From the USPS on October 29, 2025:

In 2026, Colorado will be honored with a stamp for its 150th anniversary. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and the awe-inspiring beauty of the Rocky Mountains, our 38th state joined the Union 100 years after the United States declared independence from the United Kingdom. The Colorado Statehood stamp features a photograph of Jagged Mountain, located in the Weminuche Wilderness area of the San Juan National Forest. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with an existing photograph by Colorado nature photographer John Fielder (1950-2023). The Colorado Statehood stamp will be issued Jan. 24 in Denver.

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

Updated March 3^rd:
The Scott catalogue number for this stamp is 6052.

Updated January 8^th:

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Colorado Statehood Stamp
Item Number: 487700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 24, 2026, Denver, CO 80299
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photo: John Fielder
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 16,000,000 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 0.8400 in. / 36.0680 x 21.3360 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 1.5600 x 0.9800 in. / 39.6240 x 24.8920 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.2400 x 5.9200 in. / 183.8960 x 150.3680 mm.
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 21.7200 x 11.8400 in. / 551.6880 x 300.7360 mm.
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners of pane
Back: © 2025 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (487700) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Updated December 29^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.41″ x 1.46″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.21″ x 1.20″

Updated December 27^th:
On January 24, 2026, in Denver, CO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Colorado Statehood stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 487700). This stamp will go on sale nationwide January 24, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This stamp celebrates the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood. Colorado became the 38th state in the Union on August 1, 1876. The stamp features a photograph of Jagged Mountain taken by Colorado nature photographer John Fielder (1950–2023). Jagged Mountain is located in the Weminuche Wilderness area of the San Juan National Forest. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Item 487700, Pane of 20 Stamps

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

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by May 24, 2026.

Technical details will appear in a future edition of the Postal Bulletin.
7^th:

Updated December 17^th:

[ceremony details] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Colorado Statehood Stamp To Be Issued Jan. 24

What: The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate the 150th anniversary of Colorado becoming a state with the issuance of Colorado Statehood, a Forever stamp featuring aphotograph of Jagged Mountain by nature photographer John Fielder. The first-day-of-issue event is free and open to the public.

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

Who: The Honorable Amber F. McReynolds, Chairwoman
USPS Board of Governors
Dedicating Official

When: Saturday, Jan. 24, 9:00 a.m. MST

Where:
History Colorado Center
1200 Broadway
Denver, CO 80203

The stamp unveiling is being held in conjunction with the opening of the “Mountains Majesty: On the Summit with John Fielder” exhibition.

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

Background: Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary of statehood in 2026. It became the 38th state in the Union on August 1, 1876.

Colorado is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and the awe-inspiring beauty of the majestic Rocky Mountains. The name “Colorado” comes from “colored red (or ruddy)”, which is how Spanish explorers described the silt of the Colorado River.

Nicknamed the Centennial State, Colorado joined the Union 100 years after the United States declared independence from Great Britain. Its average elevation is approximately 6,800 feet, the highest of all the states.

Colorado is known for its world-renowned ski areas and resorts and more than 39,000 miles of hiking trails. It has many state parks and four national parks: Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, and Mesa Verde. Forest preserves, national monuments, and wildlife areas also provide endless opportunities for four-season adventures. Colorado has hundreds of ghost towns, numerous craft breweries, and many museums such as the History Colorado Center, Denver Art Museum, Ute Indian Museum, the Cripple Creek Historic District Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum. It is also home to a thriving local food movement, which includes a collaboration of food hubs and nonprofit organizations dedicated to expanding access to locally grown and produced foods.

The numerous archaeological sites throughout Colorado speak to the richness and complexity of the people who have shaped the state’s heritage. Ancestral Puebloans built many spectacular stone villages called cliff dwellings in the southwestern part of the state. Many other Native American Tribes including the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Apache, Comanche, Kiowa, Pawnee, Shoshone and Lakota have and continue to call Colorado home.

