From the USPS press release November 15, 2024:
Covering almost 2,200 miles of footpath along one of Earth’s most ancient mountain ranges, the century- old Appalachian National Scenic Trail is within easy reach of large metropolitan areas of the East Coast. The Appalachian Trail is maintained by a network of volunteer clubs, led by the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy. This pane of 15 stamps includes a photographic view from each of the 14 states along the Maine-to-Georgia trail with an additional stamp showing stretches of trail through dense forest. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps with images from various photographers.
Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent information at the top.
Updated January 23rd:
On February 28, 2025, in Dawsonville, GA, the United States Postal Service® will issue The Appalachian Trail stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in 15 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 15 stamps (Item 486100). These stamps will go on sale nationwide February 28, 2025, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Appalachian Trail commemorative pane of 15 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.
This stamp issuance celebrates the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, almost 2,200 miles of footpath along one of Earth’s most ancient mountain ranges, yet within easy reach of large metropolitan areas of the East Coast. A pane of 15 photographic stamps showcases the scenic variety found along this Maine-to-Georgia trail, commonly known as the Appalachian Trail or by the initials A.T. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps using existing photographs.
Automatic distribution.
There is a special postmark that post offices other than the first-day city may use.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office® or at the Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
FDOI – The Appalachian Trail Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by June 28, 2025.
Technical Spccifications:
Issue: The Appalachian Trail Stamps
Item Number: 486100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 15 (15 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 28, 2025, Dawsonville, GA 30534
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Existing Photo: Dave Allen
Existing Photo: Justin Birt
Existing Photo: Sandra Burm
Existing Photo: Jenna Foster
Existing Photo: Ed Heaton
Existing Photo: Angelo Marcialis
Existing Photo: Brent McGuirt
Existing Photo: Hanit Mizrachi Avondoglio
Existing Photo: Jessica Rodriguez
Existing Photo: Kevin Rohn
Existing Photo: Nico Schueler
Existing Photo: Bart Smith
Existing Photo: Ryan Tasto
Existing Photos: Drew Housten
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 15
Print Quantity: 34,500,000
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42000 x 0.8400 in. / 36.0680 x 21.3360 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 1.5600 x 0.9800 in. / 39.6240 x 24.8920 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.7000 x 6.2500 in. / 144.7800 x 158.7500 mm.
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: © 2024 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (486100) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text
Updated January 16th:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Take a Hike With New Forever Stamps
Featuring the Appalachian Trail
What: The U.S. Postal Service will release stamps honoring the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which offers nearly 2,200 miles of unspoiled nature to the millions who hike it each year. Within easy reach of large East Coast metropolitan areas, the Appalachian Trail — often called the AT — provides peace, beauty and a break from the stresses of modern life.
The pane of 15 Forever stamps is arranged in five horizontal rows of three stamps featuring scenic images taken along the trail, which spans 14 states from Maine to Georgia.
Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the pane using existing photographs.
The first-day-of-issue event for The Appalachian Trail stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #AppalachianTrailStamps.
Who: The honorable Daniel Tangherlini, member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors.
When: Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET
Where:
Amicalola Falls State Park
418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/appalachiantrailstamps.
Background: The Postal Service celebrates new Forever stamps featuring images of the Appalachian Trail. The trail, also known as the AT, was established on the notion that in the increasingly hectic and industrialized world, it is physically and spiritually restorative for an individual to ramble, one step at a time, through unspoiled nature.
Updated December 16th:
These stamps will be issued February 28 in Dawsonville, GA.