Ansel Adams (U.S. 2024)

Announced by the USPS on November 3, 2023:

One of the most renowned and influential artists of the 20th century, Ansel Adams (1902-1984) made thousands of awe-inspiring photographs that collectively create a rich visual portrait of the American landscape. A masterful photographer and dedicated environmentalist, Adams sought to imbue each of his black-and-white prints with the power and wonder he felt in the presence of nature. These 16 stamps feature some of Adams’s most famous images in his signature “straight photography” style, an approach defined by its precision and directness. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps.

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


Updated July 2nd:
Here are the basic Scott catalogue numbers for this issue. Each imperforate stamp (from the imperforate press sheet) has its own number, too, which you can find here:

Sc. 5854 pane of 16
a. Half Dome, Merced River, Winter, Yosemite National Park, California, 1938
b. Oak Tree, Sunset City, Sierra Foothills, California, 1962
c. Thundercloud, Ellery Lake, High Sierra, Sierra Nevada, California, 1934
d. Denali and Wonder Lake, Denali National Park, Alaska, 1947
e. The Golden Gate and Bridge from Baker Beach, San Francisco, California,1953
f. Road and Fog, Del Monte Forest, Pebble Beach, California, 1964
g. Rock and Grass, Moraine Lake, Sequoia National Park, California, 1936
h. Leaves, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, c. 1942
i. Monument Valley, Arizona, 1958
j. Tetons and Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, 1942
k. Jeffrey Pine, Sentinel Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, 1940
l. Mirror Lake, Mount Watkins, Spring, Yosemite National Park, California, 1935
m. Maroon Bells, near Aspen, Colorado, 1951
n. Aspens, Dawn, Autumn, Dolores River Canyon, Colorado, 1937
o. Road After Rain, Northern California, 1960
p. Dunes, Oceano, California, 1963

Updated April 17th:
These stamps are now available online for pre-ordering. USPS collectibles have been added to the U.S. 2024 Stamp Program listing for this issue (“USPS Order Numbers”).

Updated April 4th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.98″ x 1.40″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.65″ x 1.25″

From the Postal Bulletin:

On May 15, 2024, in Yosemite National Park, CA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Ansel Adams stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in 16 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 16 stamps (Item 485000). These stamps will go on sale nationwide May 15, 2024, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Ansel Adams commemorative pane of 16 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.

This stamp issuance honors Ansel Adams (1902–1984), one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, best known for his awe-inspiring black-and-white photographs of the American landscape. These 16 stamps feature some of Adams’ most famous images in his signature “straight photography” style, an approach defined by its precision and directness. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps using existing photographs.
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 – Ansel Adams 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 15, 2024.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Ansel Adams Stamps
Item Number: 485000
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 16 (16 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: May 15, 2024, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photos: Ansel Adams
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 16
Print Quantity: 20,000,000
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.4200 x 1.0850 in. / 36.0680 x
27.5590 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.5600 x 1.2250 in. / 39.6240 x
31.1150 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.2400 x 7.4100 in. / 183.8960 x
188.2140 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 21.7200 x 22.2300 in. / 551.6880 x
564.6420 mm
Plate Size: 144 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by one (1) single digit
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: ANSEL ADAMS • photographer, 1902 – 1984 • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: Ansel Adams photographs © The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust • © 2023 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (485000) • Plate position diagram (9) • Promotional text

Updated April 3rd:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Postal Service to Honor Ansel Adams With Stamps Showcasing 16 Stunning Portraits of the American Landscape

What: First-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Ansel Adams Forever stamps featuring 16 photographs made by the esteemed artist and environmentalist. The first-day-of-issue event for the Ansel Adams Forever stamps is free and open to all visitors of Yosemite National Park. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #AnselAdamsStamps.

Who: The Hon. Daniel Tangherlini, a member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, will serve as the dedicating official.
Matthew Adams, grandson of Ansel Adams
Cicely Muldoon, superintendent, Yosemite National Park
Scott Gediman, public affairs officer, Yosemite National Park
Shelton Johnson, park ranger, Yosemite National Park
Alan Ross, photographer

When: May 15, 2024, at 11 a.m. PDT

Where: The Ansel Adams Gallery
9031 Village Drive
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

RSVP: Ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/anseladamsstamps.

