Western Wear (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the enduring legacy of Western wear with four fun new Forever stamps in a booklet of 20. The stamp art features four graphic illustrations of Western wear staples — a cowboy hat, a cowboy boot with a spur, a Western shirt, and a belt buckle featuring a longhorn head. Each image is framed by elements common to the American West and iconography of the region, including cacti, snakes, roses and stars. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps with original art by Ryan Feerer.

These stamps will be issued July 23rd in Abilene, Texas, but no first-day ceremony is planned.

The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are:
5615 Cowboy hat
5616 Belt buckle
5617 Cowboy boot with spur
5618 Western shirt
a. Block of 4, #5615-5618
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 5 each #5615-5618

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


Updated June 17th:
Here is the Digital Color Postmark for this issue:It measures 1.98″ x 1.43″

Updated June 17th from the Postal Bulletin:

On July 23, 2021, in Abilene, TX, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Western Wear stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) double-sided booklet of 20 stamps (Item 683300). These stamps will go on sale nationwide July 23, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

The Postal Service™ celebrates the enduring legacy of Western wear with four fun new stamps that feature graphic illustrations of Western wear staples:

  • Cowboy boot with a spur,
  • Cowboy hat,
  • Western shirt, and
  • Belt buckle featuring a longhorn head.

A stippling technique, creating images using small dots of color, was used to give the illustrations a worn and gritty feel. Each image is framed by elements common to the American West and iconography of the region, including cacti, snakes, roses, and stars. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps with original art by Ryan Feerer.

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. 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 – Western Wear 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 23, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Western Wear Stamps
Item Number: 683300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-sided Booklet of 20 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 23, 2021, Abilene, TX 79601
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Artist: Ryan Feerer, Abilene, TX
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Offset
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 175,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.77 x 1.05 in./19.558 x 26.67 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.91 x 1.19 in./23.114 x 30.226 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.76 x 2.38 in./146.304 x 60.452 mm
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Plate Size: 880 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: “Western Wear” Twenty First-Class Forever Stamps • USPS logo • Plate number in peel strip area • ©2020 USPS in peel strip area • Barcode
Back: Promotional text in peel strip area

Japanese American Soldiers of WWII (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:  [Note that this issue was revised. The new version is further down.]From the USPS: With this commemorative stamp, the Postal Service recognizes the contributions of Japanese American soldiers, some 33,000 altogether, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. The stamp, printed in the intaglio method, is based on a photograph. “Go for Broke” was the motto of the all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team and came to represent all Japanese American units formed during World War II. The stamp was designed by art director Antonio Alcalá.

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


Updated July 5th:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:
5593
a. Imperforate

Updated May 28th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark for this issue measures 2.97″ x 1.44″ The pictorial postmark measures 2.72″ x 1.12″ The “special” postmark that non-first-day post offices may use measures 2.878″ x 0.94″

Updated May 14th:
The image that accompanied press release below confirms that the Go For Broke design has been revised: [press release]
Go For Broke: World War II Forever Stamp
Reverence for Japanese American Veterans

WHAT: The U.S. Postal Service will honor Japanese American veterans with the Go For Broke: Japanese Americans Soldiers of World War II commemorative stamp. Second-generation Japanese Americans, also known as nisei, formed one of the most distinguished American fighting units of World War II: the all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, whose motto was “Go for Broke.”

The stamp was designed by Antonio Alcalá and is based on a photograph of a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The photograph was taken in 1944 at a railroad station in France.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #GoForBroke and#GoForBrokestamp

WHO: The Honorable Lee Moak, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors

Gen. David A. Bramlett, U.S. Army (retired)

WHEN: Thursday, June 3, 2021, at 11 a.m. EDT/8 a.m. PDT

WHERE: A virtual dedication ceremony will be posted on the Postal Service’s Facebook
and Twitter pages. Please visit usps.com/goforbrokestamp for details.

BACKGROUND: The U.S. Postal Service recognizes the contributions that Japanese American soldiers made while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.

For a time after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, second-generation Japanese Americans were subjected to increased scrutiny and prejudice because of their heritage.

