According to Virtual Stamp Club member Foster Miller, a U.S. Postal Service representative said there will be a stamp for Hank Aaron. Word came at the first-day ceremony for Underground Railroad.

The person did not reveal a date. Best guess would be during “Induction Weekend” at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is Sunday, July 21. However, there are events Friday through Monday.

The photo shown here is from 1974, his last year with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves. Assuming this photo was taken during spring training, as is likely, it is from right before he broke the home run record at the Atlanta home opener on April 8, 1974.

Henry Louis Aaron died in January 2021 at the age of 86, so under current rules, this year is the first opportunity to honor him with a stamp. He has, however, been honored by the USPS before: At the end of the 1973 season, Aaron received a plaque from the postal agency for receiving more mail (930,000 pieces) than any person excluding politicians. The Wikipedia entry is here.

Further information will be posted as we get it.

Updated April 8^th, the 50^th of the 715^th home run:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Unveils Henry “Hank” Aaron Stamp
On 50th Anniversary of Eclipsing Homerun Record

ATLANTA — The U.S. Postal Service today announced it will honor baseball legend Henry “Hank” Aaron with a commemorative Forever stamp.

This stamp celebrates the life and career of Aaron (1934–2021), a giant both on and off the field, who rose from humble beginnings to rewrite the record books while prevailing in the face of racism.

The stamp art features a digital painting of Aaron as a member of the Atlanta Braves, showing his famous right-handed batting stance from the waist up. The selvage showcases a digital painting of Aaron watching the ball he had just hit for his record-breaking 715th home run on April 8, 1974.

Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp and pane with original art by Chuck Styles.

The Hank Aaron stamp will be issued in panes of 20. As a Forever stamp, it will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1 ounce price.

The official first day of issue and stamp dedication ceremony location will be announced at a later date.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #HankAaronStamp.

[On this page, because of the nature of the announcement, the latest information is at the end.]

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions] Announced March 6, 2024
USPS Unveils Betty Ford Stamp
Dedication Will Take Place April 5 in Rancho Mirage, CA

WASHINGTON — On March 6, the U.S. Postal Service revealed the artwork of a commemorative Forever stamp celebrating the life and legacy of former First Lady Betty Ford.

The stamp design was unveiled at the White House by First Lady Jill Biden, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and Susan Ford Bales, daughter of former President Gerald R. Ford and former First Lady Betty Ford.

The dedication ceremony for the Forever stamp will be held April 5 — three days before the 106th anniversary of her birth. The event will take place at the Annenberg Health Sciences Building located at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, CA.

“Betty Ford changed the role of first lady,” said Postmaster General DeJoy. “She used the role not just as a platform to represent the nation and advance and support her husband, she used it to speak openly and honestly about issues she cared about, and about personal issues she faced.”[The stamp is unveiled by (L-R) First Lady Jill Biden, daughter Susan Ford Bales, Dr. Joseph Lee and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.]

Elizabeth Anne Bloomer Ford (1918–2011), wife of the 38th president, was first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. After the Watergate scandal forced the resignation of President Richard Nixon on Aug. 9, 1974, and an earlier scandal pushed out Vice President Spiro Agnew, Gerald Ford became the first U.S. president who had never been elected president or vice president. In her new role as first lady, Betty Ford, impressed the American public in interviews by showing humor and frankness about controversial issues facing the country.

“Mom would be humbled and grateful beyond words for the extraordinary tribute of her commemorative stamp,” said daughter Susan Ford Bales [right], who attended the White House event. “To Mom, the stamp would be a heartwarming reminder of joys of millions of breast cancer and substance use disorder survivors who have overcome their diseases and individually added to her legacy of candor and courage.”

While the Fords never intended to inhabit the White House, Betty Ford embraced the role, becoming the most politically outspoken first lady since Eleanor Roosevelt and helping mold the position’s modern role. [First Lady Jill Biden, shown on the left, said that Mrs. Ford promised to be herself in the White House. “”That was exactly what the country needed: A warm, charming, friendly First Lady, who would help restore a wearied nation’s faith in government.”]

Throughout her husband’s political career, Mrs. Ford openly fought for women’s rights, often conflicting with the Republican Party’s stances. She campaigned tirelessly for the Equal Rights Amendment, which would have mandated constitutional equality for all Americans, regardless of gender.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Mrs. Ford underwent a mastectomy on Sept. 28, 1974. While medical issues of previous first ladies weren’t always disclosed, Mrs. Ford chose to share the story of her treatment for the once-taboo medical condition.

