First Look: 2018 U.S. Stamps

Updated December 26th: We now have individual pages for each issue. Click on the name of the issue to go to that specific page.

Updated December 19th: * indicates a first-day ceremony for this issue

[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Provides a Sneak Peek at Select 2018 Stamps

WASHINGTON — With a new year just around the corner, the U.S. Postal Service is raising the curtain to provide a sneak peek at a portion of its 2018 stamp program.

Icons such as Lena Horne, John Lennon and Sally Ride and will be immortalized on Forever stamps next year. Stunning photographs of America’s dramatic landscapes will commemorate the song “America the Beautiful.”

Other diverse and educational stamps on deck for 2018 will:

  • Shine light on bioluminescent creatures that glow in the dark;
  • Showcase the art of magic through five classic magic tricks;
  • Celebrate mythological fire-eating dragons; and,
  • Offer “tasty” frozen treats for those with a sweet tooth.

Detailed information and issuance dates on these stamps and others will be revealed later. All stamp designs are preliminary and are subject to change until issuance dates.

Details on individual issues:

Love Flourishes (Love series)
Love Flourishes is the latest stamp in the Love series. The stamp art features a fanciful garden of colorful flowers surrounding the word “Love.”

Year of the Dog (Celebrating Lunar New Year series)
The Year of the Dog stamp is the 11th of 12 stamps in the Celebrating Lunar New Year series. The Year of the Dog begins Feb. 16, 2018, and ends Feb. 4, 2019.

Lena Horne (Black Heritage series)
The 41st issuance in the Black Heritage series honors the achievements of legendary performer and civil rights activist Lena Horne (1917–2010). Remembered as one of America’s great interpreters of popular songs, Horne also was a trailblazer in Hollywood for women of color. She used her personal elegance, charisma and fame to become an important spokesperson for civil rights.

U.S. Flag
For more than half a century, U.S. stamps have depicted the American flag in vivid red, white and blue. This eye-catching new issuance continues that tradition with a striking graphic design of a flag with two crisp folds.

Bioluminescent Life
This issuance celebrates the phenomenon of bioluminescence — the ability of some species to glow — with a pane of 20 stamps featuring 10 life-forms that create their own light.

llinois Statehood (Statehood series)
This stamp celebrates the 200th anniversary of Illinois statehood. Known as the Prairie State, Illinois became the 21st state of the union on Dec. 3, 1818.

Mister Rogers
Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was known as a beloved television neighbor to generations of children. His groundbreaking public television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood inspired and educated young viewers with warmth, sensitivity and honesty.

STEM Education
These Forever stamps celebrate the role of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in keeping our nation a global leader in innovation. Designed to pique the curiosity of the viewer, each of these four stamps features a collage of faces, symbols, drawings and numbers that represent the complexity and interconnectedness of the STEM disciplines.

Sally Ride
America’s first woman in space, Sally Ride (1951–2012), inspired the nation as a pioneering astronaut, brilliant physicist and dedicated educator.

Flag Act of 1818
With this stamp, the Postal Service marks the 200th anniversary of the Flag Act of 1818, which gave us the basic design of the current American flag: 13 stripes symbolizing the original 13 colonies and one star for each state in the union.

Frozen Treats
Frozen Treats features frosty, colorful icy pops on a stick. The tasty, sweet confections come in a variety of shapes and flavors.

O Beautiful
With the release of O Beautiful, the Postal Service commemorates the beauty and majesty of the United States through images that correspond with one of the nation’s most beloved songs, “America the Beautiful.” World War I: Turning the Tide
With this stamp, the Postal Service pays tribute to the sacrifice of American soldiers and millions of supporters on the home front who experienced World War I. Entering World War I (1914–1918) in its later stages, the United States helped turn the tide of war in favor of the Allies.

Dragons
The Postal Service celebrates dragons, the high-flying, fire-breathing mythological creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia. Birds in Winter
Birds in Winter celebrates four of winter’s winged beauties: the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), and the red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus).

John Lennon (Music Icons series)
The newest stamp in the Music Icons series honors singer and songwriter John Lennon (1940–1980), a rock ’n’ roll hero successful both as a founding member of the Beatles and as a solo artist.

The Art of Magic
The Postal Service celebrates the art of magic with this pane of 20 stamps featuring digital illustrations of five classic tricks magicians use to amaze and delight audiences: a rabbit in a hat (production), a fortune teller using a crystal ball (prediction), a woman floating in the air (levitation), an empty bird cage (vanishing), and a bird emerging from a flower (transformation).

Byodo-In Temple (Priority Mail)
This Priority Mail stamp features a colorful illustration of the Byodo-In Temple, a popular tourist attraction in Hawai‘i.

Sleeping Bear Dunes (Priority Mail Express)
With this Priority Mail Express stamp, the Postal Service celebrates the Sleeping Bear Dunes, a national park in Michigan that takes its name from a Native American legend.

Meyer Lemons
Meyer Lemons is a 2-cent definitive stamp. The stamp art features a whole Meyer lemon next to two wedges of the cut fruit.

50 thoughts on “First Look: 2018 U.S. Stamps

  1. I am most pleased about the O Beautiful stamp group and Birds in Winter.
    The others I really like are [in no order]:
    Love Flourishes
    Bioluminescent Life
    Illinois Statehood
    Mister Rogers
    Frozen Treats

    Sadly do not care for L. Horne because of racist things she said, I wish they would have chosen another for the Black Heritage series stamp:
    Lena Horne

    • Lena Horne was at the vanguard of the civil rights movement & for equal treatment of people of color. She performed for the troops during WWII until the USO would not allow the black troops equal access to her. In other words the black troops had to sit at the back of the bus when she performed.