Known as nisei, these second-generation Japanese Americans were eventually able to join the war effort. The Army turned to nisei to serve as translators, interpreters and interrogators in the Pacific theater for the Military Intelligence Service. Nearly a thousand nisei men served in the 1399th Engineering Construction Battalion and more than 100 nisei women joined the Women’s Army Corp. Altogether, some 33,000 Japanese Americans served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

The Go For Broke: Japanese Americans Soldiers of World War II stamps are being issued as Forever stamps, which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Here is a large picture of the new version:

Updated May 7th:
On June 3, 2021, in Los Angeles, CA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Go for Broke: Japanese American Soldiers of WWII stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 480500). This stamp will go on sale nationwide June 3, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

With this commemorative stamp issuance, the Postal Service™ recognizes the contributions of Japanese American soldiers, some 33,000 altogether, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. The stamp, made to resemble an engraving, was printed in the intaglio print method. The image is based on a photograph taken in 1944, in France, of a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, whose motto was “Go for Broke.” The stamp was designed by art director Antonio Alcalá.

No automatic distribution.

Only the following pictorial postmark is permitted for the Go for Broke: Japanese American Soldiers of WWII stamp. The word “Station” or the abbreviation “STA” is required somewhere in the design because it will be a temporary station. 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 – Go for Broke: Japanese American
Soldiers of WWII 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 3, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Go for Broke: Japanese American Soldiers of WWII Stamp
Item Number: 480500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 3, 2021, Los Angeles, CA 90052
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá
Designer: Antonio Alcalá
Artist: Antonio Alcalá
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Intaglio, Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74 / Phoenix
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 20,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Blue PMS 294, Red PMS 186
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./ 21.336 x 36.068 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.892 x 39.624 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 7.50 in./150.368 x 190.50 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 11.84 x 22.5 in./300.736 x 571.500 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by two (2) single digits in two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Go for Broke Japanese American Soldiers of World War II • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (480500) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Updated March 17th:
This stamp will be issued June 3rd. The first day city is Los Angeles, and a virtual ceremony is planned.

Raven Story (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: Merging traditional artwork with modern design touches, this stamp depicts one of many stories about Raven, a figure of great significance to the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast. Among the cultures of the region, Raven plays an essential role in many traditional tales, including stories about the creation of the world. Inspired by the traditional story of Raven setting free the sun, the moon and the stars, Tlingit/Athabascan artist Rico Worl depicts Raven just as he escapes from his human family and begins to transform back into his bird form. Antonio Alcalá served as art director.

This stamp will be issued July 30th with a ceremony in Juneau, Alaska.

The Scott catalogue number is 5620.

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


Updated July 7th:
[ceremony information]
U.S. Postal Service Honors Raven Story with Stamp
Tlingit Artist Designed Stamp To Be Unveiled in Alaska

WHAT: The U.S. Postal Service will unveil the Raven Story Forever Stamp at the Sealaska Heritage Institute in Juneau, AK.

Merging traditional artwork with modern design touches, this stamp depicts one of many stories about Raven, a figure of great significance to the Indigenous people of the northern Northwest Coast, part of the area that ranges from Southeast Alaska through coastal British Columbia and south into Washington state.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #RavenStoryStamp and #NativeAmericanRavenStory.

The Raven Story stamps can be preordered at USPS.com.

The story behind the stamp will also be featured on the U.S. Postal Service Facebook and Twitter pages, posting at 5 p.m. ET on July 30, 2021. A pictorial postmark of the designated first-day-of-issue city, Juneau, is available at usps.com/shopstamps.

WHO: Jakki Krage Strako, U.S. Postal Service chief commerce and business solutions officer and executive vice president

Rosita Worl, president, Sealaska Heritage Institute

Rico Worl, stamp artist

WHEN: Friday, July 30, 2021, at 11 a.m. AKDT

WHERE:
Sealaska Heritage Institute
105 S. Seward St.
Juneau, AK 99801

BACKGROUND: The stamp was created by Tlingit/Athabascan artist Rico Worl. The stamp design depicts a raven just as he escapes from his human family and begins to transform back into his bird form. To create the stamp art, Worl used formline, the traditional design style of the Indigenous people of the northern Northwest Coast. The art director is Antonio Alcalá.

Among the cultures of the region, the raven plays an essential role in many traditional tales, including stories about the creation of the world. The stamp is inspired by the traditional story of the raven setting the sun, moon and stars free.

The Raven Story stamps are being issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1 ounce price.