From the USPS on October 29, 2025:

Inspired by both mid-century American design and Japanese children’s book illustrations, James Yang created the art for this year’s Love stamps. His illustrations show pairs of stylized birds in a colorful world in which hearts appear, like love itself, in sweet and surprising ways. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps.

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

Updated March 3^rd:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:
6046 red background
6047 gray background
6048 dark blue background
6049 light blue background

Updated January 14^th:
From the USPS’ StampsForever.com website, buried in the story “What Is a First Day of Issuance Cancellation?”
In addition to Kansas City, the special first-day cancellation for the newest Love stamps will also be available at the main Post Offices in Nashville, Tenn., and Reading, Pa

Updated January 8^th:

Wondering why the first-day city is Kansas City and not something like “Love,” “Valentine” or “Romance?” We asked Mike Henry, who coordinates first-day events. “USPS wanted to have the Kansas City Postmark in association with a social media marketing campaign developed around the 2026 Love Stamps.” And guess what company that might have an interest is headquartered in KC? Mike didn’t say, but my guess is Hallmark is involved.

Updated January 8^th:

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Love Stamps
Item Number: 582100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Pane of 20 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 13, 2026, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: James Yang, Brooklyn, NY
Artist: James Yang, Brooklyn, NY
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 75,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.0500 x 0.7700 in. / 26.6700 x 19.5580 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 1.1900 x 0.9100 in. / 30.2260 x 23.1140 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.7600 x 5.5500 in. / 146.3040 x 140.9700 mm.
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 23.0400 x 22.2000 in. / 585.2160 x 563.8800 mm.
Plate Size: 320 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners of pane
Back: © 2025 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (582100) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Updated December 29^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.96″ x 1.54″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.46″ x 1.25″

Updated December 27^th:
On January 13, 2026, in Kansas City, MO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Love stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 582100). These stamps will go on sale nationwide January 13, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

In four scenes, the 2026 Love stamps feature pairs of stylized birds in a colorful world in which hearts appear, like love itself, in sweet and surprising ways. Whether the bird couples on these stamps are exploring branches adorned with hearts, offering a heart-shaped flower as a token of affection, pecking at hearts that fall like spring petals, or nesting in peace under a heart-shaped moon, their behavior sends a universal message: that togetherness marked by small, thoughtful gestures is the essence of a true and loving bond. James Yang designed the stamps and created the original artwork that appears on them. Ethel Kessler served as art director.

Item 582100, Pane of 20 Stamps

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 Digital Color Postmark identified. All orders must be postmarked by May 13, 2026.

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

Technical details will appear in a future edition of the Postal Bulletin.

Updated December 12^th:
These stamps will be issued Tuesday, January 13, with no ceremony. The first-day city is Kansas City, MO.

From the USPS on October 29, 2025:

Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion. He challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. As a boxer, activist and humanitarian, he defied expectations to become a globally celebrated cultural icon. The stamps feature a 1974 Associated Press photo. The name “ALI,” alternating top to bottom, suggests aspects of his career: promotional posters, his legendary movement in the ring, and the chants that greeted him when he traveled the world. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps. The Muhammad Ali stamps will be issued Jan. 15 in Louisville, KY.

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

Updated March 3^rd:
The Scott catalogue numbers for these stamps are 6050 (black lettering and 6051 (red lettering).

Updated January 14^th:
A video from the USPS:

Updated January 8^th:

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Muhammad Ali Stamps
Item Number: 487600
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Pane of 20 (2 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 15, 2026, Louisville, KY 40231
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Existing Photo: AP Images
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 22,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: PMS 4044 C, PMS 503 C, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black,
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): 8.2500 x 7.2500 in. / 209.5500 x 184.1500 mm.
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 16.6250 x 14.6250 in. / 422.2750 x 371.4750 mm.
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Muhammad Ali 1942 – 2018 Boxer, Activist, and Humanitarian • Plate number in bottom two corners of pane
Back: ©2025 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (487600) • Plate position diagram (4) • Muhammad Ali™; Rights of Publicity and Persona Rights: Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC • Promotional text

Updated January 3^rd:

ESPER president Howard Ingram says Lonnie Ali, wife of Muhammad Ali and co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center, and award-winning broadcaster and author Bob Costas will be among the speakers at the first-day ceremony.

