The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5258.

Sleeping Bear Dunes (Priority Mail Express)With this Priority Mail Express stamp, the Postal Service celebrates the Sleeping Bear Dunes, a national park in Michigan that takes its name from a Native American legend.

This stamp will be issued January 21st in Kansas City, Missouri. There will not be a first-day ceremony.

Updated December 21st from the Postal Bulletin:

On January 21, 2018, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the $24.70 Sleeping Bear Dunes Priority Mail Express® stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 4 stamps (Item 119800). The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 21, 2018.

With this new Priority Mail Express stamp, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the Sleeping Bear Dunes, which take their name from a Native American legend. Rising 450 feet above Lake Michigan, the dunes are the highest perched dunes in the Great Lakes region and are protected within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The stamp art celebrates the grandeur and serene natural beauty of the dunes and surrounding park. Dune grasses mark the beach in the foreground, as gulls dive and soar in the breeze. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 119800, $24.70 Sleeping Bear Dunes Priority Mail Express PSA Pane of 4 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop, or by phone at 800-782-6724. 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 – Sleeping Bear Dunes 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 March 21, 2018.

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

• 119816 First-Day Cover, $25.14.
• 119821 Digital Color Postmark, $25.85.

Technical details for the Sleeping Bear Dunes stamp will appear in a future edition of the Postal Bulletin.

Here is the Digital Color Postmark for this issue: It measures 2.62” x 1.47” It measures 2.98” x 1.35”

Updated January 21st, from the Postal Bulletin:

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Sleeping Bear Dunes Stamp
Item Number: 119800
Denomination & Type of Issue: $24.70 Priority Mail Express® rate
Format: Pane of 4 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 21, 2018, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Dan Cosgrove, Chicago, IL
Artist: Dan Cosgrove, Chicago, IL
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 4
Print Quantity: 1,260,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 1.085 in/36.07 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 1.225 in/39.62 x 31.12 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.12 x 3.45 in/104.65 x 87.63 mm
Plate Size: 24 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in two corners of pane
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS Logo • Four barcodes (119800) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5257.

Byodo-In Temple (Priority Mail)This Priority Mail stamp features a colorful illustration of the Byodo-In Temple, a popular tourist attraction in Hawai‘i.

This stamp will be issued January 21st in Kansas City, Missouri. There will not be a first-day ceremony.

Updated December 21st from the Postal Bulletin:

On January 21, 2018, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the $6.70 Byodo-In Temple Priority Mail® stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 4 stamps (Item 114100). The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 21, 2018.

This Priority Mail stamp features a colorful illustration of the Byodo-In Temple, a popular tourist attraction in Hawaii. A smaller-scale concrete replica of a wooden Buddhist temple in Japan, the Byodo-In Temple is located in a private cemetery on the island of O‘ahu. Built in 1968 to commemorate the centennial of the first Japanese immigration to Hawaii, the temple is used for ceremonies, services, and events such as classes and concerts. Art director Greg Breeding designed this stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 114100, $6.70 Byodo-In Temple Priority Mail PSA Pane of 4 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop, or by phone at 800-782-6724. 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 – Byodo-In Temple 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 March 21, 2018.

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

• 114116 First-Day Cover, $7.14.
• 114121 Digital Color Postmark, $7.85.

Technical details for the Byodo-In Temple stamp will appear in a future edition of the Postal Bulletin.

Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.78” x 1.72” The pictorial postmark measures 2.95” x 1.46”

Updated January 21st, from the Postal Bulletin:

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Byodo-In Temple Stamp
Item Number: 114100
Denomination & Type of Issue: $6.70 Priority Mail® rate
Format: Pane of 4 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 21, 2018, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Dan Cosgrove, Chicago, IL
Artist: Dan Cosgrove, Chicago, IL
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 4
Print Quantity: 7,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 1.085 in/36.07 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 1.225 in/39.62 x 31.12 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.12 x 3.45 in/104.65 x 87.63 mm
Plate Size: 96 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in two corners of pane
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS Logo • Four barcodes (114100) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

Here is the January 23rd pictorial being offered for this issue; sorry, this is the largest size currently available.