Updated June 17th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.55″ x 1.45″ The pictorial postmark measures 2.36″ x 1.14″

Updated June 17th from the Postal Bulletin:
On July 30, 2021, in Juneau, AK, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Raven Story stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 478000). This stamp will go on sale nationwide July 30, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

Merging traditional artwork with modern design touches, this stamp depicts one of many stories about Raven, a figure of great significance to the Indigenous people of the northern Northwest Coast, part of the area that ranges from Southeast Alaska through coastal British Columbia and south into Washington state. Among the cultures of the region, the raven plays an essential role in many traditional tales, including stories about the creation of the world. Inspired by the traditional story of Raven setting free the sun, the moon, and the stars, Tlingit/Athabascan artist Rico Worl depicts Raven just as he escapes from his human family and begins to transform back into his bird form. To create the stamp art, Worl used formline, the traditional design style of the Indigenous people of the northern Northwest Coast. Antonio Alcalá served as art director.

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. 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 – Raven Story 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 30, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Raven Story Stamp
Item Number: 478000
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 30, 2021, Juneau, AK 99801
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist:: Rico Worl, Juneau, AK
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Flexographic, Foil Stamping, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 18,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black, Grey PMS 429, Kurz Luxor 220 Gold
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 0.84 in. / 36.068 x 21.336 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.98 in. / 39.624 x 24.892 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.24 x 6.23 in. / 183.896 x 158.242 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 12.71 x 21.71 in. / 322.834 X 551.4334 mm
Plate Size: 120 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by two (2) single digits in bottom two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Raven Story • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (478000) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Heritage Breeds (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: These stamps pay tribute to heritage breeds, preindustrial farm animals that are enjoying renewed attention for their versatility, adaptability and unique genetic traits. This pane of 20 stamps includes photographs of 10 heritage breeds: the American Mammoth Jackstock donkey, the Narragansett turkey, the Cayuga duck, the San Clemente Island goat, the Mulefoot hog, the Cotton Patch goose, the American Cream draft horse, the Barbados Blackbelly sheep, the Milking Devon cow and the Wyandotte chicken. Zack Bryant designed the stamps with photographs by Aliza Eliazarov. Greg Breeding served as art director.

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


Updated July 5th:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:
5583 Mulefoot hog
a. Imperforate
5584 Wyandotte chicken
a. Imperforate
5585 Milking Devon cow
a. Imperforate
5586 Narragansett turkey
a. Imperforate
5587 American Mammoth Jackstock donkey
a. Imperforate
5588 Cotton Patch goose
a. Imperforate
5589 San Clemente Island goat
a. Imperforate
5590 American Cream draft horse
a. Imperforate
5591 Cayuga duck
a. Imperforate
5592 Barbados Blackbelly sheep
a. Imperforate
b. Block of 10, #5583-5592
c. Imperforate block of 10, #5583a-5592a

Updated April 8th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark for this issue measures 2.96″ x 1.45″ The B&W pictorial measures 2.75″ x 1.17″

From the Postal Bulletin:

On May 17, 2021, in Mount Vernon, VA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Heritage Breeds stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in 10 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 480400). These stamps will go on sale nationwide May 17, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Heritage Breeds commemorative pane of 20 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.

These stamps pay tribute to heritage breeds, pre-industrial farm animals that are enjoying renewed attention for their versatility, adaptability, and unique genetic traits. This pane of 20 stamps includes photographs of 10 heritage breeds:

  • American Mammoth Jackstock donkey,
  • Narragansett turkey,
  • Cayuga duck,
  • San Clemente Island goat,
  • Mulefoot hog,
  • Cotton Patch goose,
  • American Cream draft horse,
  • Barbados Blackbelly sheep,
  • Milking Devon cow, and
  • Wyandotte chicken.

Zack Bryant designed the stamps with photographs by Aliza Eliazarov. Greg Breeding served as art director.

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. 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 – Heritage Breeds Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by September 17, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Heritage Breeds Stamps
Item Number: 480400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (10 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: May 17, 2021, Mount Vernon VA 22121
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville VA
Designer: Zack Bryant, Charlottesville VA
Existing Photos:: Aliza Eliazarov, Brooklyn NY
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 25,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Red PMS 7621, Black PMS 7C
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.085 x 1.42 in./ 27.559 x 36.068 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.56 in./31.115 x 39.624 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.12 x 8.375 in./180.848 x 212.725 mm
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by six (6) single digits in bottom two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Heritage Breeds • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (480400) • Plate position diagram (4) • Promotional text

Updated April 2nd:
Why Mount Vernon for the first-day city? It has nothing to do with George Washington. It’s about the cows.