In 1964, Mrs. Ford had begun taking prescription pain pills for a pinched nerve in her neck, developing a substance use disorder over time. In 1978, after an intervention, she entered the Naval Regional Medical Hospital in Long Beach, CA, for treatment. As with her breast cancer, she publicly acknowledged her substance use disorder, changing its perception and putting a face to the disease.

In 1982, Mrs. Ford and former ambassador and close family friend Leonard Firestone established the Betty Ford Center for substance dependency. She agreed to lend her name to the center, hoping to destigmatize substance use disorder treatment at a time when it wasn’t spoken about openly — especially by women — and options for treatment were scarce. Her work helped change the way treatment options and those seeking it are viewed by American society. [On the left, speaking at the unveiling, Dr. Joseph Lee, president and CEO, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.]

The Forever stamp honoring Betty Ford is being issued in panes of 20. News of the stamp will be shared with the hashtag #BettyFordStamp.

Dedication [First Day] Ceremony Information

What: The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate the life and legacy of former First Lady Betty Ford with the issuance of a Forever stamp.

When: April 5, 2024, 11 a.m. PDT

Where: Eisenhower Health
Annenberg Health Sciences Building
Helene Galen Auditorium
39000 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to register at: usps.com/bettyfordstamp

Updated March 7^th:
On April 5, 2024, in Rancho Mirage, CA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Betty Ford stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 484800). This stamp will go on sale nationwide April 5, 2024, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This stamp celebrates the life of Betty Ford (1918–2011), wife of the 38th president, Gerald R. Ford, and first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. As first lady, Mrs. Ford won widespread admiration for her candor and support for women’s rights. The stamp art is a detail from the official 1977 White House portrait by Felix de Cossio (1913–1999). The oil-on-canvas portrait shows Mrs. Ford dressed in a pale blue chiffon dress. The seated portrait was cropped to accommodate the stamp format. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Automatic distribution.

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 store.usps.com/store/home. 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 – Betty Ford 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 August 5, 2024.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Betty Ford Stamp
Item Number: 484800
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 5, 2024, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Art: Felix de Cossio
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 12,000,000
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS 6114C
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.8400 x 1.4200 in. / 21.3360 x 36.0680 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.9800 x 1.5600 in. / 24.8920 x 39.6240 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.0400 x 7.8800 in. / 153.4160 x 200.1520 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 24.1600 x 15.7600 in. / 613.6640 x 400.3040 mm
Plate Size: 160 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: BETTY FORD • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: © 2024 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (484800) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Updated March 22^nd:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.80″ x 1.48″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.62″ x 1.37″

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Reveals Holiday Joy Stamps for 2024

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service today announced four new stamp designs for the 2024 holiday season. Holiday Joy, along with other stamps announced last year, make up only a partial list, with more to be revealed in the weeks and months ahead. All stamp designs are preliminary and subject to change.

Holiday Joy: Four new art-inspired holiday stamp designs feature two colorful Christmas ornaments, a vibrant poinsettia surrounded by greenery, and a whimsical blue flower centered against green leaves and delicate scrollwork. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps and booklet of 20, using original digital illustrations by Michelle Muñoz.

Here are larger versions of the four designs:

Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Announced by the USPS on November 3, 2023:

One of the most renowned and influential artists of the 20th century, Ansel Adams (1902-1984) made thousands of awe-inspiring photographs that collectively create a rich visual portrait of the American landscape. A masterful photographer and dedicated environmentalist, Adams sought to imbue each of his black-and-white prints with the power and wonder he felt in the presence of nature. These 16 stamps feature some of Adams’s most famous images in his signature “straight photography” style, an approach defined by its precision and directness. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps.

Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent info near the top.

Updated April 17^th:
These stamps are now available online for pre-ordering. USPS collectibles have been added to the U.S. 2024 Stamp Program listing for this issue (“USPS Order Numbers”).

Updated April 4^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.98″ x 1.40″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.65″ x 1.25″

From the Postal Bulletin:

On May 15, 2024, in Yosemite National Park, CA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Ansel Adams stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in 16 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 16 stamps (Item 485000). These stamps will go on sale nationwide May 15, 2024, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Ansel Adams commemorative pane of 16 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.

This stamp issuance honors Ansel Adams (1902–1984), one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, best known for his awe-inspiring black-and-white photographs of the American landscape. These 16 stamps feature some of Adams’ most famous images in his signature “straight photography” style, an approach defined by its precision and directness. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps using existing photographs.
Automatic distribution.