Updated October 2nd: Here are the Scott Catalogue numbers:
5301 (50¢) Art of Magic – Rabbit in Hat
5302 (50¢) Art of Magic – Fortune Teller and Crystal Ball
5303 (50¢) Art of Magic – Levitating Woman and Hoop
5304 (50¢) Art of Magic – Empty Bird Cage
5305 (50¢) Art of Magic – Bird Emerging From Flower
a. Horiz. strip of 5, #5301-5305

Updated August 7th: Here are the product numbers:

• 476800 The Art of Magic Forever stamp pane of 20, $10.00
• 476806 Press sheet, $60.00
• 476810 Keepsake (set of 5), $18.95
• 476816, First-day cover (set of 5), $4.70
• 476821 Digital color postmark (set of 5), $8.25
• 476830 Ceremony program (random), $6.95
• 476871 Rabbit in Hat poster with souvenir sheet, $19.95
• 476872 Crystal Ball poster with souvenir sheet, $19.95
• 476873 Woman Floating poster with souvenir sheet, $19.95
• 476874 Empty Birdcage poster with souvenir sheet, $19.95
• 476875 Dove/Flower poster with souvenir sheet, $19.95
• 565204 3-stamp souvenir sheet, $1.50

Updated May 10th: These stamps will be issued August 7th in Las Vegas.

The Art of MagicThe Postal Service celebrates the art of magic with this pane of 20 stamps featuring digital illustrations of five classic tricks magicians use to amaze and delight audiences: a rabbit in a hat (production), a fortune teller using a crystal ball (prediction), a woman floating in the air (levitation), an empty bird cage (vanishing), and a bird emerging from a flower (transformation).

Updated July 4, 2018:
On August 7, 2018, in Las Vegas, NV, the U.S. Postal Service will issue The Art of Magic stamps (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) in five designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 476800). The stamps will go on sale nationwide August 7, 2018. The Art of Magic pane of 20 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.

The Postal Service celebrates the art of magic with digital illustrations of five classic tricks magicians use to amaze and delight audiences:

• A rabbit in a hat (production),
• A fortune teller using a crystal ball (prediction),
• A woman floating in the air (levitation),
• An empty bird cage (vanishing), and
• A bird emerging from a flower (transformation).

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps, and Jay Fletcher created the illustrations and served as the typographer.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 476800, The Art of Magic (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) Commemorative Pane of 20 Stamps Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 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 Art of Magic 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 post marked by December 7, 2018.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: The Art of Magic Stamps
Item Number: 476800
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (5 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: August 7, 2018, Las Vegas, NV 89199
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Jay Fletcher
Artist: Jay Fletcher
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 20,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Warm Gray 1, Warm Gray 5, Warm Gray 10, Pantone Black 6, Pantone 021, Pantone 7574, Pantone 131, Pantone 139, Pantone 174
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.085 x 1.42 in./ 27.559 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.56 in./31.115 x 39.624 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.38 x 8.75 in./187.45 x 222.25 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 17.5 x 22.14 in./444.5 x 562.36 mm
Plate Size: 120 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by nine (9) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: The Art of Magic • Plate number in two corners of pane
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (476800) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional text

Updated July 19th:
There are SIX first-day postmarks for this issue – five DCPs and one B&W or pictorial:All five DCPs measure 2.29″ x 1.06″. The B&W pictorial is 2.99″ x .99″.

The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are:
5312 (50¢) John Lennon – red shoulders
5313 (50¢) John Lennon – red lilac shoulders
5314 (50¢) John Lennon – dark violet shoulders
5315 (50¢) John Lennon – blue shoulders
a. Vert. strip of 4, #5312-5315

Music Icons series.

Updated August 2nd, from the Postal Bulletin:
On September 7, 2018, in New York, NY, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the John Lennon stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 16 stamps (Item 565400). The stamps will go on sale nationwide September 7, 2018. The John Lennon pane of stamps may not be split or sold individually.

The newest stamps in the Music Icons series honor singer-songwriter John Lennon (1940–1980), a rock-and-roll hero successful both as a founding member of the Beatles and as a solo artist. Still beloved around the world, Lennon‘s music remains an anchor of pop radio and continues to speak for truth, peace, and tolerance. The stamp design features a photograph of Lennon taken by noted rock-and-roll photographer Bob Gruen in August 1974 during the photo session for Lennon‘s 1974 album Walls and Bridges. For the stamps, the original black-and-white image has been treated in gradations of color.

The stamp pane is designed to resemble a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve. One side of the pane includes the stamps, brief text about Lennon‘s legacy, and the image of a sliver of a record seeming to peek out the top of the sleeve. A black-and-white photograph of Lennon seated at his white piano appears on the reverse, along with Lennon‘s signature and the Music Icons series logo. Taken by photographer Peter Fordham, the original photograph was used to promote Lennon‘s landmark 1971 solo album, Imagine. Art director Antonio Alcalá worked on the stamp pane with designer Neal Ashby.

Special Dedication Postmarks:
Only the following pictorial postmark is permitted for John Lennon stamps. The word “Station” or the abbreviation “STA” is required somewhere in the design, because it will be a temporary station. Special dedication ceremonies for the John Lennon stamps are not authorized. Use of any image other than the following special pictorial image is prohibited.