Background: Experience the wonder of the American West through the lens of one of America’s most iconic photographers, Ansel Adams (1902-1984). This pane of 16 stamps features some of Adams’ most famous images in his signature “straight photography” style, an approach defined by its precision and directness.The first row of stamps, left to right, features “Half Dome, Merced River, Winter, Yosemite National Park, California” (1938); “Oak Tree, Sunset City, Sierra Foothills, California” (1962); “Thundercloud, Ellery Lake, High Sierra, Sierra Nevada, California” (1934); and “Denali and Wonder Lake, Denali National Park, Alaska” (1947).The second row, left to right, features “The Golden Gate and Bridge from Baker Beach, San Francisco, California” (c.1953); “Road and Fog, Del Monte Forest, Pebble Beach, California” (1964); “Rock and Grass, Moraine Lake, Sequoia National Park, California” (1936); and “Leaves, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington” (c.1942).

The third row, left to right, features “Monument Valley, Arizona” (1958); “Tetons and Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming” (1942); “Jeffrey Pine, Sentinel Dome, Yosemite National Park, California” (1940); and “Mirror Lake, Mount Watkins, Spring, Yosemite National Park, California” (1935).The fourth row, left to right, features “Maroon Bells, near Aspen, Colorado” (1951); “Aspens, Dawn, Autumn, Dolores River Canyon, Colorado” (1937); “Road After Rain, Northern California” (1960); and “Dunes, Oceano, California” (1963).

As evidenced by the striking images in this collection, Adams devoted much of his career to the advancement of photography as a fine art. Derry Noyes, an art director with USPS, designed the stamps using existing photographs.

 

Updated February 23rd:
These stamps will be issued May 15 at Yosemite National Park in California.

Carnival Nights (U.S. 2024)

Announced by the USPS on November 3, 2023:

Carnival Nights celebrates one of America’s favorite pastimes. The stomach-twisting thrill rides, the indulgent snacks and sweets and the general spirit of lighthearted fun make the nation’s carnivals and fairs a place for visitors of any age to enjoy. Ten new stamps in a pane of 20 feature photographs that convey the energy and color of a summer carnival at night. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps with existing photographs.

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


Updated August 5th:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers:

  • 5855 Wave Swinger Ride, Photograph by Annette Shaff
  • 5856 Midway Gondola Wheel and a Ring of Fire, Photograph by Annette Shaff
  • 5857 Gondola Wheels, Photograph by Aleff Gripp
  • 5858 Gondola Wheel, Photograph by Pamela Hennessey
  • 5859 Gondola Wheel, Photograph by Phil Roeder
  • 5860 Gondola Wheel, Wave Swinger and Midway Food and Game Booths, Photograph by Timothy Hughes
  • 5861 Gondola Wheel, Photograph by Joseph Sohm
  • 5862 Round-Up Ride, Photograph by Bob Davidson
  • 5863 Carousel, Photograph by Sarah Beard Buckley
    a. Imperforate
    5864 Gondola Wheel and Wave Swinger, Photograph by Anthony Totah
    b. Block of 10, #5855-5864
    c. Imperforate block of 10, #5855a-5864aUpdated May 7th:
    [media advisory] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
    Celebrate the Magic of Carnival Nights StampsWhat: The U.S. Postal Service is celebrating one of America’s favorite pastimes with its Carnival Nights stamps. The first-day-of-issue ceremony is free and open to the public. News of these Forever stamps is being shared with the hashtag#CarnivalNightsStamps.

    Who: June Martindale, U.S. Postal Service, Alabama-Mississippi District manager

    Lynda Franc, North American Midway Entertainment, corporate marketing director

    Matt McDonnell, Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, executive director

    Greg Chiecko, Outdoor Amusement Business Association, president and CEO

    When: Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 6 p.m. Central.

    Where: South Mississippi Summer Fair
    Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center
    2350 Beach Blvd.
    Biloxi, MS 39531

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

    Background:
    Celebrate the thrill and nostalgia of carnival nights with this colorful pane of 20 stamps featuring 10 new images that convey the energy and color of a summer carnival after the sun goes down.

    A variety of rides is shown in vibrant neon hues against a black night sky. Fireworks burst from behind a panorama of lights, and a row of glittering amusement booths invite passersby to try their luck.

    The photographs depict:

    Row one (left to right)1. Wave Swinger Ride; photograph by Annette Shaff
    2. Midway Gondola Wheel and a Ring of Fire; photograph by Annette Shaff
    3. Gondola Wheel; photograph by Joe Sohm
    4. Round-Up Ride; photograph by Bob Davidson

    Row two (left to right)5. Gondola Wheels; photograph by Aleff Gripp
    6. Gondola Wheel; photograph by Pamela Hennessey
    7. Carousel; photograph by Sarah Beard Buckley
    8. Gondola Wheel and Wave Swinger; photograph by Anthony Totah

    Row three (left to right)9. Gondola Wheel; photograph by Phil Roeder
    10. Gondola Wheel, Wave Swinger and Midway Food and Game Booths; photograph by Timothy Hughes

    The next 10 stamps repeat in the same order as the first 10.

    Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using existing photographs.

    The Carnival Nights stamps will travel this summer
    The Postal Service will brand a North American Midway Entertainment Ferris wheel with a Carnival Nights stamps banner at the fair. The branded wheel and banner will travel to four fairs throughout the summer:

    • Marion County Fair, Indianapolis, June 28 to July 7
    • Northern Wisconsin State Fair, Chippewa Falls, WI, July 10 to July 14
    • Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis, Aug. 2 to Aug. 18
    • Du Quoin State Fair, Du Quoin, IL, Aug. 23 to Sept. 2

    Updated May 2nd:
    On June 6, 2024, in Biloxi, MS, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Carnival Nights stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in 10 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 485100). These stamps will go on sale nationwide June 6, 2024, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The

    Carnival Nights celebrates one of America’s favorite pastimes. Ten new stamps in a pane of 20 feature photographs that convey the energy and color of a summer carnival at night. A panoply of rides, an amusement booth, and fireworks are shown in vibrant neon hues against the black, night sky. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps with existing photographs.

    Pane of 20, 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 – Carnival Nights Stamps
    USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
    8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
    Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

    After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by October 6, 2024.

    Technical Specifications:

    Issue: Carnival Nights Stamps
    Item Number: 485100
    Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
    Format: Pane of 20 (10 designs)
    Series: N/A
    Issue Date & City: June 6, 2024, Biloxi, MS 39530
    Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
    Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
    Existing Photo: Sarah Beard Buckley
    Existing Photo: Bob Davidson
    Existing Photo: Aleff Gripp
    Existing Photo: Pamela Hennessey
    Existing Photo: Timothy Hughes
    Existing Photo: Phil Roeder
    Existing Photo: Joseph Sohm
    Existing Photo: Anthony Totah
    Existing Photos: Annette Shaff
    Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
    Manufacturing Process: Offset
    Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
    Press Type: Alprinta 74
    Stamps per Pane: 20
    Print Quantity: 18,000,000
    Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
    Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
    Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
    Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
    Image Area (w x h): 1.4200 x 0.8400 in. / 36.0680 x 21.3360 mm
    Overall Size (w x h): 1.5600 x 0.9800 in. / 39.6240 x 24.8920 mm
    Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.2400 x 6.4800 in. / 183.8960 x 164.5920 mm
    Press Sheet Size (w x h): 21.7200 x 20.4400 in. / 551.6880 x 519.1760 mm
    Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
    Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits in bottom two corners
    Marginal Markings:
    Front: Header: CARNIVAL NIGHTS • Plate number in bottom two corners
    Back: © 2023 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (485100) • Plate position diagram (9) • Promotional text

    Here are the first day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.32″ x 1.39″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.63″ x 1.20″

    Updated April 17th:
    These stamps will be available online for pre-ordering on May 6. USPS collectibles have been added to the U.S. 2024 Stamp Program listing for this issue (“USPS Order Numbers”).

    Updated February 23rd:
    These stamps will be issued June 6 in Biloxi, Mississippi, which this year is celebrating its 325th birthday.

John Wooden (U.S. 2024)

Announced by the USPS on November 3, 2023:

Legendary coach John Wooden (1910-2010) led the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins to a record-setting 10 Division I men’s basketball national championships. Often considered the greatest coach in the history of American sports, Wooden coached the Bruins to 88 consecutive wins and four perfect (30-0) seasons. The stamp features a portrait of Wooden. In the “UCLA blue” background, a player defends a shot. The numbers on the two players’ jerseys, 4 and 10, evoke the Bruins’ four perfect seasons and the 10 national championships during Wooden’s tenure. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using original artwork by Alexis Franklin.

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


Updated April 16th:
The USPS has added a philatelic product: 484525 Framed Stamp, $29.95.

Updated April 1st:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5833.

Updated February 22nd:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service to Release Stamp Honoring John Wooden

When: Saturday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. PST

What: The first-day-of-issue event for the new commemorative Forever stamp celebrating the legacy of legendary basketball coach John Wooden.

Who: The Honorable Derek Kan, member of the USPS Board of Governors, will serve as the dedicating official.

Where: Pauley Pavilion, East Plaza
University of California, Los Angeles
325 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095

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

Details: The dedication ceremony will feature special guests, a presentation on the significance of the stamp, and photo opportunities. The event is free and open to the public.

Customers can preorder the John Wooden stamp online at The Postal Storebeginning Jan. 24.

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

About the Stamp
Legendary coach John Wooden (1910-2010) led the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins to a record-setting 10 Division I men’s basketball national championships. Often considered the greatest coach in the history of American sports, Wooden coached the Bruins to 88 consecutive wins and four perfect (30-0) seasons.