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 store.usps.com/store/home. 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 – Ansel Adams 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 September 15, 2024.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Ansel Adams Stamps
Item Number: 485000
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 16 (16 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: May 15, 2024, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photos: Ansel Adams
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 16
Print Quantity: 20,000,000
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: 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): 7.2400 x 7.4100 in. / 183.8960 x
188.2140 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 21.7200 x 22.2300 in. / 551.6880 x
564.6420 mm
Plate Size: 144 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by one (1) single digit
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: ANSEL ADAMS • photographer, 1902 – 1984 • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: Ansel Adams photographs © The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust • © 2023 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (485000) • Plate position diagram (9) • Promotional text

Updated April 3^rd:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Postal Service to Honor Ansel Adams With Stamps Showcasing 16 Stunning Portraits of the American Landscape

What: First-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Ansel Adams Forever stamps featuring 16 photographs made by the esteemed artist and environmentalist. The first-day-of-issue event for the Ansel Adams Forever stamps is free and open to all visitors of Yosemite National Park. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #AnselAdamsStamps.

Who: The Hon. Daniel Tangherlini, a member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, will serve as the dedicating official.
Matthew Adams, grandson of Ansel Adams
Cicely Muldoon, superintendent, Yosemite National Park
Scott Gediman, public affairs officer, Yosemite National Park
Shelton Johnson, park ranger, Yosemite National Park
Alan Ross, photographer

When: May 15, 2024, at 11 a.m. PDT

Where: The Ansel Adams Gallery
9031 Village Drive
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

RSVP: Ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/anseladamsstamps.

Background: Experience the wonder of the American West through the lens of one of America’s most iconic photographers, Ansel Adams (1902-1984). This pane of 16 stamps features some of Adams’ most famous images in his signature “straight photography” style, an approach defined by its precision and directness.The first row of stamps, left to right, features “Half Dome, Merced River, Winter, Yosemite National Park, California” (1938); “Oak Tree, Sunset City, Sierra Foothills, California” (1962); “Thundercloud, Ellery Lake, High Sierra, Sierra Nevada, California” (1934); and “Denali and Wonder Lake, Denali National Park, Alaska” (1947).The second row, left to right, features “The Golden Gate and Bridge from Baker Beach, San Francisco, California” (c.1953); “Road and Fog, Del Monte Forest, Pebble Beach, California” (1964); “Rock and Grass, Moraine Lake, Sequoia National Park, California” (1936); and “Leaves, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington” (c.1942).

The third row, left to right, features “Monument Valley, Arizona” (1958); “Tetons and Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming” (1942); “Jeffrey Pine, Sentinel Dome, Yosemite National Park, California” (1940); and “Mirror Lake, Mount Watkins, Spring, Yosemite National Park, California” (1935).The fourth row, left to right, features “Maroon Bells, near Aspen, Colorado” (1951); “Aspens, Dawn, Autumn, Dolores River Canyon, Colorado” (1937); “Road After Rain, Northern California” (1960); and “Dunes, Oceano, California” (1963).

As evidenced by the striking images in this collection, Adams devoted much of his career to the advancement of photography as a fine art. Derry Noyes, an art director with USPS, designed the stamps using existing photographs.

Updated February 23^rd:
These stamps will be issued May 15 at Yosemite National Park in California.

Announced by the USPS on November 3, 2023:

Carnival Nights celebrates one of America’s favorite pastimes. The stomach-twisting thrill rides, the indulgent snacks and sweets and the general spirit of lighthearted fun make the nation’s carnivals and fairs a place for visitors of any age to enjoy. Ten new stamps in a pane of 20 feature photographs that convey the energy and color of a summer carnival at night. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps with existing photographs.

Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent info near the top.

Updated April 17^th:
These stamps will be available online for pre-ordering on May 6. USPS collectibles have been added to the U.S. 2024 Stamp Program listing for this issue (“USPS Order Numbers”).

Updated February 23^rd:
These stamps will be issued June 6 in Biloxi, Mississippi, which this year is celebrating its 325th birthday.

Announced by the USPS on November 3, 2023:

Legendary coach John Wooden (1910-2010) led the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins to a record-setting 10 Division I men’s basketball national championships. Often considered the greatest coach in the history of American sports, Wooden coached the Bruins to 88 consecutive wins and four perfect (30-0) seasons. The stamp features a portrait of Wooden. In the “UCLA blue” background, a player defends a shot. The numbers on the two players’ jerseys, 4 and 10, evoke the Bruins’ four perfect seasons and the 10 national championships during Wooden’s tenure. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using original artwork by Alexis Franklin.

Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent info near the top.