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 – John Lennon 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 January 7, 2019.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: John Lennon Stamps
Item Number: 565400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 16 (4 designs)
Series: Music Icons
Issue Date & City: September 7, 2018, New York, NY 10199
Designer: Neal Ashby, Alexandria, VA
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Neal Ashby, Alexandria, VA
Existing Photo: Bob Gruen
Existing Photo: Peter Fordham
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 16
Print Quantity: 40,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Cool Gray 7, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Square
Image Area (w x h): 1.085 x 1.085 in./27.559 x 27.559 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.225 in./31.115 x 31.115 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7 x 7 in./177.8 x 177.8 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 14.1875 x 21.375 in./360.36 x 542.93 mm
Plate Size: 96 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: None
Marginal Markings:
Front: ©2017 USPS • USPS logo • Proprietary text • Barcode (565400) in lower right corner of pane • Promotional text • Biography brief
Back: • Photograph • “John Lennon” • Music Icons logo

Updated July 13th with first-day ceremony details:

What: John Lennon Forever stamp dedication ceremony, officiated by Postmaster General and CEO Megan J. Brennan

When: Friday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Where: Namburg Bandshell
Central Park, near East 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10065

Background: This stamp, honoring legendary singer and songwriter John Lennon, is the latest in a series of Music Icons stamps. Beloved around the world, Lennon was successful both as a founding member of the Beatles and as a solo artist. Lennon’s music continues to speak for truth, peace, and tolerance.
The stamp artwork features a 1974 photo of John Lennon taken by noted rock music photographer Bob Gruen for Lennon’s “Walls and Bridges”album. The stamp pane resembles a vintage 45-rpm record sleeve and features Lennon at his white piano on the reverse side. The photograph, taken by Peter Fordham, was used to promote Lennon’s landmark 1971 solo album, “Imagine.”

Updated May 10th:

Imagine that! The one John Lennon stamp just turned into four, because there are four different colors on the pane of 16.
Here’s the design for back of the sheet: Original announcement:The newest stamp in the Music Icons series honors singer and songwriter John Lennon (1940–1980), a rock ’n’ roll hero successful both as a founding member of the Beatles and as a solo artist.

Updated August 18th:
Here’s is the Digital Color Postmark for this issue: It measures 2.97″ x 1.50″. Here is the B&W pictorial postmark:It measures 2.99″ x 1.28″. Here is the special postmark for use by other post offices than the first-day city: It measures 2.93″ x 1.46″.

The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:
5317 (50¢) Birds in Winter – Black-capped chickadee
5318 (50¢) Birds in Winter – Northern cardinal
5319 (50¢) Birds in Winter – Red-bellied woodpecker
5320 (50¢) Birds in Winter – Blue jay
a. Block of 4, #5317-5320
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 5 each #5317-5320

Updated May 10th: These stamps will be issued Saturday, September 22 in Quechee, VT. Nice catch by member Lefty Dundee: The Vermont Institute of Natural Science is there. Nothing on its website yet.

Updated August 25th:
On September 22, 2018, in Quechee, VT, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Birds in Winter stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive booklet of 20 stamps (Item 681900). The stamps will go on sale nationwide September 22, 2018.

The Birds in Winter stamps celebrate four of winter‘s winged beauties:

• The black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus),
• The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis),
• The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), and
• The red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus).

The stamp art highlights the handsome plumage of resident birds often spotted throughout the year‘s coldest months. Evoking the drab feeling of winter with the stark white backgrounds, stamp artist Nadia Taylor hoped to create a vivid contrast with the bright flashes of color found in the digital rendering of each bird. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps.

Item 681900 Birds in Winter Double-Sided Booklet of 20 Stamps

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 – Birds in Winter 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 January 22, 2019.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Birds in Winter Stamps
Item Number: 681900
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-Sided Booklet of 20 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: September 22, 2018, Quechee, VT 05059
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Nadia Taylor, London
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 400,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): .77 x 1.05 in./19.558 x 26.67 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): .91 x 1.19 in./23.114 x 30.226 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.743 x 2.375 in./145.872 x 60.325 mm
Colors: Cool Gray 7, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Plate Size: 800 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header: “Birds in Winter Chickadee, Cardinal, Blue Jay, & Woodpecker” 20 First-Class Forever Stamps • USPS logo • Barcode • Plate number in peel strip area • ©2017 USPS in peel strip area • Promotional text in peel strip area

Original announcement:
Birds in Winter celebrates four of winter’s winged beauties: the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), and the red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus).

Updated August 18th:
Here’s is the Digital Color Postmark for this issue:It measures 1.75″ x 1.37″. Here is the B&W pictorial postmark:It measures 2.87″ x 1.46″.