The stamp features a portrait of Wooden. In the “UCLA blue” background, a player defends a shot. The numbers on the two players’ jerseys, 4 and 10, evoke the Bruins’ four perfect seasons and the 10 national championships during Wooden’s tenure.

Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using original artwork by Alexis Franklin.

The John Wooden stamp will be issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20, with 18 million scheduled for production.

Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products online at The Postal Store, by calling 844-737-7826 or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon.

Updated January 28th:
From the Postal Bulletin
On February 24, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the John Wooden stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 484500). This stamp will go on sale nationwide February 24, 2024, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This stamp issuance honors John Wooden (1910–2010), the legendary coach who led the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins to a record-setting 10 Division I men’s basketball national championships. The stamp features a portrait of Wooden looking intently out beyond the viewer. In the deep “UCLA blue” background, a player defends a shot. The numbers on the two players’ jerseys, 4 and 10, evoke the Bruins’ four perfect seasons and the 10 national championships during Wooden’s tenure. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp using original artwork by Alexis Franklin, based on a photograph by Norm Schindler from the early 1970s.

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 – John Wooden 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 June 24, 2024.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: John Wooden Stamp
Item Number: 484500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 24, 2024, Los Angeles, CA 90052
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Alexis Franklin, DeSoto, TX
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 18,000,000
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.4200 x 1.0850 in. / 36.0680 x
27.5590 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.5600 x 1.2250 in. / 39.6240 x
31.1150 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.2400 x 7.1200 in. / 183.8960 x 180.8480 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 21.7200 x 21.3600 in. / 551.6880 x 542.4400 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits in four corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners
Back: © 2023 USPS • USPS logo • Coach John Wooden™ licensed by John Wooden Legacy, LLC, c/o Luminary Group, LLC • Two barcodes (484500) • Plate position diagram (9) • Promotional text

Updated January 25th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.48″ x 1.46″The Pictorial Postmark (which I think is really clever) measures 2.52″ x 1.24″

Updated January 11th:
This stamp will be issued February 24th in Los Angeles.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service to Release Stamp Honoring John Wooden

When: Saturday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. PST

What: The first-day-of-issue event for the new commemorative Forever stamp celebrating the legacy of legendary basketball coach John Wooden.

Who: The Honorable Derek Kan, member of the USPS Board of Governors, will serve as the dedicating official.

Where: Pauley Pavilion, East Plaza
University of California, Los Angeles
325 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095

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

Details: The dedication ceremony will feature special guests, a presentation on the significance of the stamp, and photo opportunities. The event is free and open to the public.

Customers can preorder the John Wooden stamp online at The Postal Store beginning Jan. 24.

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

About the Stamp: Legendary coach John Wooden (1910-2010) led the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins to a record-setting 10 Division I men’s basketball national championships. Often considered the greatest coach in the history of American sports, Wooden coached the Bruins to 88 consecutive wins and four perfect (30-0) seasons.

The stamp features a portrait of Wooden. In the “UCLA blue” background, a player defends a shot. The numbers on the two players’ jerseys, 4 and 10, evoke the Bruins’ four perfect seasons and the 10 national championships during Wooden’s tenure.

Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using original artwork by Alexis Franklin.

The John Wooden stamp will be issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20, with 18 million scheduled for production.

Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products online at The Postal Store, by calling 844-737-7826 or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon.

Dungeons & Dragons (U.S. 2024)

Announced by the USPS on November 3, 2023:

This stamp release marks the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, described by its owners as the World’s Greatest Role-playing Game, that has become a cultural phenomenon. By inviting participants to imagine themselves as wizards, warriors and other adventurers in exciting and treacherous fantasy worlds, Dungeons & Dragons opened doors to whole new universes of creativity for generations of players. The pane of 20 stamps features 10 different designs that highlight characters, creatures and encounters familiar to players of the game. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps and pane with existing illustrations.

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


Updated September 6th:
The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue

  • 5909 Bronze Dragon with Necklace and Blue Plesiosaur
  • 5910 Five-headed Tiamat
  • 5911 Character in Maze
  • 5912 Character in Blue Robe Casting Spell
  • 5913 Archlich Acererak Raising Army of the Dead
  • 5914 Drizzt Do’Urden Holding Sword
  • 5915 Warrior Fighting Red Dragon
  • 5916 Character Holding Container of Toxic Green Dragon’s Blood Above Her Head
  • 5917 Death Knight Riding Nightmare Leading Army of the Undead
  • 5918 Purple Worm
  • b. Block of 10, #5909-5918
  • c. Imperforate block of 10, #5909a-5918a

Updated June 28th:
On August 1, 2024, in Indianapolis, IN, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Dungeons & Dragons stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in 10 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 485400). These stamps will go on sale nationwide August 1, 2024, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Dungeons & Dragons commemorative pane of 20 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.