Updated December 23^rd:
On January 15, 2026, in Louisville, KY, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Muhammad Ali stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in two designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 487600). These stamps will go on sale nationwide January 15, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Muhammad Ali commemorative pane of 20 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.

Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali™ (1942–2016) was a three-time heavyweight boxing champion. In his life, he challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. Two stamps feature a cropped, black and white AP photo of him from 1974 in his boxing stance. One stamp features the photo of Ali on the top half of the stamp with the name ALI written in dark brown letters below it. “THE GREATEST” runs up the right side of the “I.” On the second stamp, his photo is featured on the bottom half with ALI in red letters above it. Again, “THE GREATEST” runs up the right side of the “I.” The stamps are designed in a checkerboard configuration on the pane. The selvage shows a black and white 1976 AP photo of him in a pinstripe suit, representing his role as a humanitarian. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps and pane.

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 – Muhammad Ali 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 May 15, 2026.

Technical Specifications are not yet available.

Updated December 15^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.91″ x 1.44″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.48″ x 1.06″ The Special postmark for use by other cities measures 2.44″ x 0.93″

[ceremony information] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Honors Muhammad Ali With Forever Stamps
He was a champion in the ring and for humanity causes

What: The U.S. Postal Service will honor Muhammad Ali, known as “The Greatest,” with two stamps. Ali once said, “I should be a postage stamp, because that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.” Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, KY, Ali was known across the globe as a champion in and beyond the boxing ring.

The first-day-of-issue event for the Muhammad Ali Forever stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag#MuhammadAliStamps.

Who: The Honorable Ronald A. Stroman, member of the USPS Board of Governors-

When: Thursday, Jan.15, 2026, at noon EST

Where:
University of Louisville
L & N Federal Credit Union Stadium
Angel’s Envy Bourbon Club
2550 S Floyd St.
Louisville, KY 40208

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

Background: Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was a three-time heavyweight boxing champion. In his life, he challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. At a time when African Americans fought to have a voice, he spoke loud and clear about his beliefs, defying expectations and empowering people around the world on his way to becoming a globally celebrated cultural icon.
Ali’s influence extended far beyond the ring. He used his platform to stand for peace, faith and justice, emerging as a global symbol of courage and compassion. His humanitarian work spanned continents — supporting medical relief, feeding the hungry and speaking up for those in need. In 1998, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and in 2005, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. That same year, Muhammad and his wife, Lonnie, founded theMuhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville.

Muhammad Ali’s life was defined not only by his victories but by his conviction, generosity and enduring belief in the power of love and humanity. His spirit continues to inspire people everywhere, and his legacy lives on as “The Greatest.”

Customers can preorder Muhammad Ali stamps on usps.com and they will be shipped on Jan. 15, 2026.

From the USPS on October 29, 2025:

This 4-cent stamp follows the 2024 release of other low-denomination flower stamps: the 1-cent Fringed Tulip, 2-cent Daffodils, 3-cent Peonies, 5-cent Red Tulips and 10-cent Poppies and Coneflowers. Low-denomination stamps are available in panes of 20 and coils of 10,000. To create these images, photographer Harold Davis backlit the flowers on a lightbox and combined multiple photographic exposures, resulting in a luminous, transparent look. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed these stamps.