Although the USPS only says these stamps will be issued during APS StampShow, August 9-12, in Columbus, Ohio, we have confirmed the first-day date is Thursday, August 9th.

The latest updates, including the USPS press release on the date and location, are at the bottom of the page. Latest update: October 2nd, 2018.
The Postal Service celebrates dragons, the high-flying, fire-breathing mythological creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia.

[USPS press release March 20^th]
Dragons Coming to a Post Office Near You!
Postal Service to Feature Mythological Creatures on Stamps at APS National Summer Convention Stamp Show

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service will be joined by the American Philatelic Society (APS) to unveil four colorful stamp designs of 16 Forever stamps depicting dragons — the high-flying, fire-breathing mythological creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia — at the APS national summer convention and stamp show Aug. 9-12 in Columbus, OH.

“We’re very excited to bring these beautiful stamps to the 132nd annual APS convention,” said U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Director Mary-Anne Penner. “This is one of the premier stamp shows in America and serves as an excellent platform to showcase these special stamps.”

“We’re thrilled to have USPS unveil these great stamps with us in Columbus,” said Scott English, APS executive director. “There will be something for the whole family highlighting this cool theme. No experience necessary, so we hope you join us!”

The new stamps will be issued as a pane of 16 stamps showcasing one of four designs: a green fire-breathing dragon towering over a medieval-inspired castle; a purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snaking around a white castle; a black dragon with green wings and green armor on its back swooping past a ship on the sea; and a wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda.

The stamps feature digital illustrations created by artist Don Clark of Invisible Creature studio. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps. News of the stamps can be shared using the hashtag #DragonStamps.

Background
Throughout history and across the globe — from Europe to the Middle East to Asia to the Americas — people have enjoyed tales of mythological creatures. Though these legendary animals vary in shape, size and color, they’re most often described as lizard-like with four legs, sharp claws, scales, wings and spiky tails. The stamps feature four colorful dragons set against four unique backgrounds.

In the Far East, dragons are ubiquitous. The wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda is inspired by creatures found in Asian art, architecture, folk religion and ancient lore. The Chinese, in particular, have venerated the dragon for thousands of years.

European folklore inspired the dragons on two other stamps. The purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snakes around a white castle that evokes Camelot. The green fire-breathing dragon towers over a medieval-inspired castle. The fierce beasts have even become part of the identity of many countries.

Updated July 4, 2018:
On August 9, 2018, in Columbus, OH, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Dragons stamps (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 16 stamps (Item 477500). The stamps will go on sale nationwide August 9, 2018. The Dragons pane of 16 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates dragons, the high- flying, fire-breathing mythological creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia. Each of the stamps showcases one of four dragons:

• A green fire-breathing dragon towering over a medieval-inspired castle;
• A purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snaking around a white castle;
• A black dragon with green wings and green armor on its back swooping past a ship on the sea; and
• A wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda.

Each of the stamps and the header feature orange foiled highlights that add a fire-like glint. At the top of the pane, “Dragons” appears alongside a black fire-breathing dragon. The stamps are digital illustrations created by artist Don Clark of Invisible Creature studio, while Greg Breeding served as art director.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 477500, Dragons (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) Commemorative Pane of 16 Stamps Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 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 – Dragons 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 December 9, 2018.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Dragons Stamps
Item Number: 477500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 16 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: August 9, 2018, Columbus, OH 43216
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Don Clark, Maple Valley, VA
Artist: Don Clark, Maple Valley, VA
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Hot Foil Stamping
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74, Müeller-Martini Custom
Stamps per Pane: 16
Print Quantity: 30,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): .84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): .98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.542 x 8.375 in./115.367 x 212.725 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 9.084 x 19.375 in./230.73 x 492.13 mm
Plate Size: 128 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Dragons • Plate number in two corners
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (477500) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional text

Updated July 7, 2018:
The Postal Bulletin shows 4 Digital Color Postmarks and one B&W pictorial for this issue. We have received no guidance from the USPS as to size, or if a specific DCP goes with a specific stamp, but here are the designs:

Updated August 3, 2018:
[from the USPS]
Dragons Forever!
U.S. Postal Service to Feature Mythological Creatures on Stamps

What: The U.S. Postal Service will celebrate dragons: The high-flying, fire-breathing creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia will be featured on 16 new Forever stamps during a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony at the American Philatelic Society Stamp (APS) Show co-hosted by the American Topical Association.

Please share the news using the hashtag #DragonStamps. This ceremony is free and open to the public. RSVP at usps.com/dragons . (Note: Attendees must register onsite at the APS registration booth to receive a pass for access to the exhibit floor where the ceremony will be held.)