The breed shown is endangered. According to Wikipedia, “A herd of Milking Devons are currently being preserved by the Accokeek Foundation’s Heritage Breed Livestock Conservation Program within the National Colonial Farm at Piscataway Park to increase public awareness of this threatened cattle breed.” That’s a National Park, listed as being in Maryland, but the portion that has the National Colonial Farm is run by Accokeek Foundation.

That’s still in Maryland, but right across the Potomac River from the Mount Vernon, VA, post office (two miles as the crow flies).

On the other hand, you’ll pass the Accocreek MD post office on the most direct route between the park and Mount Vernon. (Technically, it’s 5 miles away, again, if you’re a crow.)Just a guess: The Accocreek Post Office may not have the staff or experience to handle a first-day.

Updated March 17th:
These stamps will be issued May 17th with a first-day city of Mount Vernon, VA.

Updated January 7th:
A mat in a suburban Washington, DC, post office indicates a issue date of May 17th. USPS headquarters does not confirm.

Brush Rabbit (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: The Postal Service features a brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani) on this beautiful new additional-ounce stamp, available on a pane of 20 or in a coil of 100. The pencil-and-watercolor illustration is from preexisting artwork by designer and illustrator Dugald Stermer. The brush rabbit is a small brownish cottontail rabbit of the U.S. West Coast and Baja California, Mexico. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.

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


Updated December 17th:

This stamp will be issued in two formats on Sunday, January 24th, with a first-day city of Sacramento, CA. (Note that the breed of rabbit shown is native to the U.S. West Coast.)

The only first-day postmark is the four-bar First Day of Issue “killer bar.”

From the Postal Bulletin:

On January 24, 2021, in Sacramento, CA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Brush Rabbit stamp (Non-denominated Additional Ounce Rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 121100) and a PSA coil of 100 stamps (Item 740300). This stamp will go on sale nationwide January 24, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

A new additional ounce stamp features a brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani). The pencil-and-watercolor illustration is from pre-existing artwork by designer and illustrator Dugald Stermer (1936–2011). The brush rabbit is a small brownish cottontail rabbit of the U.S. West Coast and Baja California, Mexico. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.

  • Item 121100, Brush Rabbit (Non-denominated, Additional Ounce) PSA Pane of 20 Stamps
  • Item 740300, Brush Rabbit (Non-denominated, Additional Ounce) PSA Coil of 100 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 – Brush Rabbit 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, 2021.

Technical Specifications — sheet version:

Issue: Brush Rabbit Stamp
Item Number: 121100
Denomination &Type of Issue: Non-denominated Additional Ounce Rate
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 24, 2021, Sacramento, CA
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Art: Dugald Stermer
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 50,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 7529 C Grey
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.542 x 21.336 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.87096 x 0.98 in./22.122 x 24.892 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.35 x 4.93 in./135.89 x 125.222 mm
Plate Size: 400 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners of pane
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (121100) • Plate position diagram (10) • Promotional text

Technical Specifications — coil version:

Issue: Brush Rabbit Stamp
Item Number: 740300
Denomination &Type of Issue: Non-denominated Additional Ounce Rate
Format: Coil of 100
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 24, 2021, Sacramento, CA
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Art: Dugald Stermer
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 60,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.542 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87096 x 0.98 in./21.122 x 24.892 mm
Coil Size (w x h): 87.00 x 0.98 in./2209.80 x 24.892 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 7529 C Grey
Plate Size: 744 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by five (5) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 32nd stamp below stamp image

Day of The Dead (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: In recent decades, Day of the Dead has caught on in the United States as a festive and increasingly popular celebration for all ages. These new stamps will be the first issued by the U.S. Postal Service to mark this holiday. Luis Fitch designed and illustrated the stamps. Antonio Alcalá was the art director.

These stamps will be issued September 30th with a ceremony in El Paso, Texas.

Here are the Scott catalogue numbers:
5640 Girl’s Skull with Bow
a. Imperforate
5641 Man’s Skull with Hat
a. Imperforate
5642 Woman’s Skull with Curled Hair
a. Imperforate
5643 Boy’s Skull
a. Imperforate
b. Horiz. strip of 4, #5640-5643
c. Imperforate strip of 4, #5640a-5643a

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


Updated October 21st:
Here is the Digital Color Postmark for this issue:It measures 2.94″ x 1.37″. There is no pictorial black-and-white postmark for this issue, just the FIRST DAY OF ISSUE postmark.