Updated April 16^th:
The USPS has added a philatelic product: 484525 Framed Stamp, $29.95.

Updated April 1^st:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5833.

Updated February 22^nd:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service to Release Stamp Honoring John Wooden

When: Saturday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. PST

What: The first-day-of-issue event for the new commemorative Forever stamp celebrating the legacy of legendary basketball coach John Wooden.

Who: The Honorable Derek Kan, member of the USPS Board of Governors, will serve as the dedicating official.

Where: Pauley Pavilion, East Plaza
University of California, Los Angeles
325 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095

RSVP: Attendees are encouraged to register at usps.com/johnwoodenstamp.

Details: The dedication ceremony will feature special guests, a presentation on the significance of the stamp, and photo opportunities. The event is free and open to the public.

Customers can preorder the John Wooden stamp online at The Postal Storebeginning Jan. 24.

News of the stamp is being shared on social media with the hashtag#JohnWoodenStamp.

About the Stamp
Legendary coach John Wooden (1910-2010) led the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins to a record-setting 10 Division I men’s basketball national championships. Often considered the greatest coach in the history of American sports, Wooden coached the Bruins to 88 consecutive wins and four perfect (30-0) seasons.

The stamp features a portrait of Wooden. In the “UCLA blue” background, a player defends a shot. The numbers on the two players’ jerseys, 4 and 10, evoke the Bruins’ four perfect seasons and the 10 national championships during Wooden’s tenure.

Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using original artwork by Alexis Franklin.

The John Wooden stamp will be issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20, with 18 million scheduled for production.

Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products online at The Postal Store, by calling 844-737-7826 or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon.

Updated January 28^th:
From the Postal Bulletin
On February 24, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the John Wooden stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 484500). This stamp will go on sale nationwide February 24, 2024, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This stamp issuance honors John Wooden (1910–2010), the legendary coach who led the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins to a record-setting 10 Division I men’s basketball national championships. The stamp features a portrait of Wooden looking intently out beyond the viewer. In the deep “UCLA blue” background, a player defends a shot. The numbers on the two players’ jerseys, 4 and 10, evoke the Bruins’ four perfect seasons and the 10 national championships during Wooden’s tenure. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp using original artwork by Alexis Franklin, based on a photograph by Norm Schindler from the early 1970s.

Automatic distribution.

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 store.usps.com/store/home. 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 – John Wooden 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 June 24, 2024.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: John Wooden Stamp
Item Number: 484500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 24, 2024, Los Angeles, CA 90052
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Alexis Franklin, DeSoto, TX
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 18,000,000
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): 7.2400 x 7.1200 in. / 183.8960 x 180.8480 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 21.7200 x 21.3600 in. / 551.6880 x 542.4400 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits in four corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners
Back: © 2023 USPS • USPS logo • Coach John Wooden™ licensed by John Wooden Legacy, LLC, c/o Luminary Group, LLC • Two barcodes (484500) • Plate position diagram (9) • Promotional text

Updated January 25^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.48″ x 1.46″The Pictorial Postmark (which I think is really clever) measures 2.52″ x 1.24″

Updated January 11^th:
This stamp will be issued February 24^th in Los Angeles.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service to Release Stamp Honoring John Wooden

When: Saturday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. PST

What: The first-day-of-issue event for the new commemorative Forever stamp celebrating the legacy of legendary basketball coach John Wooden.

Who: The Honorable Derek Kan, member of the USPS Board of Governors, will serve as the dedicating official.

Where: Pauley Pavilion, East Plaza
University of California, Los Angeles
325 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095

RSVP: Attendees are encouraged to register at usps.com/johnwoodenstamp.

Details: The dedication ceremony will feature special guests, a presentation on the significance of the stamp, and photo opportunities. The event is free and open to the public.

Customers can preorder the John Wooden stamp online at The Postal Store beginning Jan. 24.

News of the stamp is being shared on social media with the hashtag#JohnWoodenStamp.

About the Stamp: Legendary coach John Wooden (1910-2010) led the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins to a record-setting 10 Division I men’s basketball national championships. Often considered the greatest coach in the history of American sports, Wooden coached the Bruins to 88 consecutive wins and four perfect (30-0) seasons.

The stamp features a portrait of Wooden. In the “UCLA blue” background, a player defends a shot. The numbers on the two players’ jerseys, 4 and 10, evoke the Bruins’ four perfect seasons and the 10 national championships during Wooden’s tenure.

Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using original artwork by Alexis Franklin.

The John Wooden stamp will be issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20, with 18 million scheduled for production.

Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products online at The Postal Store, by calling 844-737-7826 or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon.

Announced by the USPS on November 3, 2023:

This stamp release marks the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, described by its owners as the World’s Greatest Role-playing Game, that has become a cultural phenomenon. By inviting participants to imagine themselves as wizards, warriors and other adventurers in exciting and treacherous fantasy worlds, Dungeons & Dragons opened doors to whole new universes of creativity for generations of players. The pane of 20 stamps features 10 different designs that highlight characters, creatures and encounters familiar to players of the game. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps and pane with existing illustrations.

Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent info near the top.

Updated December 3, 2023:
Additional details about the stamps from Jim McKean of the USPS, via David Dresdner of Colorano and Foster Miller of Everywhere. Click on the thumbnails for larger versions:

A bronze dragon wearing a necklace glances down at a blue plesiosaur in an illustration that appeared in the 2023 book The Practically Complete Guide to Dragons.

The five-headed Tiamat, queen of evil dragons, appears in an illustration that appeared in the 2021 book Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons. Tiamat has been featured in D&D materials since the 1970s and was first encountered by name in the 1977 Monster Manual.

A lone figure lost in a maze, perhaps the victim of a ten-minute “maze” spell, appears in an illustration that appeared in the 2020 book Wizards and Spells: A Young Adventurer’s Guide.

A blue-robed figure casts a “magic missile” spell in artwork that appeared in the 2014 edition of the Player’s Handbook.

The archlich Acererak raises an army of the dead in an illustration that appeared on the cover of the 2014 edition of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Acererak has appeared in D&D materials since 1978, when he debuted in the classic adventure Tomb of Horrors.

Drizzt Do’Urden, the heroic drow ranger featured in dozens of novels and numerous D&D gaming materials since 1988, stands against a wintry backdrop. Drizzt is known for breaking from an evil cult in the Underdark in favor of heroism and friendship on the surface.

A warrior with his back to the viewer fights a massive red dragon in a detail from an illustration that appeared on the box cover of the popular 1983 D&D Basic Set, often known simply as the “red box.” This illustration has since become one of the most recognizable pieces of art in the history of the game.

A character holds a pan of toxic green dragon’s blood over her head, preparing to bathe in it in the hope of gaining magical powers, in an illustration that appeared in the 2021 book Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons.

A death knight rides a nightmare, backed by an army of the undead and a sinister, flame-shrouded castle, in an illustration that appeared in the 2020 book Beasts and Behemoths: A Young Adventurer’s Guide.

A purple worm, a fearsome creature that burrows through the earth and leaves massive tunnels in its wake, rises from the ground and coils, its teeth on display, in an illustration that appeared in the 2014 edition of the Monster Manual.

On the left side of the pane, the selvage features a detail of an illustration showing a party of adventurers encountering a massive green dragon amid a gold-strewn ruin. The illustration previously appeared on the box cover of the D&D Starter Set.

Below the illustration is a photograph of a gold 20-sided die above the Dungeons & Dragons logo with its distinctive ampersand formed from a fire-breathing dragon. Below the logo is a detail of a hand-drawn map of a typical “dungeon,” a network of caverns where D&D players might encounter monsters, traps, and treasure.

Here’s a quick list of the issues announced so far (as of November 30, 2023):

• • • Lunar New Year — Year of the Dragon
    • Love
    • U.S. Flags
    • Constance Baker Motley
    • $1 Floral Geometry
    • Pillars of Creation (Priority Mail)
    • Cosmic Cliffs (Priority Mail Express)
    • Low Denomination Flowers (1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 cents)
    • Save Manatees
    • Underground Railroad
    • Radiant Star
    • Wedding Blooms
    • Celebration Blooms
    • Garden Delights
    • Saul Bellow
    • Pinback Buttons
    • Protect Sea Turtles
    • Shaker Design
    • Horses
    • Bluegrass
    • First Continental Congress, 1774
    • Autumn Colors
    • Christmas Madonna and Child
    • Kwanzaa
    • Hanukkah
    • Winter Whimsy
    • Dungeons & Dragons
    • John Wooden
    • Carnival Nights
    • Ansel Adams

Announced October 23, 2023:

Four new stamps in a booklet of 20 celebrate the winter season with lacy, symmetrical graphic forms inspired by snowflakes. Each stamp in the block of four includes a unique design in white against a background of a single color: navy blue, teal, tan or dark blue-green. Greg Breeding was the art director for the project. Bailey Sullivan designed and illustrated the stamps.

Further information will be posted below the line, with the newest information at the top.