Who:
Mary-Anne Penner, director, Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service
Joshua Colin, vice president, Area Operations, Eastern Area, U.S. Postal Service
Scott D. English, executive director, American Philatelic Society
Janet Klug, chair, Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee

When: Noon EDT, Thursday, Aug. 9

Where: American Philatelic Society National Summer Convention Stamp Show
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Exhibit Hall B
400 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

Background: Throughout history and across the globe — from Europe to the Middle East to Asia to the Americas — people have enjoyed tales of the mythological creatures. Though these legendary animals vary in shape, size and color, they’re most often described as lizard-like with four legs, sharp claws, scales, wings, and spiky tails. The stamps feature four colorful dragons set against four unique backgrounds.

Each of the 16 stamps showcases one of four dragons: a green fire-breathing dragon towering over a medieval-inspired castle; a purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snaking around a white castle; a black dragon with green wings and green armor on its back swooping past a ship on the sea; and a wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda.

The stamps feature digital illustrations created by artist Don Clark of Invisible Creature studio. Art director Greg Breeding designed the issuance.

Updated October 2nd: Here are the Scott Catalogue numbers for this issue:
5307 (50¢) Dragons – Green Dragon and Castle
5308 (50¢) Dragons – Purple Dragon and Castle
5309 (50¢) Dragons – Blue Dragon and Ship
5310 (50¢) Dragons – Orange and Pink Dragon and Pagoda
a. Strip or block of 4, #5307-5310
b. Horiz. strip of 4, #5307-5310, die cutting missing

The Scott catalogue number for this stamp is 5300.

Updated May 10th: This stamp will be issued July 27th with a listed first-day city of Kansas City, MO.  We are not sure if there will be a first-day ceremony.

Original announcement:With this stamp, the Postal Service pays tribute to the sacrifice of American soldiers and millions of supporters on the home front who experienced World War I. Entering World War I (1914–1918) in its later stages, the United States helped turn the tide of war in favor of the Allies.

Updated June 22nd:

On July 27, 2018, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the World War I: Turning the Tide stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 477400). The stamp will go on sale nationwide July 27, 2018.

With this stamp, the Postal Service™ pays tribute to the sacrifice of American soldiers and millions of supporters on the home front who experienced World War I. Entering World War I (1914–1918) in its later stages, the United States helped turn the tide of war in favor of the Allies. The stamp art features a close-up of a member of the American Expeditionary Force holding the U.S. flag. Barbed wire can be seen in the background, as well as an airplane in flight and smoke rising up from the battlefield. The artwork was painted in airbrush on illustration board, a technique that evokes the propaganda posters used during World War I. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with art by Mark Stutzman.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 477400, World War I: Turning the Tide (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) Commemorative Pane of 20 Stamps. Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™ with a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

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 – WWI: Turning the Tide 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 November 27, 2018.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: World War I: Turning the Tide Stamp
Item Number: 477400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 27, 2018, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Artist: Mark Stutzman, Mountain Lake Park, MD
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 20,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 5473c Blue, PMS 1795c Red, PMS 4505c Gold
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 7.88 in./150.37 x 200.15 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.84 x 23.89 in./300.74 x 606.81 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by seven (7) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in two corners • Header: World War I – Turning the Tide
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (477400) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

Updated July 31:
[press release]
World War I: Turning the Tide Forever Stamp
Honoring Those Who Served in Seminal Conflict

KANSAS CITY — Post Offices across the nation are selling the newest stamps to honor the millions of Americans, both home and abroad, who participated in World War I, considered the seminal conflict of the 20th century. World War I: Turning the Tide Forever stamps were dedicated in a special ceremony today at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, MO.

“Even though the United States didn’t see action until the last year of the war, in 1918, American troops played an indispensable role in turning the tide of that war in favor of the Allies,” said dedicating official U.S. Postal Service General Counsel and Executive VP Thomas Marshall. “Today we pay tribute to the sacrifice of those soldiers, as well as the millions of supporters on the home front.”

World War I was a four-year global conflict (1914-1918) that reshaped the map of Europe. The United States remained neutral until April 1917, when it declared war on Germany and entered on the side of the Allies — Britain, France, and Russia. When the American Expeditionary Force, which ultimately grew to nearly 5 million troops, did finally engage in 1918, its actions helped end the war, thrusting the U.S. to the forefront of major world powers.

The stamp art features a close-up of a member of the American Expeditionary Force holding the U.S. flag. Barbed wire can be seen in the background, as well as an airplane in flight and smoke rising up from the battlefield. The artwork was painted in airbrush on illustration board, a technique that evokes the propaganda posters used during World War I. Art director Greg Breeding designed the issuance with art by Mark Stutzman. News of the stamps is being shared using the hashtag #WorldWarIStamp.