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

Updated February 3^rd:
The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are

• 6044 sheet
• 6045 coil

Updated January 8^th:Technical Specifications (sheet stamp):

Issue: Angel’s Trumpets Stamp
Item Number: 129500
Denomination & Type of Issue: Four-cent Denominated, Mail-use
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 9, 2026, Kenosha, WI 53140
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Photo: Harold Davis, Kenosha, WI
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 7,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7300 x 0.8400 in. / 18.5420 x 21.3360 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.8700 x 0.9800 in. / 22.0980 x 24.8920 mm.
Pane Size (w x h): 5.3300 x 4.8800 in. / 135.3820 x 123.9520 mm.
Colors: PMS 7491 C, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Plate Size: 160 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in four corners of pane
Back: © 2025 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (129500) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Technical Specifications (coil stamp):

Issue: Angel’s Trumpets Stamp
Item Number: 762900
Denomination & Type of Issue: Four-cent Denominated, Mail-use
Format: Coil of 10,000 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 9, 2026, Kenosha, WI 53140
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Photo: Harold Davis, Kenosha, WI
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 10,000
Print Quantity: 10,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7300 x 0.8400 in. / 18.5420 x 21.3360 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.8700 x 0.9800 in. / 22.0980 x 24.8920 mm.
Colors: PMS 7491 C, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Plate Size: 540 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by five (5) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 27th stamp below stamp image

Updated December 15^th:
There is only one first-day postmark for this issue:Updated November 29^th:
On January 9, 2026, in Kenosha, WI, the United States Postal Service® will issue the 4-cent Angel’s Trumpets denominated stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 (Item 129500) and a PSA coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 762900). This stamp will go on sale nationwide January 9, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

In 2026, the Postal Service™ will issue the 4-cent Angel’s Trumpet, a new low-denomination definitive stamp. This stamp follows the 2024 release of other low-denomination flower stamps—the 1¢ Fringed Tulip, 2¢ Daffodils, 3¢ Peonies, 5¢ Red Tulips, and 10¢ Poppies and Coneflowers. The new stamp art features four peachy pink angel’s trumpets on a yellow-toned cream background. To create the image, the photographer backlit the flowers on a light box and combined multiple photographic exposures, resulting in a luminous, transparent look. Art director Ethel Kessler designed this stamp with an existing image by photographer Harold Davis.

• Item 129500, Angel’s Trumpets, 4 cents, Pane of 20 Stamps
• Item 762900, Angel’s Trumpets, 4 cents, Coil of 10,000 Stamps

No 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. Each cover must have sufficient postage to meet First-Class Mail requirements. 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 – Angel’s Trumpets 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 May 9, 2026.

Technical Details will appear in a future edition of the Postal Bulletin

Updated November 5^th:
Linn’s Stamp News reports the first-day city for this stamp will be Kenosha, WI at the Midwest Stamp Dealers Association (MSDA) WI/IL Stateline Show. The release date is Friday, January 9.

Those issues announced on October 29, 2025:

• • 4-cent Angel’s Trumpets
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Love
  • Colorado Statehood
  • Black Heritage: Phillis Wheatley
  • Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse
  • Bruce Lee
  • Harriet Powers
  • Lowriders
  • Sunflowers
  • A Day at the Beach
  • Figures of the American Revolution
    • Abigail Adams
    • John Adams
    • Abwalongdongwas
    • James Armistead
    • Cornplanter
    • John Dickinson
    • Benjamin Franklin
    • Elizabeth Freeman
    • Bernardo de Galvez
    • Nathaniel Greene
    • Alexander Hamilton
    • Lemuel Haynes
    • Patrick Henry
    • John Jay
    • Thomas Jefferson
    • Thaddeus Kosciuszko
    • Marquis de Lafayette
    • James Madison
    • Thomas Paine
    • Esther de Berdt Reed
    • Paul Revere
    • Deborah Sampson
    • Baron von Steuben
    • Mercy Otis Warren
    • George Washington
  • Route 66
  • Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult
  • American Bison
  • International Peace
  • Declaration of Independence
  • Sarah Orne Jewett
  • Squirrels & Chipmunks in Winter

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Provides Sneak Peek at 2026 Stamps
Pop culture icons and symbols of America are featured

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced many of the stamps it will release in 2026.