Updated August 28th from the Postal Bulletin:
On September 30, 2021, in El Paso, TX, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Day of the Dead stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 481400). These stamps will go on sale nationwide September 30, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Day of the Dead pane of 20 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.

With the release of four colorful new stamps, the Postal Service™ celebrates Day of the Dead, an increasingly popular holiday in the United States. The stamp art features several iconic elements of a traditional Day of the Dead ofrenda, or offering, which honors departed relatives as well as heroes. Stylized, decorated “sugar skulls” are personalized as four family members, one per stamp. The lit candles flanking each sugar skull are beacons to guide deceased loved ones on their annual return journey to the land of the living. Dotting each stamp and embellishing their shared vertical borders are marigolds (cempazuchitles), the most popular Day of the Dead flower. Luis Fitch designed and illustrated the stamps. Antonio Alcalá was the art director.

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. 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 – Day of the Dead 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 30, 2022.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Day of the Dead Stamps
Item Number: 481400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: September 30, 2021, El Paso, TX 79910
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Luis Fitch, Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Luis Fitch, Minneapolis, MN
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 35,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: PMS 185 C, PMS 191 C, PMS 3262 C, PMS 376 C, PMS 021 C, PMS Purple C, PMS 213 C, PMS Yellow C, PMS Black 6 C
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.05 x 0.77 in./ 26.67 x 19.558 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.19 x 0.91 in./30.226 x 23.114 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.76 x 5.55 in./146.304 x 140.97 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 23.04 x 11.1 in./585.216 x 281.94 mm
Plate Size: 320 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by nine (9) single digits in four corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (481400) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Updated August 25th:

[ceremony advisory]
Lively Day of the Dead Stamps Available Soon

WHAT: The U.S. Postal Service celebrates Day of the Dead with four colorful new stamps.

The first-day-of-issue event for the Day of the Dead stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #DayoftheDeadstamps.

WHO: Michael J. Elston, secretary of the USPS Board of Governors, will serve as dedicating official.

WHEN: Thursday, Sep. 30, 2021, at 11 a.m. MDT

WHERE: El Paso Museum of Art
One Arts Festival Plaza
El Paso, TX 79901

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

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, Día de los Muertos, as it is known in Spanish, has caught on in the United States as a festive celebration for all ages. These new stamps from the U.S. Postal Service showcase the Day of the Dead holiday, in all its flower-bedecked splendor.

This pane of 20 Forever stamps contains five identical rows of four colorful stamps featuring several iconic elements of a traditional Day of the Dead offering. Stylized, decorated “sugar skulls” are personalized as family members — a child with a hair bow, a father sporting a hat and mustache, a mother with curled hair, and another child. The vibrant colors of marigold flowers and other embellishments, along with the white of the sugar skulls, stand out brightly from the stamps’ black background.

Luis Fitch designed and illustrated the stamps. Antonio Alcalá was the art director.

Day of the Dead, with all its exuberant color, life-affirming joy, and appeal for the whole family, is fast becoming a popular American holiday.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Backyard Games (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: These stamps capture many of the games Americans play for outdoor fun. A pane of 16 stamps features eight unique designs including: badminton, bocce, cornhole, croquet, flying disc, horseshoes, tetherball and a variation on pick-up baseball. Greg Breeding was the art director. Mike Ryan designed the stamps with original artwork by Mick Wiggins.

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


Updated October 4th:
The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are:

5627 Horseshoes
a. Imperforate
5628 Bocce
a. Imperforate
5629 Flying Disc
a. Imperforate
5630 Croquet
a. Imperforate
5631 Pick-up Baseball Variation
a. Imperforate
5632 Tetherball
a. Imperforate
5633 Badminton
a. Imperforate
5634 Cornhole
a. Imperforate
b. Block of 8, #5626-5634
c. Imperforate block of 8, #5626a-5634a

Updated July 30th:
[ceremony details]
Endless Amusement to be Featured on U.S. Postage Stamps

What: The U.S. Postal Service will celebrate many popular games played by Americans of all ages with the issuance of the Backyard Games Forever stamps.

News of these stamps is being shared with the hashtag #backyardgamesstamps.