Customers may purchase the WWI: Turning the Tide Forever stamps through the Postal Store atusps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Office locations nationwide.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 120 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Office facilities, at the Postal Store usps.com/shop or by phone at 800-STAMP-24. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in envelopes addressed to:

FDOI – World War I: Turning the Tide Forever 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 postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by Nov. 27, 2018.

Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamps and stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual item number and is offered in the USA Philatelic Publication and online at usps.com/shop. Customers may register to receive a free USA Philatelic Publication online at usps.com/philatelic .

Philatelic Products
Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:
477406, Press Sheet, $60.
477410, Digital Color Keepsake, $11.95.
477416, First-Day Cover, $0.94.
477421, Digital Color Postmark, $1.65.

The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are:

5298 O Beautiful pane of 20
a. (50¢) Death Valley National Park
b. (50¢) Three Fingers Mountain, Washington
c. (50¢) Double Rainbow Over Kansas Field
d. (50¢) Great Smoky Mountains National Park
e. (50¢) Field of Wheat, Wisconsin
f. (50¢) Plowed Wheat Fields, Washington
g. (50¢) Grasslands Wildlife Management Area, California
h. (50¢) Field of Wheat, Montana
i. (50¢) Yosemite National Park
j. (50¢) Crater Lake National Park
k. (50¢) Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
l. (50¢) Maroon Bells, Colorado
m. (50¢) Sunrise Near Orinda, California
n. (50¢) Pigeon Point, Near Pescadero, California
o. (50¢) Edna Valley, California
p. (50¢) Livermore, California
q. (50¢) Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hawaii
r. (50¢) Lone Ranch Beach, Oregon
s. (50¢) Canaveral National Seashore, Florida
t. (50¢) Bailey Island, Maine

Updated May 25th:
On July 4, 2018, in Colorado Springs, CO, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the O Beautiful stamps (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) in 20 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 565300). The stamps will go on sale nationwide July 4, 2018.

With the release of the O Beautiful stamps, the U.S. Postal Service commemorates the beauty and majesty of the United States through images that correspond with one of the nation’s most beloved songs, “America the Beautiful.” Each of the 20 stamps on the pane features a photograph that helps illustrate one of five phrases from the song’s famous first verse: “Spacious Skies” (top row), “Waves of Grain” (second row), “Mountain Majesties” (third row), “The Fruited Plain” (fourth row), and “Sea to Shining Sea” (bottom row). Art director Ethel Kessler designed the pane using existing photographs.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 565300, O Beautiful (Forever Priced at the First-Class Mail Rate) Commemorative Pane of 20 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 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 – O Beautiful 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 November 4, 2018.

No locally produced items are authorized. Only merchandise that has been approved and assigned an item number by Headquarters Retail Marketing may be produced and sold.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: O Beautiful Stamps
Item Number: 565300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (20 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 4, 2018, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Photo: Timothy T. De La Vega
Existing Photo: Kevin Ebi
Existing Photo: Larry Michael
Existing Photo: David Muench
Existing Photo: Sean Ramsey
Existing Photo: Benjamin Williamson
Existing Photo: Gary Crabbe
Existing Photo: Tim Fitzharris
Existing Photo: Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Mueller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 60,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS Cool Gray 7
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.085 x 1.085 in/27.56 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.225 in/31.12 x 31.12 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.90 x 7.50 in/149.86 x 190.50 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.80 x 22.50 in/299.72 x 571.50 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five (5) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: O BEAUTIFUL • Plate numbers in two corners
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (565300) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

Updated May 17th:
U.S. Postal Service to Issue O Beautiful Forever Stamps

What: First-day-of-issue stamp dedication ceremony for the O Beautiful Forever stamps. The event is free and open to the public. News about these stamps is being shared with the hashtag #OBeautifulStamps.

When: Wednesday, July 4, at 7:30 p.m. MDT

Where:
Colorado Springs Philharmonic’s July 4th Event — Summer Symphony
Memorial Park
1605 Pikes Peak Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80910

Who:

• U.S. Postal Service Colorado Wyoming District Manager Kevin Romero
• Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra

Background: With the release of the O Beautiful Forever stamps, the U.S. Postal Service commemorates the beauty and majesty of the United States through 20 images that correspond with the lyrics of one of the nation’s most beloved songs, “America the Beautiful.” Each of the stamps features a photograph that helps illustrate one of five phrases from the song’s first verse: “Spacious Skies” (top row), “Waves of Grain” (second row), “Mountain Majesties” (third row), “The Fruited Plain” (fourth row), and “Sea to Shining Sea” (bottom row). Details of the locations — ranging from Maine to Hawaii — will be announced later. Credit stamp pane image as ©2018 USPS.

