[includes material from the USPS press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions] New Member Appointed to Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced the appointment of business executive and stamp collector Graham Beck to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee(CSAC). CSAC members are appointed by the Postmaster General to provide expertise in business, history, science, technology, art, education, sports and other areas of public interest. Working together, they make recommendations for future stamp subjects.
An avid philatelist, Beck began collecting stamps at 8 years old as a child in South Africa as a fun way to learn about the world. His philatelic interests are varied but mostly center around topical and thematic collections. Since 2016, he has promoted philately through a YouTube channel, Exploring Stamps [from whose first episode the photo here is taken], that has gained more than 32,000 subscribers and nearly 4 million views during the past seven years. He is a member of a growing online philatelic community, producing educational and entertaining content for all levels of collectors.
Beck is a member of the American Philatelic Society (APS) and the American Topical Association. He was honored with an APS Kehr Award in 2022 for making philately attractive to newcomers. Also that year, he was featured as one of the 76 most influential philatelists by Linn’s Stamp News, in a special issue that recognized individuals who have had a positive influence on stamp collecting. He was also a top recruiter for the APS in 2020, although he says he doesn’t actively try to get people to join the organization.
“I would think that the reason people might be listing me as a referral is probably because I show how useful the APS is,” he told the APS in an interview then. “Several of my videos indirectly demonstrate the value of an APS membership.”
He cites World Stamp Expo-New York 2016 with helping bring him back to philately after a lapse for college and his move to the United States. He then “decided to start my YouTube channel that would help me to learn more about the hobby and potentially meet other collectors.”
Beck is an associate director with Bristol Myers Squibb and has worked for many years in hotel management and the pharmaceutical industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in geography and economics and a master’s in business administration from Rutgers Business School.
Beck lives in Central New Jersey with his wife, Laura, and West Highland terrier, Jonty.
Submitting Stamp Suggestions
Due to the time required for research and approval in the stamp selection process, ideas for stamp subjects should be received at least three years prior to the proposed issuance. Each submission should include pertinent historical information and important dates associated with the subject. Proposals must be in writing and submitted by U.S. Mail. No in-person appeals, phone calls or emails are accepted. Mail your suggestion (one topic per letter) to the address below:
Stamp Development
Attn: Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260-3501
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions] Boston 2026 Contest Winners
Three entrants have been named as winners of the “Boston Connection” contest organized by the Boston 2026 World Expo.
Announced in November, collectors were invited to submit lists of stamps and souvenir sheets related in some way with Boston, site of the next U.S. international philatelic exhibition.
Pedro D. Sarmiento of Fort Washington, Maryland, provided the greatest number of connections with 88. He is a fan of John F. Kennedy, and many of his submissions of US and overseas stamps dealt with aspects of the former president, born and raised in nearby Brookline and educated at Harvard University. Pedro is “90 years young,” an Air Force veteran and member of the APS and ATA, among other philatelic organizations.
The next two winners were selected at random.
Keith Christian of York, Pennsylvania, is also an APS member and just joined the ATA at the Great American Stamp Show in Cleveland this past August. His list included some interesting sports trivia. Willie O’Ree, featured on a 2023 Canadian stamp, was the first black hockey player in the NHL, called up from the minor leagues by the Boston Bruins in 1958. He identified five additional former Bruins players and several Boston Red Sox baseball stars depicted on stamps.
Frank Silviera of Wilmington, Massachusetts, will have a short commute to the Boston 2026 show. His U.S. and American Flag collecting interests were reignited during the Covid pandemic, now as a member of the APS and Waltham Stamp Club based in Weston, MA at the Spellman Museum. Among items he noted was that the first lighthouse built in North America was at Boston Harbor in 1716, and Dr. Martin Luther King received his PhD at Boston University in 1955.
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.
