Updated April 2nd: The Scott Catalogue number for this issue is 5174. The Scott editors calling this issue “People Wearing Uncle Sam’s Hats.”

Updated February 3rd: The Postal Bulletin says “Press sheets were not issued for Uncle Sam’s Hat; therefore, the dimensions were listed in error.” Accordingly, we have removed them from the VSC listing below.

Updated January 30, 2017: Here is the pictorial first-day postmark for this issue: This postmark measures 2.84” x 1.33”. Keep in mind that, despite the illustration, you only need an additional 28¢ postage for first day covers of this issue.

Note that the above name, “Uncle Sam’s Hat,” is the official USPS name for this issue.

From the USPS:

On February 18, 2017, in Mesa, AZ, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Uncle Sam’s Hat additional ounce rate stamp (Nondenominated priced at 21 cents), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 119700).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 18, 2017.

With the release of Uncle Sam’s Hat in 2017, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates one of our country’s most popular patriotic characters. The stamp features eight graphic top hats in Uncle Sam’s signature style, with red and white vertical stripes above a blue band with a white star and a gray brim. Beneath each hat is an oval shape representing a face, each in a different shade, meant to suggest the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp. The words “ADDITIONAL OUNCE” on this stamp indicate its usage value. Like a Forever stamp, this stamp will always be valid for the rate printed on it.

Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. Each cover must have sufficient postage to meet First-Class Mail requirements. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store website at 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:

FDOI – Uncle Sam’s Hat 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 April 18, 2017.

There is one philatelic product for this stamp issue:

• 119716 First-Day Cover, $1.14

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Uncle Sam’s Hat Stamp
Item Number: 119700
Denomination & Type of Issue: Additional Ounce Rate Nondenominated, Mail Use
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 18, 2017, Mesa, AZ 85201
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 100,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Cool Gray 7/Gray, PMS 7687/Blue, PMS 7621/Red, Cyan,
Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in/18.54 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in/22.10 x 24.89 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.30 x 4.88 in/134.62 x 123.95 mm
Plate Size: 400 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by seven (7) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in four corners of pane
Back: © 2016 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (119700) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text

Updated January 5th: The USPS confirms that the stamp will be issued in Mesa on February 18th, presumably with a first-day ceremony at Aripex.

Updated December 29th, 2016: There is a report that this stamp will be issued at the Aripex show in Mesa, Arizona, February 17-19. We do not yet have confirmation.

From the USPS, September 20, 2016:

With the release of Uncle Sam’s Hat in 2017, the Postal Service celebrates one of the country’s most popular patriotic characters. Known especially for his large top hat decorated in varying patterns of stars and stripes, Uncle Sam has represented the bravery and fortitude of the American spirit for more than 150 years. The stamp features eight graphic top hats in Uncle Sam’s signature style. Red and white vertical stripes extend above a blue band with a white star and a gray brim. Beneath each hat is an oval shape representing a face, each in a different shade, meant to suggest the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp. The words “ADDITIONAL OUNCE” on this stamp indicate its usage value. Like a Forever stamp, this stamp will always be valid for the rate printed on it.