Updated May 10th: These stamps will be issued July 4th in Colorado Springs, CO.

Original Announcement:
With the release of O Beautiful, the Postal Service commemorates the beauty and majesty of the United States through images that correspond with one of the nation’s most beloved songs, “America the Beautiful.”
Updated June 12th:

Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.71″ x 1.16″. The Black & White pictorial measures 2.75″ x 1.10″.

The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are 5285-5294. Click here to see each stamp’s assignment.

Last updated May 25th:
On June 20, 2018, in Austin, TX, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Frozen Treats stamps (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) in 10 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive, double-sided booklet of 20 stamps (Item 681700). The stamps will go on sale nationwide June 20, 2018.

Frozen Treats stamps feature frosty, colorful pops on a stick in a variety of shapes and flavors. This booklet of 20 scratch-and-sniff stamps showcases whimsical watercolor illustrations in 10 different designs. The stamps are printed with a coating that evokes a sweet summer scent. Art directors Antonio Alcalá and Leslie Badani designed the stamps with original art by Margaret Berg.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 681700 Frozen Treats, (Forever Priced at the First-Class Mail Rate) Double-sided Booklet of 20 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices.

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 – Frozen Treats 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 October 20, 2018.

No locally produced items are authorized. Only merchandise that has been approved and assigned an item number by Headquarters Retail Marketing may be produced and sold.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Frozen Treats Stamps
Item Number: 681700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-sided Booklet of 20
(10 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 20, 2018, Austin, TX 78710
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Leslie Badani, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Leslie Badani, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Margaret Berg, Santa Monica, CA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 100,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.52 x 1.96 in./140.21 x 49.78 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 22.455 x 3.92 in./ 570.36 x 99.57 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta Yellow
Plate Size: 1040 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header. “FROZEN TREATS Scratch and Sniff” Twenty First-Class Forever Stamps • Plate number in peel strip area • ©2017 USPS in peel strip area

Last updated May 21st:

[press release]
U.S. Postal Service’s First Scratch-and-Sniff Stamps Evoke a Sweet Summer Scent

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service’s first scratch-and-sniff stamps will add the sweet scent of summer to letters of love, friendship, party invitations and other mailings when the Postal Service introduces the Frozen Treats Forever stamps June 20 in Austin, TX.

The stamps can be pre-ordered at this link soon for delivery shortly after the June 20 issuance.

The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony, free and open to the public, will take place at 6 p.m. CDT at Austin’s Thinkery Children’s Museum. Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS. Share the news using the hashtag #FrozenTreatsStamps.

The stamps feature illustrations of frosty, colorful, icy pops on a stick. Today, Americans love cool, refreshing ice pops on a hot summer day. The tasty, sweet confections come in a variety of shapes and flavors.

Ice pops are made by large manufacturers, home cooks and artisanal shops. In recent years, frozen treats containing fresh fruit such as kiwi, watermelon, blueberries, oranges and strawberries have become more common. In addition, flavors such as chocolate, root beer and cola are also popular. Some frozen treats even have two sticks, making them perfect for sharing.

This booklet of 20 stamps showcases the work of Margaret Berg of Santa Monica, CA, depicting whimsical watercolor illustrations of frozen treats. Each of the 10 stamp designs includes two different treats. The words “FOREVER” and “USA” appear along the bottom of each stamp.

Art director Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, VA, designed the stamps with Leslie Badani of Alexandria, VA.

Frozen Treats is being issued as First-Class Mail Forever stamps which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.

Stamp ideas welcome
The public is encouraged to submit stamp suggestions. Visit the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee website for details on the stamp selection process and instructions for submitting suggestions in writing. Due to the time required for research and approval, ideas for stamp subjects should be received at least three years prior to the proposed release. Each submission should include pertinent historical information and important dates associated with the subject.

Initial announcement from the USPS:

Frozen Treats Frozen Treats features frosty, colorful icy pops on a stick. The tasty, sweet confections come in a variety of shapes and flavors.

From the USPS, updated May 8th:

U.S. Postal Service to Issue Frozen Treats Forever Stamps

What: First-day-of-issue stamp dedication ceremony for the Frozen Treats Forever stamps. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP at usps.com/frozentreats. Share the news of the stamps using the hashtag #FrozenTreatsStamps. When: Wednesday, June 20, at 6 p.m.

Where:

Thinkery Children’s Museum
Event Courtyard
1830 Simond Ave.
Austin, TX 78723

Parking is available at nearby Alamo Parking. Tickets will be validated at the Thinkery Children’s Museum admission entrance.