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions] U.S. Postal Service Reveals Holiday Joy Stamps for 2024
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service today announced four new stamp designs for the 2024 holiday season. Holiday Joy, along with other stamps announced last year, make up only a partial list, with more to be revealed in the weeks and months ahead. All stamp designs are preliminary and subject to change.
Holiday Joy: Four new art-inspired holiday stamp designs feature two colorful Christmas ornaments, a vibrant poinsettia surrounded by greenery, and a whimsical blue flower centered against green leaves and delicate scrollwork. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps and booklet of 20, using original digital illustrations by Michelle Muñoz.
Here are larger versions of the four designs:
Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent at the top.
Updated November 5th:
The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are
5941 Poinsettia
5942 Red Pointed Ornament and Blue Flowers
5943 Green Round Ornament and Pink Flowers
5944 Blue Flower and Green Leaves
a. Block of 4, #5941-5944
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 5 each #5941-5944
Updated August 20th: [press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions] U.S. Postal Service to Unveil New Holiday Stamps at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum
When: Saturday, Sept. 14, at 10:30 a.m. EDT
What: The U.S. Postal Service will host a special stamp dedication ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum to unveil the highly anticipated 2024 Christmas Madonna and Child stamp and Holiday Joy stamps.
These stamps capture the spirit of the season, celebrating both the traditional and contemporary aspects of holiday festivities.
The event will include remarks from prominent postal officials and be followed by the National Postal Museum’s Holiday Stamps Family Festival, with guest artist Katie Kirk.
Who: Sheila Holman, USPS vice president of marketing, and Mark Guilfoil, USPS vice president of supply management, will serve as the dedicating officials.
Where: National Postal Museum
2 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20002
Details: The Madonna and Child stamp has been a beloved part of the Postal Service’s holiday stamp offerings for decades, featuring iconic images of the Virgin Mary and Child from various artistic traditions. This year’s design continues that tradition, offering a beautiful representation of this timeless theme.
The Holiday Joy stamps, meanwhile, offer a vibrant and festive option for holiday greetings, with designs that evoke the joy and warmth of the holiday season.
The dedication ceremony will feature a first-day-of-issue event, where attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the new stamps and get them postmarked with a special first-day-of-issue cancellation.
The event is free and open to the public.
• Visuals: The unveiling of the new stamps
• Remarks from speakers
• A live holiday-themed family festival
• Attendees purchasing and cancelling their stamps
• Autographs by special guests and VIPs
RSVP: Attendees are encouraged to register at usps.com/holidaystampsceremony.
To ensure seating and access to interviews with event speakers and special guests, members of the media are encouraged to RSVP on the USPS media sign-in website.
About the Stamps
Christmas Madonna and Child features the serene Madonna and Child from the workshop of the 17th-century Italian artist Giovanni Battista Salvi, called “Sassoferrato” (1609-1685). William Gicker was the art director and Greg Breeding designed the stamp, which will be sold in booklets of 20.
Holiday Joy, four stamps inspired by Mexican folk art, were designed by Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, using original digital illustrations by Michelle Muñoz.
Christmas Madonna and Child and Holiday Joy are being issued as Forever stamps, which are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate.
Updated August 9th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.71″ x 1.25″ There is no pictorial postmark for this issue, just the FDOI “Killer Bar” hand cancel.
From the Postal Bulletin:
On September 14, 2024, in Washington, DC, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Holiday Joy 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 685000). These stamps will go on sale nationwide September 14, 2024, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.
Four new folk art-inspired holiday stamps feature two colorful Christmas ornaments, a vibrant poinsettia surrounded by greenery, and a whimsical blue flower centered against green leaves and delicate scrollwork. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps using original digital illustrations by Michelle Muñoz.
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 – Holiday Joy 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 14, 2025.
[see below for the stamp design and more details or click here to jump there. More media are here.]
Per “Danforth Guy:”
The stamp commemorating Mary Ann Shadd (Cary), the latest in the Black History series, is set to be issued on Monday, January 29, in Chatham, Ontario. It will come in a booklet of six self-adhesive ‘P’ stamps priced at the domestic rate of 92¢.