Who: Judy de Torok, vice president, Corporate Affairs, U.S. Postal Service

William J. Gicker, Jr., director, Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service

Scott D. English, executive director, American Philatelic Society Administrator, American Philatelic Research Library

Thomas Chen, Midwest Badminton Club

Alex P. Gara, president, American Bocce Company, LLC.

Greg Breeding, art director

When: Thursday, August 12, 2021, at 11 a.m. CT

Where:
Great American Stamp Show 2021
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
5555 N River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018

(Note: To RSVP: usps.com/backyardgames)

Background: This pane of 16 Forever stamps features eight unique designs illustrating a variety of backyard games — badminton, bocce, cornhole, croquet, flying disc, horseshoes, tetherball and a variation on pick-up baseball. Each design emphasizes the movement of the game pieces, giving a dynamic quality to the artwork. Using a simplified style that evokes the nostalgic feeling of playing backyard games as a child, illustrator Mick Wiggins created the digital illustrations with the iconography of vintage sporting posters in mind.

Greg Breeding was the art director. Mike Ryan designed the stamps with original artwork by Wiggins.

The Backyard Games stamps are being issued as Forever stamps. These Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.

Updated July 7th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark for this issue measures 2.86″ x 1.25″ The pictorial postmark measures 2.39″ x 1.33″. A Great American Stamp Show pictorial is also likely to be available.

Updated July 1st from the Postal Bulletin:
On August 12, 2021, in Rosemont, IL, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Backyard Games stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in eight designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 16 stamps (Item 481200). These stamps will go on sale nationwide August 12, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Backyard Games pane of 16 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually. With this issuance, the Postal Service™ celebrates the many games Americans play for outdoor recreation. A pane of 16 stamps features eight unique digital designs of the following backyard games:

  • Badminton,
  • Bocce,
  • Cornhole,
  • Croquet,
  • Flying disc,
  • Horseshoes,
  • Tetherball, and
  • A variation on pick-up baseball.

Greg Breeding was the art director. Mike Ryan designed the stamps with original artwork by Mick Wiggins.

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. 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 – Backyard Games 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 12, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Backyard Games Stamps
Item Number: 481200
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 16 (8 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: August 12, 2021, Rosemont, IL 60018
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Mike Ryan, Charlottesville, VA
Illustrator: Mick Wiggins, Little Rock, AR
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 16
Print Quantity: 25,600,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.77 x 1.05 in./ 19.558 x 26.67 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.91 x 1.19 in./ 23.114 x 30.226 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.3 x 6.875 in./ 109.22 x 174.625 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 22 x 13.75 in./ 558.8 x 349.25 mm
Plate Size: 160 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits in two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Backyard Games • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (481200) • Plate position diagram (10) • Promotional text

Updated May 8th, 2021:
Heard in an online discussion today: These stamps will be issued at Great American Stamp Show, Rosemont, Illinois, on Thursday, August 12th. This was confirmed by the Postal Service on May 18th.

Barns (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: Four new postcard stamps celebrate the beauty and history of American barns. With differing qualities of light and color, each piece reflects one of the four seasons: a round barn surrounded by the hazy light and warm colors of fall, a gambrel-roofed barn in summer, a forebay barn in an early spring countryside, and a Western barn on a winter’s night. Ashley Walton designed the stamps with original artwork by Kim Johnson. Greg Breeding was the art director.

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


Updated December 17th:

This stamp will be issued in two formats on Sunday, January 24th, with a first-day city of Barnesville, GA.

The only first-day postmark is the four-bar First Day of Issue “killer bar.”

From the Postal Bulletin:

On January 24, 2021, in Barnesville, GA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Barns stamps (Non-denominated priced at the Postcard rate) in 4 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 120900) and a PSA coil of 100 stamps (Item 740200). The stamps will go on sale nationwide January 24, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

Four new postcard stamps celebrate the beauty and history of American barns. The artist created digital paintings of four types of iconic barns found in the rural American landscape. With differing qualities of light and color, each piece reflects one of the four seasons:

  • A round barn surrounded by the hazy light and warm colors of fall;
  • A gambrel-roofed barn in summer;
  • A forebay barn in an early spring countryside; and
  • A Western barn on a winter’s night.

Ashley Walton designed the stamps with original artwork by Kim Johnson. Greg Breeding was the art director.

  • Item 120900, Barns (Non-denominated, Postcard Rate) PSA Pane of 20 Stamps
  • Item 740200, Barns (Non-denominated, Postcard Rate) PSA Coil of 100 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 – Barns 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 24, 2021.