Background: Cool off with Frozen Treats, a U.S. Postal Service Forever stamp issuance featuring frosty, colorful, icy pops on a stick. The tasty, sweet confections come in a variety of shapes and flavors.

Today, Americans love cool, refreshing ice pops on a hot summer day. Modern frozen treats are available in many varieties. Ice pops are made by large manufacturers, home cooks, and artisanal shops. In recent years, frozen treats containing fresh fruit such as kiwi, watermelon, blueberries, oranges, and strawberries have become more common. In addition, flavors such as chocolate, root beer, and cola are also popular. Some frozen treats even have two sticks, making them perfect for sharing.

This booklet of 20 stamps showcases Margaret Berg’s whimsical watercolor illustrations of frozen treats. Each of the 10 stamp designs include two different treats. The words “FOREVER” and “USA” appear along the bottom of every stamp.

Updated June 12th:

Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.48 x 1.45 inches.The Black-and-White pictorial measures 2.80 x 1.16 inches.

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5284.

Latest updates at the bottom.

From the USPS:

Flag Act of 1818 With this stamp, the Postal Service marks the 200th anniversary of the Flag Act of 1818, which gave us the basic design of the current American flag: 13 stripes symbolizing the original 13 colonies and one star for each state in the union.

This stamp will be issued June 9 in Appleton, Wisconsin, which holds a large Flag Day Parade each year.This year’s parade will be held June 9th, the same day the stamp will be issued.

The Flag Act of 1818 was enacted by Congress on April 4, 1818. For more on this Act, visit Wikipedia.

Appleton was the first-day city for the Edna Ferber stamp (Sc. 3433) in 2002. It is also the birthplace of Harry Houdini (Sc. 3651), although that stamp was issued in New York.

—VSC

Updated May 1st:

[press release]
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Flag Act of 1818
U.S. Postal Service Dedicating a New Forever Stamp Marking the Historic Milestone

What: With this stamp, the U.S. Postal Service is pleased to highlight the 200th anniversary of the Flag Act of 1818, which provided the basic design of the current American flag: 13 stripes symbolizing the original 13 colonies and one star for each state in the union.
The stamp art celebrating this anniversary shows a flag with 20 stars, the number of states in the Union when the Flag Act of 1818 went into effect. Ethel Kessler was art director for the stamp and typography was by Kit Hinrichs. Hinrichs shows a flag with crisp folds and a layering effect that conveys a sense of the dynamism of the young nation. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #FlagActStamp.

Who:
Pat Mendonca, U.S. Postal Service Senior Director for the Postmaster General/CEO

When:
Saturday, June 9, 2018, 11:30 a.m., Central Daylight Time

Where: 68th Appleton Flag Day Parade
Houdini Plaza
100 W. Lawrence Street
Appleton, WI 54911

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/flagact to gain entrance to the event.

Background: Two hundred years ago the Flag Act of 1818 gave us the basic design of the current American flag: 13 stripes and one star for each state in the Union.

Prior to the act, the nation’s official flag showed 15 stars and 15 stripes. The expansion of the union to 20 states by 1817 required a rethinking of the flag’s configuration. Rather than increasing the number of stripes every time a new state joined the union, the Flag Act reduced their number to 13, signifying the original 13 colonies, and increased the number of stars to reflect the current number of states in the union. The act specified that a new star would be added on the Fourth of July following the admission of a new state.

The United States flag has had 50 stars since July 4, 1960, when a new star was added after Hawaii became the 50th state.

Updated May 10th: Here are the first-day cancels for this issue: The DCP measures 2.34″ x 1.49″ The pictorial cancel measures 2.91″ x 1.47″

From the Postal Bulletin:

On June 9, 2018, in Appleton, WI, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Flag Act of 1818 stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 477800). The stamp will go on sale nationwide June 9, 2018.

With this stamp, the Postal Service™ marks the 200th anniversary of the Flag Act of 1818, which provided the basic design of the current American flag: 13 stripes symbolizing the original 13 colonies and one star for each state in the Union. The stamp art features a flag with 20 stars, the number of states in the Union when the Flag Act of 1818 was implemented. The flag‘s crisp folds and layering effect convey a sense of the dynamism of the young nation. Ethel Kessler served as art director for the project with stamp design and typography by Kit Hinrichs.

Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices.

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 – Flag Act of 1818 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 October 9, 2018.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Flag Act of 1818 Stamp
Item Number: 477800
Denomination &T ype of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 9, 2018, Appleton, WI 54911
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Typographer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Offset, Microprint
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 20,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, PMS 2145C Blue, PMS 186C Red, and PMS Cool Gray 6C
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 0.84 in./36.07 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.98 in./39.62 x 24.89 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.24 x 5.92 in./183.90 x 150.37 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in two corners
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (477800) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text