These stamps mark the 50th anniversary of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®, the iconic fantasy roleplaying game that has become a cultural phenomenon. This pane of 20 stamps features 10 different designs that highlight characters, creatures, and encounters familiar to players of the game. The selvage depicts a party of adventurers fighting a dragon, a gold 20-sided die, and a detail of a typical Dungeons & Dragons map.

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 – Dungeons & Dragons Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by December 1, 2024.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Dungeons & Dragons Stamps
Item Number: 485400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (10 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: August 1, 2024, Indianapolis, IN 46206
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Art: Wizards of the Coast
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 45,000,000
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.0850 x 1.4200 in. / 27.5590 x
36.0680 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.2250 x 1.5600 in. / 31.1150 x
39.6240 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 9.9000 x 7.3800 in. / 251.4600 x
187.4520 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 20.0500 x 22.5150 in. / 509.2700 x 571.8810 mm
Plate Size: 120 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits in bottom two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast, LLC • © 2023 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (485400) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:
The Digital Color Postmark for this issue measures 2.60″ x 0.98 The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.71″ x 1.25″

Updated June 5th:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Unleash Your Imagination: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Stamps To Be Released at Gen Con Indy 2024

What: The U.S. Postal Service will commemorate the 50th anniversary of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, referred to as The World’s Greatest Role-Playing Game and a cultural phenomenon, at the Gen Con Indy 2024 gaming convention.

The Postal Service will unveil the stamps and have activities and retail sales in two locations.

  • Lucas Oil Stadium, as a part of the Gen Con Indy convention, near the Wizards of the Coast. Retail sales and cancelations of the stamps will be available for the four days of the convention on the west concourse. Entry into Gen Con requires the purchase of a pass, which can be found at the Gen Con website.
  • Indianapolis Main Post Office located at 125 W. South St., Indianapolis 46206, across the street from Lucas Oil Stadium. The Post Office will hold retail sales and cancelations on Aug. 1 for collectors and others who do not wish to purchase passes to Gen Con Indy.

Greg Breeding, the art director for the stamps, will be available for autographs at 10 a.m. EDT Thursday, following the unveiling of the stamps at Lucas Oil Stadium.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #DandDStamps.

When: Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at 10 a.m. EDT

Background: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, brought a bold new type of game to tabletops all over the world, one in which players collaborate by telling an open-ended story guided by books, dice and their own imaginations. By inviting participants to imagine themselves as wizards, warriors and other adventurers in exciting and treacherous fantasy worlds, the game opened doors to whole new universes of creativity for generations of players.

From its Midwestern roots as a niche pastime, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS has grown into a global phenomenon, with an estimated 64 million fans worldwide since its debut in 1974.

Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, served as both art director and designer for the stamps.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS are being issued as Forever stamps and will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.

Updated May 20th:
These stamps will be issued August 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana. As predicted here on December 18, 2023, by VSC member Misha Eletsky, this is the first day of GenCon.

Updated December 3, 2023:
Additional details about the stamps from Jim McKean of the USPS, via David Dresdner of Colorano and Foster Miller of Everywhere. Click on the thumbnails for larger versions:

A bronze dragon wearing a necklace glances down at a blue plesiosaur in an illustration that appeared in the 2023 book The Practically Complete Guide to Dragons.

The five-headed Tiamat, queen of evil dragons, appears in an illustration that appeared in the 2021 book Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons. Tiamat has been featured in D&D materials since the 1970s and was first encountered by name in the 1977 Monster Manual.

A lone figure lost in a maze, perhaps the victim of a ten-minute “maze” spell, appears in an illustration that appeared in the 2020 book Wizards and Spells: A Young Adventurer’s Guide.

A blue-robed figure casts a “magic missile” spell in artwork that appeared in the 2014 edition of the Player’s Handbook.

 

 

The archlich Acererak raises an army of the dead in an illustration that appeared on the cover of the 2014 edition of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Acererak has appeared in D&D materials since 1978, when he debuted in the classic adventure Tomb of Horrors.

Drizzt Do’Urden, the heroic drow ranger featured in dozens of novels and numerous D&D gaming materials since 1988, stands against a wintry backdrop. Drizzt is known for breaking from an evil cult in the Underdark in favor of heroism and friendship on the surface.

 

A warrior with his back to the viewer fights a massive red dragon in a detail from an illustration that appeared on the box cover of the popular 1983 D&D Basic Set, often known simply as the “red box.” This illustration has since become one of the most recognizable pieces of art in the history of the game.

