Announced by the USPS on October 24, 2022.

The Postal Service continues its tradition of celebrating the U.S. flag with this stamp, available in panes of 20, booklets of 20, and coils of 100, 3,000 and 10,000. The stamp art bears a straightforward graphic design of OId Glory. Providing a solid foundation for the flag are the word “FREEDOM” in gray and, below it, “FOREVER/USA.” Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with existing art by Hong Li.

New information will appear below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated July 3^rd:
Scott updated the numbers for this issue:

5787 (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ sheet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe (Banknote printing)

5788 (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 9½ vert. coil stamp, with microprinted “USPS” below lower left corner of flag field (Ashton-Potter print)

5789 (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 10¾ coil stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe, stamps not adjacent on roll (Banknote printing)
5789A (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe, stamps adjacent on roll (Banknote printing)

5790 (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides booklet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” below lower left corner of flag field (Ashton-Potter print)
a. Convertible booklet pane of 20

5791 (63c) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides booklet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe (Banknote printing)
a. Convertible booklet pane of 20

Updated June 6^th:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:

• 5787 (63¢) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ sheet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe (Banknote printing)
• 5788 (63¢) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 9½ vert. coil stamp, with microprinted “USPS” below lower left corner of flag field (Ashton-Potter print)
• 5789 (63¢) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 10¾ coil stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe, stamps not adjacent on roll (Banknote printing)
  a. Serpentine die cut 11, stamps adjacent on roll (Banknote printing)
• 5790 (63¢) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides booklet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” below lower left corner of flag field (Ashton-Potter print)
  a. Convertible booklet pane of 20
• 5791 (63¢) Flag and “Freedom,” serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides booklet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” at right of lowest flag stripe (Banknote printing)
  a. Convertible booklet pane of 20

Updated March 9^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.55″ x 1.41″ There is no pictorial for this issue, just the FDOI “killer bars.”

Updated March 9^th:
This stamp will be issued, in five formats on Monday, April 10, in Freedom, Maine, about 30 miles northeast of Augusta and 30 miles west-southwest of Bangor.

From the Postal Bulletin:

On April 10, 2023, in Freedom, ME, the United States Postal Service® will issue the U.S. Flag stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in the following formats:

• A pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 122700).
• A PSA double-sided booklet of 20 stamps (Item 684300).
• A PSA coil of 100 stamps (Item 740700).
• A PSA coil of 3,000 stamps (Item 751300).
• A PSA coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 761400).
• A PSA coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 761400)

This stamp will go on sale nationwide April 10, 2023, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

With the issuance of the 2023 U.S. Flag stamp, the Postal Service™ continues its long tradition of honoring the American flag. The stamp art bears a straightforward graphic design of the red, white, and blue. Providing a solid foundation for the flag are the words “FREEDOM” in gray and, below it, “FOREVER / USA.” Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with existing art by Hong Li.

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 store.usps.com/store/home. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – U.S. Flag Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by August 10, 2023.

Technical Specifications — Pane of 20:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 122700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2023, Freedom, ME 04941
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Existing Art: Hong Li
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 100,000,000
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
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): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm
Pane Size (w x h): 5.30 x 4.88 in / 134.62 x 123.952 mm
Colors: Pantone 3546C, Pantone Cool Gray 5C, Pantone 7687C
Plate Size: 320 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by three (3) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners
Back: ©2022 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (122700) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Technical Specifications — Booklet of 20:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 684300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-sided Booklet of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2023, Freedom, ME 04941
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Illustrator: Hong Li
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 900,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged
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 / 18.542 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.52 x 1.96 in / 140.208 x 49.784 mm
Colors: Pantone 7687C, Pantone 3546C, Pantone Cool Gray 5C
Plate Size: 1040 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by three (3) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header: “U.S. FLAG”, 20 First-Class Forever Stamps • ©2022 USPS in peel strip area • Barcode • USPS logo • Promotional text • Plate number in peel strip area