A lifesize statue of the publisher/lawyer/abolitionist/educator stands at the University of Windsor, in southwestern Ontario.
This has not yet been confirmed by Canada Post. We will add more information as it becomes available.
Updated January 17th:
“Danforth” nailed it:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions] Canada Post to honour educator, lawyer and abolitionist Mary Ann Shadd with a new stamp
CHATHAM, ON, Jan. 17, 2024 /CNW/ – Canada Post invites you to the unveiling of a special stamp in honour of educator, lawyer and abolitionist Mary Ann Shadd on Tuesday, January 23 at 10 am EST in Chatham, Ont.
Founder of The Provincial Freeman, Mary Ann Shadd was the first Black woman in North America to edit and publish a newspaper. Through the newspaper, she played an important role in encouraging Black immigration to Canada and promoted equality through integration into white society. She was also an advocate for women’s rights.
The upcoming stamp will be officially issued on Monday, January 29 after it is unveiled on Tuesday, January 23, ahead of Black History Month in February.
WHAT: Mary Ann Shadd stamp unveiling event-
WHO: Adrienne Shadd, descendant of Mary Ann Shadd and historian-
– Brenda Edmonds Travis, descendant of Mary Ann Shadd and educator-
– Brandy Ryan, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Canada Post-
WHEN: Tuesday, January 23 at 10 am EST-
WHERE: The Kent, 124 William Street South, Chatham, Ont.-
[en Francais pour les médias d’information] Un nouveau timbre de Postes Canada rend hommage à Mary Ann Shadd, éducatrice, avocate et abolitionniste
CHATHAM, ON, le 17 janv. 2024 /CNW/ – Postes Canada vous invite au dévoilement d’un timbre spécial en l’honneur de Mary Ann Shadd, éducatrice, avocate et abolitionniste, le mardi 23 janvier, à 10 h (HNE), à Chatham, en Ontario.
Fondatrice du journal Provincial Freeman, Mary Ann Shadd est la première femme noire à éditer et à publier un journal en Amérique du Nord. Par l’intermédiaire de cette publication, elle joue un rôle important en encourageant l’immigration des Noirs au Canada et favorise l’égalité grâce à l’intégration dans la société blanche. Elle défend également les droits des femmes.
Le timbre sera dévoilé le mardi 23 janvier et officiellement émis le lundi 29 janvier, avant le Mois de l’histoire des Noirs en février.
QUOI : Dévoilement du timbre consacré à Mary Ann Shadd-
QUI : Adrienne Shadd, descendante de Mary Ann Shadd et historienne-
– Brenda Edmonds Travis, descendante de Mary Ann Shadd et éducatrice-
– Brandy Ryan, directrice, Équité, diversité et inclusion, Postes Canada-
QUAND : Le mardi 23 janvier à 10 h (HNE)-
— OÙ : The Kent, 124 William Street South, Chatham (Ontario)-
Updated January 23rd:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions] New Black History Month stamp honours trailblazer Mary Ann Shadd An abolitionist, educator, writer and lawyer, Shadd was also the first Black woman in North America to publish and edit a newspaper
CHATHAM, ONT. – Today [January 23, 2024], at an event in Chatham, Ont., Canada Post unveiled a new Black History Month stamp honouring Mary Ann Shadd. An abolitionist, educator, newspaper publisher and lawyer, Shadd broke boundaries throughout her life as she fought for the rights of Black people and women.
Born in 1823 in Wilmington, Delaware, Shadd established herself early on as a dedicated teacher, writer and activist. In 1851, she was invited to teach in Windsor, Ontario, where she helped open a racially integrated school that supported families fleeing enslavement in the United States.
Two years later, she launched The Provincial Freeman and became the first Black woman in North America – and the first woman in Canada – to publish and edit a newspaper. Published from Windsor, then from Toronto and Chatham, it was an anti-slavery newspaper that advocated for the advancement and equality of Black people. It also promoted Canada as a place for Black people to settle, raise families and contribute as free citizens.