A character holds a pan of toxic green dragon’s blood over her head, preparing to bathe in it in the hope of gaining magical powers, in an illustration that appeared in the 2021 book Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons.

 

A death knight rides a nightmare, backed by an army of the undead and a sinister, flame-shrouded castle, in an illustration that appeared in the 2020 book Beasts and Behemoths: A Young Adventurer’s Guide.

A purple worm, a fearsome creature that burrows through the earth and leaves massive tunnels in its wake, rises from the ground and coils, its teeth on display, in an illustration that appeared in the 2014 edition of the Monster Manual.

On the left side of the pane, the selvage features a detail of an illustration showing a party of adventurers encountering a massive green dragon amid a gold-strewn ruin. The illustration previously appeared on the box cover of the D&D Starter Set.

Below the illustration is a photograph of a gold 20-sided die above the Dungeons & Dragons logo with its distinctive ampersand formed from a fire-breathing dragon. Below the logo is a detail of a hand-drawn map of a typical “dungeon,” a network of caverns where D&D players might encounter monsters, traps, and treasure.

Southeastern U.S. Clubs Commit to Boston 2026

[press release]
Southeast Federation of Stamp Clubs Commits to Boston 2026

The largest regional federation of stamp clubs in the United States has made an initial $1,000 donation to Boston 2026 World Expo and pledged to make three more equal installments yearly for a total of $4,000 towards the once-a-decade philatelic exhibition.

Founded originally as the Georgia Federation of Stamp Clubs in 1991 with six clubs, the twenty-four club member federation currently represents over five hundred collectors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, the District of Columbia and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It is an active Chapter of the American Philatelic Society.

Its sponsorship in the early days of the Peach State Stamp Show in Atlanta has evolved into the expanded Southeastern Stamp Expo, an APS World Series of Philately exhibition hosted annually in January in nearby Peachtree Corners, Georgia.

Commenting on the unanimous Board of Directors vote to financially support Boston 2026, Southeast Federation President Charles O’Brien III said, “The Southeast Federation of Stamp Clubs, host of the annual Southeastern Stamp Expo, is very proud to announce our donation to Boston ’26. Our member clubs strongly support this initiative to promote worldwide philately.”

On hearing the news Boston 2026 President Yamil Kouri wrote, “This will go a long way to ensure the success of our next US International Stamp Exhibition.”

Information about the Southeast Federation of Stamp Clubs and the Southeastern Stamp Expo taking place January 26-28, 2024 is on their website at sefsc.org.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

U.S. Scott Catalogue Update (November 2023)

5812 (66¢) Piñatas – Donkey piñata facing left
5813 (66¢) Piñatas – Star piñata with purple background
5814 (66¢) Piñatas – Star piñata with green background
5815 (66¢) Piñatas – Donkey piñata facing right
a. Block of 4, #5812-5815
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 5 each #5612-5615

5816 (66¢) Christmas – Snowman in snow globe
5817 (66¢) Christmas – Santa Claus in snow globe
5818 (66¢) Christmas – Reindeer in snow globe
5819 (66¢) Christmas – Christmas tree in snow globe
a. Block of 4, #5816-5819
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 5 each #5616-5619

5820 (66¢) OSIRIS-REx Probe
a. Imperforate

5821 (66¢) Ruth Bader Ginsburg
a. Imperforate

5822 (66¢) Winter Woodland Animals – Deer
5823 (66¢) Winter Woodland Animals – Rabbit
5824 (66¢) Winter Woodland Animals – Owl
5825 (66¢) Winter Woodland Animals – Fox
a. Block of 4, #5822-5825
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 5 each #5822-5825

Chicago Philatelic Society Celebrates 137th Anniversary At Show

[press release]
CHICAGOPEX 2023 Stamp Show Marks 137 Years of Chicago Philatelic Society

CHICAGO, Nov. 4, 2023 – Chicago Philatelic Society (CPS) will present its annual philatelic exhibition, CHICAGOPEX, Nov. 17, 18 and 19, 2023, at the Westin Chicago Northwest, 400 Park Blvd., Itasca, Ill. 60413.

2023 is the 137th anniversary of the Chicago Philatelic Society, which was founded in 1886 and is chapter no. 1 of the American Philatelic Society. Scott English, APS executive director, will attend the show on Friday and host a town hall where attendees can learn about the latest national society news and ask questions.

The show also features the AmeriStamp Expo in partnership with the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors. This event includes the Single Frame Champion of Champions competition, which highlights the best single-frame exhibits from World Series of Philately shows held during the prior year. AmeriStamp Expo also features the annual AAPE single-frame team competition.

In addition, two specialty societies will convene at CHICAGOPEX: the Collectors Club [of New York] and the American Revenue Association. The American First Day Cover Society is holding a regional meeting.