Technical Specifications — Coil of 100:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 740700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 100 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2023, Freedom, ME 04941
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Illustrator: Hong Li
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 1,350,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Pantone 7687C, Pantone 3546C, Pantone Cool Gray 5C
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): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm
Plate Size: 744 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by three (3) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 31st stamp below stamp image

Technical Specifications — Coil of 3,000:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 751300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 3,000 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2023, Freedom, ME 04941
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Illustrator: Hong Li
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 3,000
Print Quantity: 15,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Pantone 3546C, Pantone Cool Gray 5C, Pantone 7687C
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): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm
Plate Size: 540 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by three (3) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 27th stamp below stamp image

Technical Specifications — Coil of 10,000:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 761400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 10,000 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2023, Freedom, ME 04941
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Illustrator: Hong Li
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 10,000
Print Quantity: 125,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Pantone 3546C, Pantone Cool Gray 5C, Pantone 7687C
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): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm
Plate Size: 540 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by three (3) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 27th stamp below stamp image

Announced by the USPS on October 24, 2022.

Home to the most visited national park in the United States, the Great Smoky Mountains boast extensive national forests and a vast array of native plants and animals. Equally rich in history, folkways and culture, they are an American treasure, which the Postal Service celebrates with this new Priority Mail Express stamp. The stamp art captures an iconic mountain scene located near Newfound Gap between Gatlinburg, TN, and Cherokee, NC. In the foreground, a red-tailed hawk flies over the landscape. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

New information will appear below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated March 7^th:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5752

Updated December 29^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.83″ x 1.50″ There is no pictorial postmark for this issue. This is the B&W postmark.

 Updated November 30^th:
This stamp will be issued Sunday, January 22, in Gatlinburg, TN, without a ceremony. Gatlinburg’s post office is not open on Sundays.

Announced by the USPS on October 24, 2022.

Celebrate 50 years since the first Love stamp was issued with two new Love stamps, one featuring a kitten and the other a puppy with their front paws resting atop a big heart. The word “LOVE” is featured in all caps behind each animal. The stamp designs were painted with oils on wood panel, then scanned and edited digitally. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps with original art by Chris Buzelli.

New information will appear below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated March 7^th:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:

5745 (60¢) Love – Kitten and Heart
a. Imperforate
5746 (60¢) Love – Puppy and Heart
a. Imperforate
b. Horiz. or vert. pair, #5745-5746
c. Imperforate horiz. or vert. pair, #5745a-5746a

Updated December 28^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 1.37″ x 1.49″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.71″ x 1.02″

Updated December 20^th:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Embraces America’s Furry Friends with New Love Forever Stamps

What: The U.S. Postal Service will honor America’s love affair with beloved canine and feline pets with the issuance of its new Love 2023 Forever stamps.

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

Who: Judy de Torok, corporate affairs vice president, U.S. Postal Service, will serve as dedicating official.

When: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at 11 a.m. CST

Where: Austin Pets Alive!
1156 West Cesar Chavez St.
Austin, TX 78703

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

Background: Cats and dogs are two of America’s favorite pets, and it is no surprise that connecting with pets has benefits. Pets provide companionship and love; interacting with a cuddly kitten or a playful puppy can reduce loneliness and raise spirits. Some studies have even shown that pets might also be responsible for lower blood pressure, improved heart health and lowered stress.

Evoking feelings of warmth and playfulness, each stamp shows a cute and cuddly animal resting its front paws on a big red heart. Sure to add a bit of whimsy to your valentines, these adorable stamps are also suitable for use on letters and cards throughout the year.
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 December 15^th from the Postal Bulletin:
On January 19, 2023, in Austin, TX, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Love 2023 stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in two designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 580800). These stamps will go on sale nationwide January 19, 2023, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

The Postal Service™ continues its popular Love series with two new stamps, one featuring a kitten and the other a puppy with the word “LOVE” in all caps behind each animal. Both kitten and puppy are shown with their front paws resting atop a big red heart. The stamp designs were painted with oils on wood panel, then scanned and edited digitally to create the final pieces of art. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps with original art by Chris Buzelli.