“This early preview of our 2026 stamp program underscores the Postal Service’s commitment to celebrating the artistry and storytelling that make stamps so special,” said Lisa Bobb-Semple, the organization’s Stamp Services director. “Each stamp is a small work of art — an entryway into a larger story that connects people, places and moments in history. This year, we continue to honor that legacy with a diverse range of subjects and designs, from beloved series and commemorative anniversaries to bold new releases that will inspire and excite collectors and admirers alike.”

This is a partial list, with additional stamps to be announced in the coming weeks and months. These designs are preliminary and may change.

4-cent Angel’s Trumpets
This 4-cent stamp follows the 2024 release of other low-denomination flower stamps: the 1-cent Fringed Tulip, 2-cent Daffodils, 3-cent Peonies, 5-cent Red Tulips and 10-cent Poppies and Coneflowers. Low-denomination stamps are available in panes of 20 and coils of 10,000. To create these images, photographer Harold Davis backlit the flowers on a lightbox and combined multiple photographic exposures, resulting in a luminous, transparent look. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed these stamps.

Muhammad Ali
Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion. He challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. As a boxer, activist and humanitarian, he defied expectations to become a globally celebrated cultural icon. The stamps feature a 1974 Associated Press photo. The name “ALI,” alternating top to bottom, suggests aspects of his career: promotional posters, his legendary movement in the ring, and the chants that greeted him when he traveled the world. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps. The Muhammad Ali stamps will be issued Jan. 15 in Louisville, KY.

Love (2026)
Inspired by both mid-century American design and Japanese children’s book illustrations, James Yang created the art for this year’s Love stamps. His illustrations show pairs of stylized birds in a colorful world in which hearts appear, like love itself, in sweet and surprising ways. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps.

Colorado Statehood
In 2026, Colorado will be honored with a stamp for its 150th anniversary. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and the awe-inspiring beauty of the Rocky Mountains, our 38th state joined the Union 100 years after the United States declared independence from the United Kingdom. The Colorado Statehood stamp features a photograph of Jagged Mountain, located in the Weminuche Wilderness area of the San Juan National Forest. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with an existing photograph by Colorado nature photographer John Fielder (1950-2023). The Colorado Statehood stamp will be issued Jan. 24 in Denver.

Black Heritage: Phillis Wheatley
The 49th Black Heritage stamp commemorates Phillis Wheatley (circa 1753-1784), the first author of African descent in the American Colonies to publish a book. As an enslaved woman with an education and prominent social connections, Wheatley occupied a unique and remarkable place in Colonial Boston, and she is often called “the mother of African American literature.” Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with a portrait of Wheatley by internationally acclaimed artist Kerry James Marshall. The Phillis Wheatley stamp will be issued Jan. 29 in Boston.

Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse
In 2026, USPS will honor the Year of the Horse with the seventh stamp in the current Lunar New Year series. Lunar New Year — also referred to as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival — is one of the most widely celebrated cultural holidays in the world. Beginning in 2020, the Postal Service introduced its latest Lunar New Year stamp series, the third in the organization’s history. This collection features paper-cut masks by artist Camille Chew depicting each of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using a photograph of the mask by Sally Andersen-Bruce. The Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse stamp will be issued Feb. 3 in Houston.

Bruce Lee
As the first Asian leading man in American film, Chinese American martial artist, actor and filmmaker Bruce Lee (1940-1973) captivated audiences with his skill, charisma and screen presence and inspired generations of fans. The stamp artwork by Kam Mak features a painting of Lee executing his iconic flying kick. It is set against what Antonio Alcalá, the art director for USPS who designed the stamp, calls “a calligraphic yellow brushstroke,” a reference to the iconic yellow tracksuit Lee wore in “Game of Death.” On the right side of the stamp, BRUCE LEE and USA FOREVER are printed vertically and angled to appear as if Lee’s kick were breaking them in half.