Technical Specifications — sheet version:

Issue: Barns Stamps
Item Number: 120900
Denomination & Type of Issue: Postcard Rate Non-denominated, Mail-use
Format: Pane of 20 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 24, 2021, Barnesville, GA
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Ashley Walton, Charlottesville, VA
Artist: Kim Johnson, Stamford, CT
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 100,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 0.73 in./21.336 x 18.542 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.98 x 0.87 in./24.892 x 22.098 mm
Pane Size (w x h): 4.93 x 5.35 in./125.22 x 135.89 mm
Plate Size: 160 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Front: Plate number in four (4) corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram (8) • Barcode (120900) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text

Technical Specifications — coil version:

Issue: Barns Stamps
Item Number: 740200
Denomination &Type of Issue: Postcard Rate Non-denominated, Mail-use
Format: Coil of 100 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 24, 2021, Barnesville, GA
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Ashley Walton, Charlottesville, VA
Artist: Kim Johnson, Stamford, CT
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 400,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 0.73 in./21.336 x 18.542 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.98 x 0.87 in./24.892 x 22.098 mm
Plate Size: 768 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 32nd stamp below stamp image

Colorado Hairstreak (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: The Colorado hairstreak graces the eighth nonmachinable butterfly stamp for use on irregularly sized envelopes, such as square greeting cards, invitations or announcements. The stamp art is a highly stylized, simplified image of a Colorado hairstreak (Hypaurotis crysalus). Artist Tom Engeman created the stamp art. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Here is a Dragon Card first day cover showing the previous 7 stamps in this series:

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


Updated August 31st:
After the August 29th rate increase, this stamp only covers the non-machineable rate and has a price of 88¢.

Updated April 6th:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5568.

Updated March 3rd:
The only first-day postmark for this issue is the FIRST DAY OF ISSUE “killer bar.”

Updated March 2nd:
[from USPS — Ceremony Details] [click pictures for bigger version]
Colorado’s Hairstreak Butterfly Featured on New Stamp for Irregularly Shaped Cards

WHAT: The shimmering purple of the Colorado hairstreak butterfly will be commemorated by the U.S. Postal Service as the eighth stamp in the non-machineable butterfly stamp series.

The virtual dedication event for the Colorado Hairstreak stamp is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag#ColoradoHairstreakstamps.

WHO: William D. Zollars, Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service

Dr. Paul A. Opler, Professor, Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University

WHEN: Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. EST

WHERE: The virtual stamp event will be hosted on the U.S. Postal Service Facebook and Twitter pages.

RSVP: Please visit usps.com/cohairstreakbutterfly for details of the virtual stamp dedication ceremony.

BACKGROUND: Colorado’s state insect, the vibrant Colorado hairstreak, lives among oak trees in that state and the rest of the Four Corners states — Arizona, New Mexico and Utah — as well as eastern Nevada, southern Wyoming and northern Mexico.

Colorado hairstreak caterpillars hatch in the spring from eggs laid the previous autumn. Plump and green with white fuzz, they feed on the tender new leaves of their host plant, the Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), also known as the “scrub oak.”

After metamorphosis, the butterfly emerges from its cocoon in late spring or summer. The butterflies dart in and out of the tree’s branches, feeding on the tree’s sap and fallen raindrops. Mature males look for females receptive to mating. Later, the female lays her eggs singly on the host plant and the cycle of life begins anew not far from their ancestral home. In its entire life, the Colorado hairstreak may travel no more than a few yards from where it hatched.

These colorful square non-machineable surcharge stamps were developed in collaboration with the greeting card industry and will be issued in panes of 20 for use on irregular-size envelopes, such as square greeting cards, invitations or announcements. The words “NON-MACHINEABLE SURCHARGE” on the stamp indicate its usage value. The stamp is being issued at the current rate of 75 cents and, like a Forever stamp, this stamp will always be valid for the class of mail printed on it.

Updated February 1st:
Formats corrected in earlier entry. There will be just the one, a pane of 20.

Updated January 29th from the Postal Bulletin:
On March 9, 2021, in Estes Park, CO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Colorado Hairstreak stamp (Non-denominated priced at the Non-machineable Surcharge rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 121200). This stamp will go on sale nationwide March 9, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

The Colorado hairstreak graces the eighth non-machineable butterfly stamp for use on irregularly-sized envelopes, such as square greeting cards, invitations, or announcements. The stamp art was created digitally using images of preserved butterflies as a starting point. The result is a highly-stylized, simplified image of a Colorado hairstreak (Hypaurotis crysalus) rather than an exact replica. The Colorado hairstreak, that state’s official insect, is not attracted to flowers. The small, shimmering, purple butterfly perches in oak trees in the Southwest, sipping sap and raindrops. Tom Engeman created the stamp art. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

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. 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 – Colorado Hairstreak 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 July 9, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Colorado Hairstreak Stamp
Item Number: 121200
Denomination & Type of Issue: Non-machineable Surcharge
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: March 9, 2021, Estes Park, CO 80517
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Artist: Tom Engeman, Kensington, MD
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
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: Black, Pantone 1795, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
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): 5.9 x 7.12 in./149.86 x 180.848 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by five (5) single digits in four corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Colorado Hairstreak • Plate number in four corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (121200) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Updated January 25th:
This stamp will be issued on Tuesday, March 9th, with a first-day city of Estes Park, CO. That’s about 50 miles northwest of Denver, and the location of the headquarters for the Rocky Mountain National Park.

According to the Park’s website, it is home to 141 species of butterflies, and not just the Colorado Hairstreak, but at least eight Hairstreak varieties! They’re all part of the Gossamer Wing family, or Lycaenidae.

Mystery Message (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: The new Mystery Message stamp will put your sleuthing skills to the test. Featuring bright colors and interesting shapes, the stamp design is a visual riddle spelling out a message. Each colorful square contains a letter in an interesting pattern. The patterns, though seemingly random, were carefully placed so that when put all together, the message reads, “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE!” Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp.

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


Updated August 2nd:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:
The regular stamp is 5614. The imperforate variety is 5614a.

Updated June 17th:
Here are the postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.98″ x 1.29″ The B&W pictorial postmark measures 2.76″ x 1.21″

Updated June 17th from the Postal Bulletin:
On July 14, 2021, in Washington, DC, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Mystery Message stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 480700). This stamp will go on sale nationwide July 14, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

The new Mystery Message stamp is designed to put your sleuthing skills to the test! Featuring bright colors and interesting shapes, the stamp design is a visual riddle spelling out a difficult-to-discern message. Each colorful square contains a letter in an interesting pattern. The patterns, though seemingly random, were carefully placed so that when put all together, the message reads, “More Than Meets the Eye!” The reverse side of the pane provides the solution. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp.

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. 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 – Mystery Message 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 14, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Mystery Message Stamp
Item Number: 480700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 14, 2021, Washington, DC 20066
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Flexographic, Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 20,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Gray PMS Cool Gray 5C
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
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): 5.8375 x 7.12 in. / 148.272 x 180.848 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 14.24 x 23.35 in. / 361.696 X 593.09 mm
Plate Size: 160 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits in bottom two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Mystery Message • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (480700) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text • “More Than Meets The Eye!”

Updated June 15th:
[press release]
Mystery Message in New Forever Stamps

WHAT: Put your sleuthing skills to the test with the bright colors and interesting shapes of the new Mystery Message Forever stamp. The U.S. Postal Service offers intrigue and excitement for customers with a stamp that needs deciphering to be fully appreciated.

News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #MysteryMessageStamps.

WHO: Hon. Robert M. Duncan, governor, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors

Tamara Christian, president and chief operating officer, International Spy Museum

Rebecca Roberts, program curator, Planet Word Museum

WHEN: Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 10 a.m. ET

WHERE:
International Spy Museum
700 L’Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, DC 20024

The story behind the stamp will also be featured on the U.S. Postal Service Facebook and Twitter pages, posting at 1 p.m. ET.

BACKGROUND: The new Mystery Message Forever stamp is designed to put your sleuthing skills to the test! Featuring bright colors and interesting shapes, the stamp design is a visual riddle spelling out a difficult-to-discern message. Each colorful square contains a letter in an interesting pattern.

The seemingly random patterns were carefully placed so that when put all together, the message reads (here is a “spoiler alert”): “More Than Meets the Eye!” The reverse side of the pane also provides the solution.

Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp. The Mystery Message stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Postal Products: Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling (844) 737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Updated March 17th:
This stamp will be issued July 14th with Washington, DC, as the first-day city. “Why?” is still a mystery.