Item 580800

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 store.usps.com/store/home. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Love 2023 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 19, 2023.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Love 2023 Stamps
Item Number: 580800
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (2 designs)
Series: Love
Issue Date & City: January 19, 2023, Austin, TX, 78710
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Artist: Chris Buzelli, New York, NY
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 200,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Pantone 871, Pantone Warm Gray 1
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): 5.55 x 5.76 in / 140.97 x 146.304 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 23.04 x 11.10 in / 585.216 x 281.94 mm
Plate Size: 320 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by six (6) single digits in four corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners
Back: ©2022 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (580800) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Updated November 30^th:
These stamps will be issued Thursday, January 19, in Austin, Texas.

Announced by the USPS on October 24, 2022.

The fourth of 12 stamps in the latest Lunar New Year stamp series celebrates the Year of the Rabbit. Calling to mind the elaborately decorated masks used in the dragon or lion dances often performed in Lunar New Year parades, this three-dimensional mask depicting a rabbit is a contemporary take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk art crafts created during this auspicious time of year. The rabbit mask design incorporates colors and patterns with symbolic meaning. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp and pane with original art by Camille Chew.

New information will appear below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated December 28^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.95″ x 1.43″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.61″ x 1.22″

Updated December 13^th:
[ceremony details] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Gets Festive With a Lunar New Year Stamp

What: The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate the Lunar New Year in San Francisco with the unveiling of the Year of the Rabbit Forever stamp.

The first-day-of-issue event for the stamp is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #LunarNewYear and #LunarNewYearRabbit.

Who: Derek Kan, governor, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors

London N. Breed, mayor, San Francisco

Fiona Ma, state treasurer, California

Jay Xu, director, Asian Art Museum

When: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at 11 a.m. PST

Where: Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

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

Background: The Postal Service will issue the latest Lunar New Year stamp celebrating the Year of the Rabbit. This stamp design calls to mind the elaborately decorated masks used in the dragon or lion dances often performed in Lunar New Year parades. This three-dimensional mask depicting a rabbit is a contemporary take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk art crafts created during this auspicious time of year. The rabbit mask design incorporates colors and patterns with symbolic meaning.

Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp and the pane with original art by Camille Chew.

The Year of the Rabbit stamp is being issued in panes of 20. It will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year for many Asian communities around the world and is primarily celebrated by people of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan, Mongolian, Malaysian and Filipino heritage. Across these varied cultures, many traditions exist for ringing in a new year of good luck and prosperity.

Updated December 5^th from the Postal Bulletin:
On January 12, 2023, in San Francisco, CA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 482800). This stamp will go on sale nationwide January 12, 2023, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit commemorative pane of 20 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.

In 2023, the Postal Service™ will issue the fourth of 12 stamps in its latest Lunar New Year series. The Year of the Rabbit begins January 22, 2023, and ends on February 9, 2024. Calling to mind the elaborately decorated masks used in the dragon or lion dances often performed in Lunar New Year parades, this 3-dimensional mask depicting a rabbit is a contemporary take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk-art crafts created during this auspicious time of year. Simplified illustrations of the 12 zodiac animals form columns on the left and right sides of the stamp pane. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed this stamp issuance with original artwork by Camille Chew.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 482800, Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit (Forever Priced at the First-Class Mail Rate) PSA Pane of 20 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. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at store.usps.com/store/home. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Lunar New Year: Year of the 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 12, 2023.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit Stamp
Item Number: 482800
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Lunar New Year
Issue Date & City: January 12, 2023, San Francisco, CA, 94188
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Camille Chew, Providence, RI
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Foil Stamping, Flexographic, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 22,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Pantone 7579 Orange, Pantone 7563 Light Brown, Gold Foil Luxor MTS 413, Teal Foil Luxor MHC 327
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): 7.25 x 8.50 in / 184.15 x 215.90 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 14.50 x 19.50 in./368.30 x 495.30 mm
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by six (6) single digits in two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2022 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (482800) • Plate position diagram (4) • Promotional text

Updated November 30^th:
This stamp will be issued Thursday, January 12, in San Francisco.

