From the USPS press release November 15, 2024:
Offering whimsical, eye-catching designs for letters and cards, these 10 stamps show baby wild animals from across the United States, with visual elements suggesting the habitat or behavior of each one. Tracy Walker designed and created the artwork by digitally layering colored shapes on solid backgrounds. Greg Breeding provided art direction.
The latest information on this issue will appear below the line, with the latest information at the top.
Updated May 2nd:
Designer Tracy Walker resides in Uxbridge, Ontario, not in Ohio, as indicated in the Tech Specs below.
Updated April 18th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.36″ x 1.18″
The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.76″ x 1.06″
From the Postal Bulletin:
On May 23, 2025, in Aurora, CO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Baby Wild Animals stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in 10 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) double-sided booklet of 20 stamps (Item 685500). This stamp will go on sale May 23, 2025, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.
Baby Wild Animals stamps feature a graphic illustration of each animal in its habitat, surrounded by flowers, leaves, water, or other natural elements. The animals, which include a fox, owl, deer, seal, rabbit, raccoon, bear, skunk, bobcat, and chipmunk, range widely across the United States. Tracy Walker was the stamp designer and artist. Greg Breeding was the art director.
No automatic distribution.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at 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 – Baby Wild Animals 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 23, 2025.
Technical Specifications:
Issue:-Baby Wild Animals Stamps
Item Number:-685500
Denomination & Type of Issue:-First-Class Mail Forever
Format:-Double-sided Booklet of 20 (10 designs)
Series:-N/A
Issue Date & City:-May 23, 2025, Aurora, CO 80017
Art Director:-Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer:-Tracy Walker, Delaware, OH
Artist:-Tracy Walker, Delaware, OH
Modeler:-Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process:-Offset
Printer:-Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type:-Alprinta 74
Stamps per Booklet:-20
Print Quantity:-160,000,000
Paper Type:-Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type:-Pressure-sensitive
Colors:-Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation:-Vertical
Image Area (w x h):-0.7700 x 1.0500 in. / 19.5580 x 26.6700 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h):-0.9100 x 1.1900 in. / 23.1140 x 30.2260 mm.
Booklet Size (w x h):-5.7600 x 2.3800 in. / 146.3040 x 60.4520 mm.
Plate Size:-800 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers:-“B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front:-Header: BABY WILD ANIMALS Twenty First-Class Forever Stamps
Back:-© 2024 USPS in peel strip area • Barcode • USPS logo • Promotional text • Plate number in peel strip area
Updated March 6th:
The USPS says these stamps will be issued on Saturday, May 24th (the second day of the stamp show).
Updated February 20th:
As reported in Comments by Mike Pascoe, these stamps will be issued May 23 at Rocky Mountain Stamp Show in Aurora, Colorado (suburban Denver).
USA Philatelic Winter 2025 says May 2025…
Interesting. I always thought that such stamps come in October?
I’m a member of the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show Planning Committee and am proud to share the details our our website of the First Fay Ceremony taking place at our 2025 show – https://rockymountainstampshow.com/special-events
Thanks, Mike!
The Arapahoe county Fairgrounds has No Bus Service. Closest Bus is the 139 ( Picadily/Chenango ) or the 135 ( Southlands Mall ), either bus from the Nine Mile Streetcar station, ‘R’ or ‘H’ lines. From Denver Airport, ‘A’ line to Peoria Station, change to the ‘R’ line to Nine-Mile station. ( see above ). The ‘Host’ hotel has Airport Shuttle service. Closest hotel is the Fairfield Inn Aurora/Southlands. (303)928-7500. You have to buy Airport Shuttle (303)370-1300. You can rent a bicycle & ride to the County Fairgrounds from there. ( Harvest Rd )
Getting to the ‘Host Hotel’ from either Air or Train: The ‘A’ streetcar line from from Denver Union Station ( AMTRAK ) to Denver International Airport. Take the ‘A’ line to Peoria Station and transfer to the ‘R’ line. Take the ‘R’ to the Iliff station. You’re about a half-mile from the DoubleTree-Hilton. ( The other side of I-225 ) Call their Shuttle-Bus & they’ll probably hop over & get you. (303)337-2800. ( Complimentary from the Airport )
What is with the Postal Service and the horrendous color choices for these stamps? Our stamps used to be works of art.