Harriet Powers
Quiltmaker Harriet Powers (1837-1910), who learned to sew while enslaved on a plantation near Athens, GA, stitched works that are celebrated as masterpieces of American folk art and storytelling. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps and pane using details from Powers’s 1898 “Pictorial Quilt,” with its biblical scenes and depictions of local lore.

Lowriders
Low and slow: that’s the lowrider. Outfitted with smaller-than-factory wheels, a fancy paint job and a special hydraulic system, these customized automobiles trace their roots to the 1940s-era working-class Mexican American/Chicano communities of the American Southwest. Five models grace the stamps: a blue 1946 Chevrolet Fleetline named Let the Good Times Roll/Soy Como Soy; a blue 1958 Chevrolet Impala named Eight Figures; a red 1963 Impala named El Rey; an orange 1964 Impala named the Golden Rose; and a green 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme named Pocket Change. The Gothic-style typography and the pinstriping on the stamps and pane evoke the detailed decoration that is a hallmark of the most celebrated lowrider cars. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using photographs by Philip Gordon and Humberto “Beto” Mendoza.

Sunflowers
Available in booklets of 20, this issuance offers the public an attractive stamp for mail use and pays homage to the sunflower, prized by both gardeners and pollinators as a dependable source of nectar and seeds for birds, bees and butterflies. Illustrator Nancy Stahl, who has created more than 40 stamp designs for the Postal Service, says she used as few colors as possible to enhance the brilliance of the sunflowers within the small frame of the stamp. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using Stahl’s original digital art.

A Day at the Beach
For millions of Americans, the beach is the ultimate vacation. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, says these stamps were inspired by her annual summertime trips to beaches in New England. “These little snapshots are reminiscent of those experiences — a break from busy lives and demands throughout the year,” she says. Noyes was drawn to the vitality and “fresh, bold spontaneity” that Gregory Manchess brings to the oil paintings shown on the stamps. “He captures the essence of the subject, even at a very small scale,” she says. “Greg has managed to make these scenes instantly recognizable with just the right amount of visual information.”

Figures of the American Revolution
Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, this pane pays tribute to 25 individuals whose ideas, leadership and sacrifices were vital to achieving American independence and shaping the new nation. Representing a range of roles and perspectives, from political thinkers and military leaders to writers, diplomats and everyday citizens, the honorees reflect the collective effort that defined the Revolution. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the pane, which features original artwork by 13 contemporary artists.

Route 66
With these stamps, the Postal Service celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the legendary highway that originally stretched about 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Dubbed “The Mother Road” by author John Steinbeck, Route 66 forever changed how Americans travel and became a symbol of freedom and adventure. The pane of 16 stamps includes photographs by David Schwartz from each of the eight states Route 66 passes through, with each one repeated twice. The selvage features a photo by Schwartz of the open road rolling through hills in Crookton, AZ, along the longest continuous drivable stretch of Route 66 in the state.

Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult
Since the early days of the republic, these magnificent raptors have appeared on numerous stamps. For a new take on this American icon, the Postal Service will issue a pane of stamps featuring realistic illustrations of bald eagles at different stages of life. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using original paintings by ornithologist and illustrator David Allen Sibley. “While the bald eagle is known to virtually all Americans as our national bird, few people know much about them,” says Sibley. “Showing the series of life stages in these stamps is a simple and visual way to emphasize that the familiar adult eagle has already lived through a series of transitional plumages, finding food, migrating and surviving all of life’s challenges. I hope these stamps spark curiosity and a greater appreciation for the lives of eagles.”

American Bison
The buffalo’s epic story has played an enduring role in shaping America’s identity. Honoring our national mammal while saluting historic philately, this unique stamp features a contemporary photograph of a bison, inset with artwork evoking a 1923 stamp issued when the species was beginning to rebound from near extinction. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using Tom Murphy’s existing photograph and artwork from the century-old stamp, now printed in intaglio.