The press release with descriptions of each issue is here.

Lunar New Year – Year of the Rabbit
Love
Great Smoky Mountains (Priority Mail Express)
U.S. Flag
Ernest J. Gaines
$10 Floral Geometry
Piñatas!
Red Fox
Sailboats
Snow Globes
Thinking of You
Tulip Blossoms
Winter Woodland Animals
Chief Standing Bear
Endangered Species
Railroad Stations
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Toni Morrison
Roy Lichtenstein
Waterfalls
Women’s Soccer
School Bus
Patriotic Block

[press release] [larger versions of the designs not yet available]
U.S. Postal Service Reveals Stamps for 2023
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Women’s Soccer and Roy Lichtenstein’s Art Are Featured

Notes: The Roy Liechtenstein section was revised by the USPS a few hours after the initial press release. Quick list of announced issues.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service announced today many of the stamps it will issue in 2023.

“The 2023 stamp program features a broad range of subjects and designs. These miniature works of art highlight our unique American culture and offer a broad selection for those looking to collect stamps or send their mail around the nation or the world,” said USPS Stamp Services Director William Gicker.

This is a partial list, with more to be revealed in the weeks and months ahead. All stamp designs are preliminary and subject to change.

Lunar New Year – Year of the Rabbit
The fourth of 12 stamps in the latest Lunar New Year stamp series celebrates the Year of the Rabbit. Calling to mind the elaborately decorated masks used in the dragon or lion dances often performed in Lunar New Year parades, this three-dimensional mask depicting a rabbit is a contemporary take on the long tradition of paper-cut folk art crafts created during this auspicious time of year. The rabbit mask design incorporates colors and patterns with symbolic meaning. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp and pane with original art by Camille Chew.

Love – Puppy & Kitten
Celebrate 50 years since the first Love stamp was issued with two new Love stamps, one featuring a kitten and the other a puppy with their front paws resting atop a big heart. The word “LOVE” is featured in all caps behind each animal. The stamp designs were painted with oils on wood panel, then scanned and edited digitally. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps with original art by Chris Buzelli.

Great Smoky Mountains (Priority Mail Express)
Home to the most visited national park in the United States, the Great Smoky Mountains boast extensive national forests and a vast array of native plants and animals. Equally rich in history, folkways and culture, they are an American treasure, which the Postal Service celebrates with this new Priority Mail Express stamp. The stamp art captures an iconic mountain scene located near Newfound Gap between Gatlinburg, TN, and Cherokee, NC. In the foreground, a red-tailed hawk flies over the landscape. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

U.S. Flag
The Postal Service continues its tradition of celebrating the U.S. flag with this stamp, available in panes of 20, booklets of 20, and coils of 100, 3,000 and 10,000. The stamp art bears a straightforward graphic design of OId Glory. Providing a solid foundation for the flag are the word “FREEDOM” in gray and, below it, “FOREVER/USA.” Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with existing art by Hong Li.

Ernest J. Gaines
The 46th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Ernest J. Gaines (1933-2019). Best known for such novels as “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “A Lesson Before Dying,” Gaines drew from his childhood as the son of sharecroppers on a Louisiana plantation to explore the untold stories of rural African Americans, adding a vital voice to American literature. The stamp features an oil painting of Gaines, based on a 2001 photograph. Mike Ryan designed the stamp with art by Robert Peterson. Greg Breeding served as art director.

$10 Floral Geometry
A new Floral Geometry stamp, denominated at $10, will be available for purchase, complementing the similarly designed $2 and $5 stamps issued in 2022. The stamps lend an elegant and contemporary appearance to packages, large envelopes and other mailings. The stamp art features a series of overlapping geometric shapes that mimic the symmetry of floral patterns found in nature. The watercolor background and the glimmer of the foil-stamped design and typography create a sophisticated look. The stamp will be issued in panes of four. The stamps were designed and created by the firm Spaeth Hill. Antonio Alcalá was the art director.

Piñatas!
Celebrate the fun and tradition of piñatas with a colorful new booklet of 20 stamps. The stamp art features four lively, digital illustrations of two traditional piñata designs — a donkey and a seven-point star. The bright, saturated color palette was inspired by Mexican culture, including the vibrant colors of small-town houses, traditional hand-sewn dresses, handmade toys and flowers, and classic piñatas themselves. Víctor Meléndez created the original art and designed the stamps. Antonio Alcalá was the art director.

Red Fox
The handsome face of a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) graces this new 40-cent stamp. Sold in panes of 20 and in self-adhesive coils of 3,000 and 10,000, the stamp is intended for use by bulk mailers for items such as circulars, newsletters and catalogs. It can also be used by customers who enjoy using a variety of stamps on their envelopes and packages. The stamp art features a pencil-and-watercolor illustration from preexisting artwork by wildlife illustrator Dugald Stermer (1936-2011). His penciled calligraphy on the stamp indicates the animal’s common name and its scientific classification. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.

Sailboats
Sailboats stamps celebrate a favorite American outdoor activity with two colorful new postcard stamps. They feature abstract illustrations that capture the joyful sensation of being on the water on a beautiful day. The graphic art was designed and created by artist Libby VanderPloeg, who also created the lettering for the word “postcard,” freehand on a digital tablet. Antonio Alcalá was art director for the project.

Snow Globes
Beloved by children and adults alike, snow globes can be miniature works of art, kitschy souvenirs or anything in between. Celebrating the spirit of the holidays, the Postal Service captures the playful pleasure of Christmas snow globes on four new stamps.

Painting in oil, the artist created spherical snow globes featuring icons of the season: a snowman wearing a jaunty red-and-white scarf; Santa Claus on a rooftop preparing to climb down the chimney; a reindeer standing in a snowy forest; and a snowy tree decorated with colorful ornaments. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps with original art by Gregory Manchess.

Thinking of You
Capturing the excitement and delight of receiving a card in the mail meant just for you, Thinking of You features five stamps in a pane of 20 and a host of die-cut, self-adhesive messages — perfect to accompany letters or cards sent to brighten someone’s day. Each stamp is designed in fun colors with different whimsical images, including flowers, balloons, cute animals, sweet treats and symbols of good luck. Words of encouragement and thoughtful affirmations surround the stamps on the pane. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps with original artwork by Ellen Surrey.

Tulip Blossoms
Close-up photographs of 10 beautiful tulips in a rainbow of colors grace this new booklet of 20 stamps. One blossom fills almost the entire frame of each stamp, with just the top of a stem peeking out from underneath. Since Dutch immigrants brought tulip bulbs to North America hundreds of years ago, the flower has become a dazzling part of our landscape. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps with existing photographs by Denise Ippolito.

Winter Woodland Animals
Connect to the natural beauty of the winter season and celebrate four species that make their homes in the woodlands of North America. Among the most familiar of wildlife, deer, rabbits, owls and foxes are found across much of the American landscape. This booklet of 20 stamps features graphic illustrations of these four animals in different woodland settings in winter. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps with Katie Kirk, who illustrated the stamps.

Chief Standing Bear
This stamp issuance honors Chief Standing Bear (ca. 1829-1908), who won a landmark court ruling in 1879 that determined that Native Americans were persons under the law with inherent rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The stamp features a portrait of Chief Standing Bear by Thomas Blackshear II, based on a black-and-white photograph taken in 1877. The color of Standing Bear’s attire was based mainly on contemporary descriptions. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Endangered Species
Under the Endangered Species Act, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2023, more than 1,300 imperiled plant and animal species are safeguarded to increase their chances of survival. With this pane of 20 stamps, the Postal Service presents a photographic portfolio of 20 representative endangered animal species. Those featured are found within the 50 states and U.S. territories and possessions or living near U.S. borders. The images are among more than 13,000 in photographer Joel Sartore’s “Photo Ark,” his project to document as many animal species as possible. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps with Sartore’s existing photographs.