Notable events include book signings daily during lunchtime. On Saturday, there will be a hands-on workshop for Boy Scouts to earn a badge for stamp collecting. Advanced registration is required for the workshop.

Philatelic exhibit frames are full! CPS expects nearly 300 frames of competitive philatelic material to be on display. Viewing philatelic exhibits gives attendees a chance to see rare and notable material.

2023 marks the 57th anniversary of the show’s philatelic literature competition, with books and other materials on display. This is one of two such annual competitions for print material in the U.S. The competition also accepts digital entries.

The show bourse is expected to feature at least 62 dealers from the U.S. and Europe, offering a vast array of material to interest everyone from the beginning collector to the advanced collector and exhibitor. The U.S. Postal Service and the U.N. Postal Administration will also attend.

The show includes a youth / beginners’ booth and speakers for the Chicago Philatelic Society, the Collectors Club of Chicago, Germany Philatelic Society Chapter #5, the Illinois Postal History Society, North Shore Philatelic Society and the convening societies. Most meetings and talks are free and open to the public.

Saturday night will feature a catered awards banquet. Tickets must be purchased in advance; dress is business casual. Please see the CHICAGOPEX website for details.

Admission and parking are free. Show hours are: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees are asked to contact the hotel (phone: 630-773-4000) to make reservations and to mention Chicago Philatelic Society for the special room rate.

Christmas (UK 2023)

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Reveals Christmas Stamps 2023

  • Royal Mail celebrates Christmas 2023 with a series of five Special Stamps, inspired by traditional Christmas carols
  • These are the first Christmas stamps to feature the silhouette of His Majesty King Charles III
  • The stamps are on sale now at www.royalmail.com/christmas2023, by phone on 03457 641 641 and 7,000 Post Offices across the UK

Royal Mail has revealed images of its Christmas 2023 stamps – a set of five, vibrant images inspired by the themes of Christmas carols and featuring a familiar lyric from each.

The five designs feature the carols: O Holy Night; O Little Town of Bethlehem; Silent Night; Away in a Manger; and We Three Kings.

The stamp designs were created exclusively for Royal Mail by illustrator Tom Duxbury, who specialises in the medium of woodblock printing to depict both vintage and modern scenes. Duxbury has worked on many book covers, including Philip Pullman’s Serpentine and The Collectors.

The set of stamps is the first Christmas issue to feature the silhouette of His Majesty King Charles III.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “For many, the launch of the annual Christmas stamps is the signal to begin writing those Christmas cards. The charming style of these designs, which were inspired by the carols that are so familiar to us all, set the perfect tone for the festive season.”

Illustrator, Tom Duxbury, said: “’It’s been a privilege to illustrate the first set of Christmas stamps to bear the silhouette of His Majesty King Charles III. The theme of Nativity became a chance to create rich, luminous nightscapes. They echo my own experiences of being out in nature at night – especially the moors where I live. This time and place holds a special kind of feeling; that of stillness, softness, and magic.’

The barcodes on this year’s Christmas stamps will again allow customers to watch a seasonal themed video created exclusively for Royal Mail by the award winning Aardman studio. The video features Shaun the Sheep and his friends sending some festive cheer to the Farmer’s dog.

To choose and view the video, both the sender and recipient should download the Royal Mail App. The sender can then select the Christmas video for the recipient to watch just by scanning the stamp barcode — giving that someone special something extra to smile about when they receive their post this Christmas.

The stamps are on sale now and are available at www.royalmail.com/christmas2023, by phone on 03457 641 641 and in 7,000 Post Offices across the UK.

The first Christmas Special Stamps
The first Christmas stamps, issued on 1 December 1966, were the result of a children’s art competition announced by the Postmaster General, Tony Benn, in May of that year. The competition launched on the BBC’s popular children’s TV programme, Blue Peter.

Since then, children’s designs been used on Christmas stamps on a further three occasions – 1981, 2013 and 2017.


Additional philatelic products include:

Minisheet of 5 stamps, £7.70

FDC £9.90Minisheet FDC £9.90The first-day postmarkPostcards £2.70Collectors’ Sheet £26.00

December Stamps (Netherlands 2023)

[from PostNL materials] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]

Date of issue: 13 November 2023
Appearance: sheet of 20 December stamps in 10 different designs, with a special December rate for destinations in the Netherlands
Item number: 431461
Illustrations and design: Linde Faas, Tromsø (Norway)

The Netherlands doesn’t issue “Christmas” or “Holiday” stamps, but rather “December” stamps. The illustrations for the 2023 December stamps were created by illustrator Linde Faas from Tromsø, Norway.