To avoid alienating readers accustomed to male editors, Shadd initially kept her name off the masthead. However, she grew tired of the assumption that she was a man and in 1854 revealed her identity.
In 1863, she moved back to the United States where she continued to build her reputation as a trailblazer. The second Black American woman to obtain a law degree, Shadd became a lawyer and a prominent suffragist.
Shadd’s lifelong fight for equal rights continued a family legacy. Her father, Abraham Doras Shadd, was active in the Underground Railroad and was featured on Canada Post’s first Black History Month stamp issue in 2009 (left, Sc. 2315, issued with another Black History stamp). It is believed that this is the first time in Canadian postal history (outside of the Royal Family) that a father and daughter have each appeared on a stamp.
About the stamp The stamp was designed by Underline Studio and illustrated by Natasha Cunningham. The central image is the only known photograph of Shadd. The lower image is a reproduction of The Provincial Freeman’s masthead, recreated to include both of Canada’s official languages. The metallic-inked black-eyed Susans represent resilience, encouragement, justice and motivation. Printed by Colour Innovations, the issue includes a booklet of six PermanentTM domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover. The cancel site is Chatham, Ont., where Mary Ann Shadd spent most of her years while residing in Canada.
Stamps and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada.
[en Francais pour les médias d’information] Le nouveau timbre du Mois de l’histoire des Noirs rend hommage à la pionnière Mary Ann Shadd Abolitionniste, éducatrice, écrivaine et avocate, Mary Ann Shadd est la première éditrice noire d’un journal en Amérique du Nord.
CHATHAM, ONT. – Aujourd’hui [le 23 Janvier 2024], lors d’un événement à Chatham, en Ontario, Postes Canada a dévoilé le nouveau timbre du Mois de l’histoire des Noirs rendant hommage à Mary Ann Shadd. Abolitionniste, éducatrice, éditrice de journal et avocate, elle fait tomber des barrières tout au long de sa vie en défendant les droits des Noirs et des femmes.
Née en 1823 à Wilmington, au Delaware, elle se démarque très tôt en tant qu’enseignante dévouée, écrivaine et militante. En 1851, elle est invitée à enseigner à Windsor, en Ontario, où elle aide à ouvrir une école intégrée sur le plan racial qui soutient des familles fuyant l’esclavage aux États Unis.
Deux ans plus tard, elle lance le journal Provincial Freeman et devient la première femme noire en Amérique du Nord – et la première femme au Canada – à éditer un journal. D’abord publié à Windsor, puis à Toronto et à Chatham, ce journal anti-esclavagiste prône l’avancement et l’égalité des Noirs. Il fait également la promotion du Canada comme endroit où les Noirs peuvent s’établir, élever leur famille et contribuer à la société en tant que personnes libres.
Pour ne pas aliéner le lectorat habitué à des rédacteurs, Mary Ann Shadd omet au départ son nom du bloc-générique. Toutefois, lassée d’être prise pour un homme, elle révèle son identité en 1854.
En 1863, elle retourne aux États-Unis où elle consolide sa réputation de pionnière. Deuxième femme noire diplômée en droit aux États-Unis, Mary Ann Shadd devient avocate et une importante suffragette.
La lutte pour l’égalité des droits qu’elle mène pendant toute sa vie est la continuation d’un héritage familial. Son père, Abraham Doras Shadd, qui joue un rôle actif dans le chemin de fer clandestin, a été l’un des sujets de la première émission de timbres du Mois de l’histoire des Noirs de Postes Canada en 2009. C’est la première fois dans l’histoire postale du pays (à l’exception de la famille royale) qu’un père et sa fille figurent chacun sur un timbre.