Railroad Stations
Noteworthy railroad stations began brightening the American landscape by the 1870s and, although many were torn down once they had outlived their original purpose, hundreds survived. This issuance of 20 stamps features five architectural gems that continue to play important roles in their communities: Tamaqua Station in Pennsylvania; Point of Rocks Station in Maryland; Main Street Station in Richmond, VA; Santa Fe Station in San Bernardino, CA; and Union Terminal in Cincinnati, OH. Passenger trains stop at all of them except Tamaqua. Derry Noyes served as art director. Down the Street Designs created the digital illustrations and typography.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg
This stamp honors Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020), the 107th Supreme Court Justice of the United States. After beginning her career as an activist lawyer fighting gender discrimination, Justice Ginsburg became a respected jurist whose important majority opinions advancing equality and strong dissents on socially controversial rulings made her a passionate proponent of equal justice and an icon of American culture. The stamp features an oil painting of Justice Ginsburg facing the viewer in her black judicial robe with an intricate white collar. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with art by Michael J. Deas, based on a photograph by Philip Bermingham.

Toni Morrison
Author Toni Morrison (1931-2019) is honored in this stamp issuance. Her artfully crafted novels explored the diverse voices and multifaceted experiences of African Americans. Known for such books as “The Bluest Eye,” “Song of Solomon” and “Beloved,” Morrison was the rare author who achieved both bestseller status and critical success. In 1993, she made history as the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. The stamp features a photograph of Morrison taken in 2000. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with photography by Deborah Feingold.

Roy Lichtenstein
The work of the iconic American artist of the pop art movement, Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997) is celebrated with a stamp issuance in his honor. Each of the five stamps in this pane of 20 features one work of art by Lichtenstein: “Standing Explosion (Red)” (porcelain enamel on steel, 1965); “Modern Painting I” (acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 1966); “Still Life with Crystal Bowl” (acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 1972); “Still Life with Goldfish” (acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 1972); and “Portrait of a Woman” (acrylic, oil, graphite pencil on canvas, 1979). The selvage features a photograph of Lichtenstein by Bob Adelman with the artist’s face framed by a model of his 1983 sculpture Brushstrokes in Flight. Derry Noyes served as art director and designer for this issuance.

Waterfalls
Among nature’s most beautiful wonders, waterfalls come in all shapes and sizes, from serene cascades to mighty cataracts. The Postal Service celebrates the variety and beauty of American waterfalls with 12 new stamps. Each stamp features a photograph with the name of the waterfall and state in which it is located. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps and pane with existing photographs.

Women’s Soccer
This stamp issuance celebrates women’s soccer in the United States. From youth leagues to the elite world champion U.S. national team, millions of girls and women throughout the country participate in this fast-paced, competitive sport. The graphic stamp artwork depicts a female soccer player in action, walloping a ball with a side volley. Conjuring the aesthetic of mid-century print design, the illustrator used simplified shapes and bold colors to convey the high energy and fast motion of the sport. The somewhat grainy rendering lends a timeless quality to the design, evoking not just a single all-star athlete or era but the entire legacy of women’s soccer. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with an original illustration by Noah MacMillan (1988-2022).

School Bus
School Bus will be a new additional-ounce stamp, available in panes of 20 and coils of 100. The issuance celebrates the iconic yellow school bus and its role in ensuring that millions of children get to school and home again every day. The stamp features a stylized illustration of a 21st century yellow school bus, in profile in front of a silhouetted schoolhouse that is more evocative of an earlier era. Artist Steve Wolf worked with art director Greg Breeding and stamp designer Mike Ryan.

Patriotic Block
Patriotic Block will be a new nondenominated, nonprofit-price stamp intended for bulk mailings by authorized nonprofit organizations and will be sold in self-adhesive coils of 3,000 and 10,000. This stamp displays the components of the American flag — the stars and stripes — arranged in a four-quadrant block on a white background. Carol Beehler designed the stamp with art direction by Antonio Alcalá.