International Peace
Celebrating the goal of international peace, this stamp features a photograph of an origami crane — a global symbol of hope, peace and healing. The crane was folded by artist and Peace Crane Project founder Sue DiCicco and photographed by Sally Andersen-Bruce. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

Declaration of Independence
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Postal Service pays tribute to the document that gave voice to America’s founding ideals. Designed and created by Juan Carlos Pagan, the stamp art features a typographic treatment of “1776,” the year the declaration was adopted. Each numeral takes the shape of a feather quill pen, a nod to the instruments used to sign the nation’s founding document. Pagan worked under the direction of Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS.

Sarah Orne Jewett
The 35th stamp in the Literary Arts series honors Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909), a lifelong resident of Maine and a foundational figure in American literary regionalism. Her strong female characters have led to a renewed interest in her work, which includes hundreds of short stories as well as novels, poetry and essays. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using an original portrait of Jewett by Mark Summers, with the Maine coast as background, broken by a large ray of sunshine that evokes a scene from her best-known novel, “The Country of the Pointed Firs” (1896).

Squirrels & Chipmunks in Winter
This booklet of 20 stamps features three of winter’s most spirited small mammals: two eastern chipmunks, an eastern gray squirrel, and an American red squirrel. The designs capture the resourcefulness and adaptability that help these animals thrive when temperatures drop. From busy foragers to cozy hibernators, they remind us that winter can be full of charm. “When you see the booklet as a whole, the animals’ faces popping up from the snow has a playful effect,” explains Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS who designed the issuance. “The stamps are fun and uplifting. I hope they make people smile, especially in the heart of winter.”

We haven’t heard anything official from the U.S. Postal Service and, even when we do, it won’t be the complete U.S. 2026 stamp program. Still, it’s fun to try to guess what stamps will be issued.

These are pretty definite:
Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse)
Bicentennial issues
6 issues at Boston 2026, including the Encore winner

I think these are good bets, all born in 1926:
Civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy (Black Heritage Series?)
Singer Tony Bennett (died 2023)
Musician Chuck Berry

Some 1876 events that might be commemorated:
Centennial International Exhibition (1876) in Philadelphia, first official world’s fair to be held in the US. (Opened May 10; stamp or stamps at Boston 2026?)
Colorado Statehood
The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs is formed
First successful telephone call (stamp in 1976)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is published

A 1926 event that I think is a good bet for commemoration:
U.S. numbered highway system is established, including Route 66.

Less likely births in 1926:
Comedian/philanthropist Jerry Lewis
Author Harper Lee (“To Kill A Mockinbird”)
Comedian Don Rickles
Actor Andy Griffith
Mel Brooks – still living!

Less likely events from 1876:
Introduction of Heinz Tomato Ketchu
Introduction of Budweiser Beer

Less likely events from 1926:
First weather map is televised! (from one government office to another)
The 8-hour, 5-day work week is announced by Henry Ford
NBC Radio Network established (CBS isn’t founded until 1928)
Winnie the Pooh is published, but in London

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Stamp Encore Voting Open Now
Vote for your favorite stamp to be reissued in 2026

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service is excited to announce the Stamp Encore Contest. To celebrate the organization’s 250th anniversary, and gear up to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary, the public is invited to select a stamp pane from the past for re-printing as part of the 2026 Stamp program.

The Postal Service chose 25 stamp panes from some of its bestselling and most popular stamp issuances of the recent past. Voting is open through Sept. 30, both online and by mail. You can view the official rules and vote online at stampsforever.com/vote, or print a paper ballot from the website and mail it in.

This is an open invitation — everyone is welcome, and you can vote as many times as you want.

The Postal Service plans to announce the winning stamp design in May 2026 at the Boston 2026 World Expo to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Until then, the results will be a secret.

List of stamps: