features her unmistakable profile, a constant presence throughout more than six decades on the throne.
The main set includes eight 1st Class stamps:

  • Penny Black (1840)
  • Twopenny Blue (1841), 6d embossed (1854) and 4d first letterpress (1855)
  • 1s small letters (1862) and Penny Red (1864)
  • Penny Lilac (1881) and 4d ‘Jubilee’ (1887)

Together, these stamps tell the story of a period defined by progress, invention and a monarch whose image became synonymous with the very act of sending a letter.

For the first time in the modern stamp programme, this set includes a unique feature: a watermark image printed on the reverse of each stamp, echoing the original anti-forgery design from when they were first issued. Each watermark corresponds to the era in which the original Victorian stamp was issued.

Accompanying the main set is a miniature sheet containing four stamps inspired by Queen Victoria’s personal passion for photography. Featuring four evocative portraits of the monarch, they offer an intimate glimpse of the life and image of a queen whose likeness became emblematic of an empire.

The photographs shown in each of these stamps show Queen Victoria at different stages of her reign — from a young queen in the 1850s to the dignified matriarch of empire in her later years. Alongside the stamps sits a striking portrait of Victoria, framed in a decorative border that reflects the artistry of the age.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “Each of these stamps is a miniature masterpiece. Taken together, they tell the story of a communication revolution. By revisiting these iconic designs, we honour the enduring legacy of Queen Victoria, the origins of the modern postal service, and the timeless elegance of British stamps.”

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/queenvictoria and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 12 stamps is priced at £21.30. The stamps go on general sale from 27 November.


In addition to the usual philatelic products, this issue includes a prestige booklet, three different coin covers (the gold one, shown here, is £4,160, or US$5,461), and a press sheet.
The watermarks:

Graphic Novelists (Canada 2025)

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Latest stamp series showcases six more Canadian graphic novelists
The second in a two-part stamp issue features original works from some of the medium’s most celebrated artists

Issue date: 20 November

MONTRÉAL – Canada Post is excited to unveil the second stamp issue in its two-part series celebrating Canada’s best-loved graphic novelists. The set of six stamps highlights the works and cultural contributions of Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley, and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, whose artistry embodies the creativity and originality of the graphic novel medium.

Graphic novels – which can include anthologies, memoirs, and other works – creatively interweave words and art. This narrative art form has rapidly grown in popularity since finding a mainstream audience over the last half-century. The six graphic novelists recognized in these stamps have all earned global acclaim for their works and continue a long line of Canadian artists and storytellers honoured by Canada Post.

The stamp issue features six influential Canadian artists:

  • Kate Beaton is the creator of the autobiographical Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, which depicts her experience of working in the Northern Alberta oil sands and in 2023 became the first graphic novel to win CBC’s prestigious Canada Reads competition.
  • Jimmy Beaulieu is a prominent figure in the francophone comic book community and with a number of titles to his name, including 2013’s Non-aventures : planches à la première personne, a collection of anecdotes and reflections of the ordinary “non adventures” of his everyday life in Montréal.
  • Guy Delisle uses a simplistic drawing style and sparse, candid storytelling to chronicle his extensive travels in places like North Korea, Burma, as well as parts of Palestine, the West Bank, and Israel, which became the basis of the award-winning Chroniques de Jérusalem.
  • Julie Doucet is included in the Joe Shuster Awards’ Canadian Comic Book Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Grand Prix for lifetime achievement at the Angoulême International Comics Festival – the most prestigious award in the comics industry. Her autobiographical works include Journal (365 Days).
  • Bryan Lee O’Malley is the writer and illustrator behind the popular Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series, which found a cult audience and spawned a popular major motion picture, video game, and animated series.
  • Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is a multimedia visual artist who created his own illustrative style by blending Asian brush techniques with North Pacific Indigenous iconography, which can be seen in his 2009 graphic novel, Red: A Haida Manga.

About the stamp issue
The stamp issue features a collaborative design approach: Each graphic novelist worked with Canada Post and Subplot Design Inc. to create original drawings, exclusively for this stamp issue, featuring the main characters from one of their most celebrated works depicted reading the novels in which they appear. Printed by Lowe-Martin, the issue includes a booklet of 12 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps (two for each graphic novelist) and six Official First Day Covers – one for each novelist. [see below]

The stamps and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un jeu de timbres présente six artistes de romans graphiques du Canada
Cette nouvelle émission de timbres, la deuxième d’une série en deux volets, présente des œuvres originales de six bédéistes parmi les plus célèbres.

MONTRÉAL – Postes Canada est ravie de dévoiler la deuxième émission de timbres de sa série en deux parties qui rend hommage à des artistes de romans graphiques parmi les plus populaires au Canada. Le jeu de six timbres met en valeur l’œuvre et la contribution culturelle de Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley et Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, dont l’art incarne la créativité et l’originalité du roman graphique.

Les romans graphiques, qui peuvent comprendre des anthologies, des mémoires et d’autres œuvres, intègrent de façon créative l’art et les mots. En réussissant à toucher le grand public, cette forme d’art narratif a rapidement gagné en popularité au cours des 50 dernières années. Mondialement célèbres pour leurs réalisations, les six artistes de romans graphiques qui figurent sur ces timbres s’ajoutent à la longue lignée d’artistes et de conteuses et conteurs du pays à qui Postes Canada rend hommage.

L’émission de timbres met en vedette six artistes d’influence :

  • Kate Beaton est la créatrice de l’ouvrage autobiographique Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands (Environnement toxique), qui illustre son expérience de travail dans la région des sables bitumineux du nord de l’Alberta et qui, en 2023, est devenu le premier roman graphique à remporter le prestigieux concours Canada Reads de CBC.
  • Jimmy Beaulieu est une personnalité importante du milieu francophone de la bande dessinée. Il est l’auteur de plusieurs œuvres, dont Non-aventures : planches à la première personne (2013), un recueil d’anecdotes et de réflexions sur son train-train quotidien à Montréal.
  • Guy Delisle raconte, avec des traits simples et une plume franche et minimaliste, ses longs voyages dans des endroits comme la Corée du Nord et la Birmanie, ainsi que dans certaines régions de la Palestine, de la Cisjordanie et d’Israël, ayant inspiré l’œuvre primée Chroniques de Jérusalem.
  • Julie Doucet est intronisée au Temple de la renommée de la bande dessinée canadienne lors des prix Joe-Shuster et a reçu le Grand Prix pour l’ensemble de sa carrière au Festival international de la bande dessinée d’Angoulême, la plus prestigieuse récompense du monde de la bande dessinée. Ses œuvres autobiographiques comprennent Journal.
  • Bryan Lee O’Malley est l’auteur et l’illustrateur de la populaire série de romans graphiques Scott Pilgrim, qui a connu un succès culte et qui a été adaptée au cinéma, en jeu vidéo et en série de dessins animés.
  • Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas est un artiste visuel multimédia qui a créé son propre style d’illustration en combinant techniques de pinceaux asiatiques et iconographie autochtone du nord-est du Pacifique. Il utilise ce style unique dans son roman graphique de 2009, Red: A Haida Manga (Red : un manga haïda, 2020).

À propos de l’émission de timbres
Les timbres ont été créés grâce à une collaboration entre les artistes de romans graphiques, Postes Canada et Subplot Design Inc. Les dessins originaux, créés exclusivement pour cette émission de timbres, montrent le personnage principal de l’une des œuvres les plus célèbres de chaque bédéiste en train de lire le roman dont il est la vedette. Imprimée par Lowe-Martin, l’émission comprend un carnet de 12 timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur (deux pour chaque artiste) et six plis Premier Jour officiels, un pour chaque artiste.

Les timbres et les articles de collection sont en vente sur postescanada.ca et dans les comptoirs postaux partout au pays.

US “Shipping Services” Rates Going Up In January

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Recommends New Competitive Prices for 2026

  • Postal Service continues to offer great values for shipping and reliable service to the American people.
  • Pricing actions are part of a balanced approach under the Postal Service’s 10-year transformation plan for achieving financial sustainability and service excellence.
  • As previously announced, the Postal Service will not raise prices in January for Mailing Services; the price of a First-Class Mail stamp will remain unchanged.

WASHINGTON — The Postal Service has filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for Shipping Services price changes to take effect Jan. 18, 2026. The proposed adjustments were approved by the governors of USPS this week.

The change would raise prices approximately 6.6 percent for Priority Mail service, 5.1 percent for Priority Mail Express service, 7.8 percent for USPS Ground Advantage and 6.0 percent for Parcel Select.

Although Mailing Services price increases are based on the consumer price index, Shipping Services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions. The governors believe these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the organization with needed revenue. As the Postal Service previously announced, the organization will not raise prices in January for Mailing Services. This means the price of a First-Class Mail stamp will not change.

As part of the Postal Service’s network modernization and transformation plan, these proposed changes will support creation of a revitalized organization capable of achieving its public service mission — providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress has intended.

The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.arkcase.com/portal/filings. The Shipping Services filing is Docket No. CP2026-2. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.


This table was compiled by The Virtual Stamp Club:

Flat-RateProduct
Priority Mail Express
Priority Mail
Current Prices1
$33.40
$10.40
New Prices2
$33.40
$11.90

1 Prices with the holiday surcharges that are in effect until January 18.
2 The Postal Regulatory Commission does not rule on “shipping service” rates. These are a “done deal.”