À propos du timbre Le timbre a été conçu par Underline Studio et illustré par Natasha Cunningham. L’image centrale est la seule photo connue de Mary Ann Shadd. L’image du bas est une reproduction du bloc-générique du journal Provincial Freeman, recréé pour inclure nos deux langues officielles. Les fleurs de la rudbeckie hérissée à l’encre métallique représentent la résilience, l’encouragement, la justice et la motivation. Imprimée par Colour Innovations, l’émission comprend un carnet de six timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur et un pli Premier Jour officiel. Le lieu d’oblitération est Chatham (Ont.), où Mary Ann Shadd a passé la plupart de ses années au Canada.
Les timbres et les articles de collection sont en vente sur postescanada.ca et dans les comptoirs postaux partout au pays.
Photos and a Video:Descendants of Mary Ann Shadd and Canada Post Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Brandy Ryan unveiling the stamp | Dévoilement du timbre par les descendantes de Mary Ann Shadd et Brandy Ryan, directrice, Équité, diversité et inclusion de Postes Canada. Photo by Carlos Osorio, courtesy Canada Post. Adrienne Shadd, Marishana Mabusela, Brenda Edmonds Travis and Canada Post Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Brandy Ryan | Adrienne Shadd, Marishana Mabusela, Brenda Shadd et Brandy Ryan, directrice, Équité, diversité et inclusion de Postes Canada.Photo by Carlos Osorio, courtesy Canada Post.Descendants of Mary Ann Shadd | Descendantes de Mary Ann Shadd. Photo by Carlos Osorio, courtesy Canada Post.
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions] Boston 2026 Appoints Grinfelds
Dzintars Grinfelds of San Francisco, California, has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner General for Boston 2026 World Expo. Yamil Kouri, Boston 2026 President and Commissioner General, revealed the selection on December 30.
Dzintars is a long-time philatelist, becoming the first three-time AAPE Youth Champion of Champions in the early 2000’s, later going on to win top awards in adult national and international competitions with exhibits on his specialties of Latvia, Central Lithuania, and various thematic topics. Most recently he was a national commissioner for the USA at Thailand 2023.
While away from philately for a decade he managed social and digital marketing for some of the largest brands in sports including the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, and NBA 2K. Now owner and real estate business manager of Grinfelds Investments, LP, he also competes on the Professional Bowlers Association regional circuit.
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.
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions] McClure FDC Collection Donated to AFDCS
The extensive first day cover collection of the late Peter McClure — more than 35 boxes — has been donated to the American First Day Cover Society, and parts of it will begin appearing in AFDCS Fundraising Auctions in the near future.
“Pete” died in May 2023 at the age of 75 after a long illness. He designed many cachets, both for himself and for the AFDCS, and often serviced new issues on the first-day at his local Iowa Falls, Iowa, post office. He also collected Iowa-related issues and those for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair stamp (Sc. 1196), Roy Rogers (Sc. 4446), Janis Joplin (Sc. 4916) and the cachets produced by the AFDCS’ Graebner Chapter in Washington, DC, of which he was a member. He talked about some of these topics in Zoom presentations he made for the AFDCS, which can be seen on the AFDCS YouTube Channel.
The AFDCS runs two of these mail/online bidding auctions a year and a “silent” auction at
Pete McClure in 2016
its annual convention, all containing material donated by its members. The sales often contain one-of-a-kind covers.
All proceeds of these sales go to the AFDCS General Fund, and help support the many AFDCS activities, including video and print publishing, advocacy and encouragement of FDC collecting and exhibiting, and cosponsorship of the big annual national stamp collecting show, Great American Stamp Show, which is next scheduled in 2024 in Hartford, Conn., August 15-18. The AFDCS also publishes its award-winning journal First Days six times a year. The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit 501c3 educational organization.
For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, email afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 27, Greer, SC 29652-0027.
(CSAC). CSAC members are appointed by the Postmaster General to provide expertise in business, history, science, technology, art, education, sports and other areas of public interest. Working together, they make recommendations for future stamp subjects.