Each year, PostNL issues new December stamps, which can be used by consumers and companies to send each other Christmas and New Year cards at a reduced rate. The special December rate of €0.96 per stamp is valid from 13 November 2023 until 6 January 2024. This year, a sheet of 20 December stamps costs € 19.20. (€0.96 is approximately US$1.02.)

When purchasing two sheets of December stamps at the store, each customer will receive a free gift: a Christmas ornament especially designed for PostNL by Vondels. This year’s ornament is in the shape of a dog with a letter in its mouth, derived from one of the illustrations on the December stamps.

The stories on this year’s December stamps are set in the far north. Dutch illustrator Linde Faas lives and works in Norway and draws a world full of magic and wonder. The special colours of the northern lights and the grandeur of the landscape create winter scenes full of atmosphere. People and animals enjoying new memories together and the happiness found in little things. Everywhere you discover surprising details, such as the vapour above the tea glass, next to the owl on the branch, around the bear in the forest and by the envelope with December mail.

The subjects are

  • a festively set table with magical scenes in a steaming Christmas drink,
  • people and animals watching falling stars together,
  • a house under the northern lights with footsteps in the snow,
  • a cat and a dog with a letter behind the window,
  • a tree branch with an owl with birds and presents,
  • a rabbit with an envelope with magical contents,
  • people and animals decorating a Christmas tree together,
  • a hedgehog in the snowstorm with a tall pile of presents,
  • a bear surrounded by Christmas trees with birds as Christmas decorations, and,
  • an animal parade with lights.

All typography on the December stamps and on the sheet edge was handwritten by Faas. The back of the December stamp sheet [right] features a description of what Linde wants to achieve with her illustrations. It also explains how to use the December stamps. Near the text area on the back is an illustration of a snowy winter forest. The headline “Boom versieren, kaarten versturen” translates as “decorate the tree, send cards.”

Faas didn’t have to think long when PostNL approached her about designing this year’s stamps. “Of course I wanted to!” she said. She follows on Instagram two designers responsible for prior years’ December stamps, Geertje Aalders and Miriam Bos. “I love their work. Back then, I was secretly thinking how great it would be if I could get to do this myself.

“During the first conversation with PostNL, all sorts of images immediately came to mind, typically northern scenes in typically northern light. I then wrote down a list of possible topics. Little stories, with the occasional sketch added in pencil.”

Adds Faas, “the beginning is always the hardest” but once the choices of subjects are made, “I get totally absorbed in making the image. So it really feels like I’m in the middle of the world of the illustration I’m currently working on.”

She has lived in Norway since 2017.

“I think the month of December is a beautiful time, full of magic and wonder,” she says. “There is always snow here then. Also unusual is the fact that the sun doesn’t rise for months. Because of this the colours are very different, very special. Together with the winter landscape, everything I dreamed of as a child comes together. I was already completely happy when even a thin layer of snow fell in the Netherlands. Then I fantasized that I could disappear into a vast forest. In Norway, my dream came true, including a small cottage in the middle of the woods.”

Elements of her life are reflected in these stamp designs. “Our cottage has just such a window through which the cat and the dog are looking out on one of the December stamps [left]. I like to do that myself too, with my nose against the window, hoping for moose to pass by. The bear among the trees also looks like me. I love walking through the forest by myself when there is a thick blanket of snow and the branches of the trees are bending down towards the ground.

“And the shooting stars? As a child, I could spend hours peering at the night sky in the hope of seeing a shooting star.”

Each December stamp features a little story, a snapshot in a larger winter narrative. “The storytelling has to excite,” says Faas. “This is how I hope to make people curious, making them pay extra attention to the stamps. The rabbit, for example, opens an envelope that emits the colourful magic [right]. Who could the envelope be from and what might it contain? That’s always a surprise.”

The validity period for these stamps is indefinite, but the December stamps can only be used on their own from 13 November 2023 through 6 January 2024. One stamp will cover postage for mail within the Netherlands during this period. Two December stamps are enough for mail weighing up to 50g (1.76 ounces) destined for delivery to addresses outside the Netherlands.

Technical Details:
Stamp size: 26.5 x 29 mm
Sheet size: 144 x 151 mm
Paper: normal with red phosphor print
Glue: self-adhesive
Printing technique: offset
Printing colours: cyan, magenta, yellow and black
Print run: 3,250,000 sheets
Appearance: sheet of 20 stamps with 10 different designs
Illustrations and design: Linde Faas, Tromsø (Norway)
Printing company: Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé B.V., Haarlem
Item number: 431461
Note: PostNL does not sell directly to collectors in North America. Its website refers to a company called Nordfirm, which says it sells Dutch new issues at face value. The Virtual Stamp Club has no connection to this company.