Updated October 2nd: The colors and press sheet size initially reported by the USPS were incorrect. We have updated the information below in Technical Specifications.

Updated September 20th: Photos from the first-day ceremony, courtesy VSC member Chris Lazaroff: Chris himself at the ceremony.

Updated August 18th: From the Postal Bulletin:
On September 18, 2015, in Cleveland, OH, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Paul Newman First-Class Mail® (Forever® 49-cent stamp), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 473400).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide September 18, 2015.

More than just a film icon, Paul Newman (1925–2008) used his success as an actor, writer, producer, and director to promote and fund foundations and institutions that benefit many causes worldwide. The stamp art features a 1980 photograph of Newman taken by Steve Schapiro. Text that reads “actor/philanthropist” appears on the left side of the stamp and Newman’s name scrolls across the top. The stamp pane includes verso text. Newman’s SeriousFun Children\u0027s Network has helped more than 600,000 children and families in the United States and beyond. Since its inception in 1982, Newman\u0027s Own food brand has donated its profits — more than $430 million — to charity. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at http://www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Paul Newman Stamp
Customer Relations Coordinator
Cleveland Post Office
2200 Orange Avenue, Room 234
Cleveland, OH 44101-9998

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. For more than 50, customers have to pay five cents each. All orders must be postmarked by November 17, 2015.

There are twelve philatelic products for this stamp issue:

• 473406, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $58.80 (print quantity 250)
• 473408, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $58.80 (print quantity 500)
• 473410 Keepsake with Digital Color Postmark, $11.95
• 473416 First-Day Cover, $0.93
• 473418 First-Day Cover Full Pane, $12.30
• 473419 Cancelled Full Pane, $12.30
• 473421 Digital Color Postmark, $1.64
• 473424 Framed Art, $39.95
• 473430 Ceremony Program, $6.95
• 473431 Stamp Deck Card, $0.95
• 473432 Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Postmark, $1.99
• 473433 Panel, $10.95

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Paul Newman Stamp
Item Number: 473400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: Cleveland, OH 44101
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photo: Steve Schapiro
Engraver: N/A
Modeler: Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 12 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 8.00 in./150.37 x 203.20 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 11.84 x 24.00 in./ 300.74 x 609.60 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Front: Plate numbers in two corners
Back: © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • (2) UPC Barcodes (473400) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text • Paul Newman Bio

Updated August 18th: Here are the first day postmarks for this issue:It measures 2.63″x1.31″
It measures 2.54″x1.36″.

Updated July 31st:
[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Announces Paul Newman Forever Stamp Dedication Ceremony to be Held in Cleveland, OH, Sept. 18

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service announced today the Forever Stamp honoring award-winning actor and philanthropist Paul Newman will be officially dedicated Sept. 18 in the Playhouse Square District in Cleveland, OH.

The first-day-of-issue ceremony location is U.S. Bank Plaza on E.14th Street & Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH. The ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m. A proclamation will be issued proclaiming Sept. 18, “Paul Newman Day.”

Clea Newman, daughter of Paul Newman, is scheduled to attend the ceremony along with Joshua Colin, area vice president, Eastern Area, U.S. Postal Service, who will serve as the dedicating official; Janet Klug, chairman of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee; and

Mary-Anne Penner, director, Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service.

More than just a film icon, Newman used his success as an actor, writer, producer and director to advance his philanthropic endeavors funding charitable causes in an effort to make the world a better place.

SeriousFun Children’s Network, which Newman founded, has helped more than 600,000 children and their family members in the United States and beyond since inception in 1988. Perhaps Newman’s boldest action on the philanthropic stage came in 1982, when he founded the Newman’s Own food company. Beginning simply with a single product of oil-and-vinegar salad dressing and a commitment to quality and charitable giving over profit, the company has since grown into an international business with more than 200 products. Along the way, more than $430 million was donated to thousands of charities from the profits and royalties earned from the sale of Newman’s Own products.

In 1998, Newman helped create the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, an organization composed of board chairs and CEOs of major corporations that focuses on corporate philanthropy and citizenship. In 2006, he co-founded the Safe Water Network, which provides market-based safe water solutions to people in the developing world.

Newman’s legacy will be honored the night before the stamp release at Campfire, a charity dinner and show on Sept. 17 that benefits Flying Horse Farms — the SeriousFun Children’s Network camp in Newman’s home state of Ohio. Guests at the event will see a sneak peek at the Paul Newman stamp. Tickets cost $200 and will be available in early August at flyinghorsefarms.org.

Updated July 9th: This stamp will be issued in Cleveland, zip 44101, according to the Postal Bulletin.

[USPS press release – June 29th]
U.S. Postal Service to Issue Paul Newman Forever Stamp
Dedication ceremony is Sept. 18

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service announced today that award-winning actor and philanthropist Paul Newman will be honored on a Forever Stamp. The stamp will go on sale Sept. 18.

The stamp art features photographer Steve Schapiro’s 1980 photograph of Newman accompanied by text that reads “Actor/Philanthropist.” The photo credit is Paul Newman photo/© Steve Schapiro/Corbis. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

With his blue eyes and on-screen charisma, Newman enthralled American moviegoers for six decades. Over the course of his decorated movie career, he received 10 Academy Award nominations, including eight for best actor. He won an Oscar for his role in the 1986 film “The Color of Money.” At the Oscars in 1994, Newman was presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Newman stayed active in the arts and also embraced his many passions, particularly auto racing, which he took up in his 40s. Each year the number on his race car was changed to match his age. The last car he raced was number 82. He also served as the president of the board of the famed Actors Studio, which he helped support financially.

More than just a film icon, Newman used his success as an actor, writer, producer and director to advance his philanthropic endeavors funding charitable causes in an effort to make the world a better place.

Newman’s SeriousFun Children’s Network has helped more than 600,000 children and families in the United States and beyond. Perhaps Newman’s boldest action on the philanthropic stage came in 1982, when he founded the Newman’s Own food company. Beginning simply with a single product of oil-and-vinegar salad dressing and a commitment to quality and charitable giving over profit, the company has since grown into an international business with more than 200 products. Along the way, Newman’s Own has donated more than $430 million to thousands of charities.

In 1998, Newman helped create the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, an organization composed of board chairs and CEOs of major corporations that focuses on corporate philanthropy and citizenship. In 2006, he co-founded the Safe Water Network, which provides market-based safe water solutions to people in the developing world.