    • I use to order my cachets from Artcraft but they stopped making them about 2 or 3 years ago. I’ve searched the I-net for other affordable ones but no luck. Any suggestions? Thanks!

      • Hi! I’ve been producing cachets since 1983 for select issues. Since ArtCraft stopped producing cachets after 2015 I have been producing cachets for every issue. They are available either serviced or self-service. The price for self-service is $1.00 each plus shipping. If interested you can order by sending a check payable to Rollin Berger, PO Box 319, Clifton, VA 20124-0319. One can usually get 2-3 cachets for the first class rate of $0.49 soon to go to $0.50. My cachets are professionally designed & printed in color. My email address is currently down for repairs.

  2. So, we finally get a WW I stamp, one year late. One single stamp for an event as important as WW I. Also, we finally got a second stamp honoring an American astronaut. Princess Leia got a stamp before Sally Ride. That’s sad. And we’re still waiting for stamps of Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, and Gus Grissom. Last year was the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 1 fire, why didn’t we get a stamp honoring Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee?

    Call me underwhelmed.

    • Thanks Sean. You voice many of my sentiments. Where are Neil Armstrong and John Glenn? I know some people will be happy to see dragons and magic, but I am unimpressed. And a single stamp for WW1 (after 50? Stamps for WW2) is embarrassing.

      • Keep in mind, the USPS sets its stamp schedule YEARS in advance. And just because a well-known person passes doesn’t mean that the USPS can drop everything and disrupt their schedule to get a stamp out ASAP. The few times they’ve done it, the stamp design has been rather generic or a ‘copy’ of something so that no time is taken up creating an original design.
        In fact, if the public wants to submit a topic for the USPS to consider, it’s stated in the paperwork that if you want a stamp for an anniversary of something, you need to submit AT LEAST THREE YEARS IN ADVANCE (it’s the same time schedule for any public submitted topic).

        However, I do agree that in the case of anniversaries like the Apollo 1 fire and the upcoming 15th anniversary of the Columbia disaster, the USPS has had plenty of time to come up with something.
        Unfortunately, the USPS has been having financial problems the last several years and if you look at the number of issues/stamps that have come out, each year there are fewer. Just look at the lack of 2017 Christmas & holiday issues.

    • I agree that the people you mention are deserving of a stamp; however, I would point out that the USPS does not issue stamps for disasters.

      • Point in fact, the USPS did issue a stamp ‘about’ a disaster.
        #956 (1948) “Those Immortal Chaplains”.
        In February of 1943, a troop transport ship was torpedoed and sank with four ‘clergy’/chaplains from different faiths. The chaplains ‘gave up’ their life vests when it became apparent that there weren’t enough to go around; as a result, they went down with the ship.
        One could argue that heroism and self-sacrifice are being honored; but it could also be debated that the stamp is also a “disaster” stamp since the design clearly shows the ship sinking.

        • Times change. Four Chaplains was….75 years ago. The current thinking at the USPS is “no disasters.” In fact, I’m told that the current feeling is no battles. The Civil War stamps earlier this decade wouldn’t have passed muster under this regime.

          • The comment I replied to came across as all-inclusive as if the USPS had NEVER issued a disaster stamp.
            I just wanted to clarify that the USPS did issue such a stamp REGARDLESS of how long ago it was.

        • I forgot about this “disaster” stamp issued on June 7, 2002; “The Heroes” semipostal #B2.
          Though the subject is “Heroes,” the photo used is of “Ground Zero.”

    • There have been several WWI stamps issued by the USPS —
      #537 (1919), #2154 (1985), #2998 (1995), #3183i (1998), #3330 (1999), and several of the “Distinguished Soldiers” series — #3393-96, 3961-64, 4440-43 — could be debated as well to be WWI issues.
      Also, the “Turning the Tide” stamp is NOT one year late. Given the USPS description, it honors the sacrifices of ALL those involved. You can only honor ALL when the event is over, not during. And the war ended in 1918.
      Officially, the U.S. entered the war on April 6, 1917, and stayed till the end on November 11, 1918. The U.S. was officially involved for just over a year-and-a-half, not the 4-5 years that nearly all of Europe was entangled. Plus by the descriptor, the stamp is honoring ONLY the Americans involved, NOT everyone. Additionally, the U.S. was NEVER a formal member of “the Allies;” we weren’t in it long enough.
      The Princess Leia / Sally Ride comment is a non sequitor since the Leia stamp was not only part of the “Star Wars” issue (therefore, technically, not honoring an individual) but came out FIVE years before Sally Ride died. And at the time, it was still USPS policy not to put a “known” living person on a stamp.
      Just felt a comment was needed.

      • I’m fully aware of when the US entered a WWI and how long it fought. The 100th Anniversary of the US entry into WWI was in 2017, not 2018. The stamp should have been issued last year, period. And one measly stamp is ridiculously trivial for the 100th Anniversary of such a momentous event, no matter how many times in the past the USPS has issued a stamp.

        I refuse to be an apologist from the US Stamp program. It’s a disaster.

        • The WWI stamp is NOT an “entry into WWI” anniversary stamp.
          It’s an anniversary for the END of WWI and honors the sacrifices made by ALL.

          I’m not asking anyone to be “an apologist” for the USPS stamp program.
          I agree, it has suffered over the last few years; however, I think people should REALLY know/realize why a stamp is being issued and what it’s celebrating/honoring/making-the-public-aware-of before they criticize it.

    • I think the main two reasons for the single WWI stamp are:
      1. The U.S. was not as impacted as the other countries involved. Remember, the U.S. was only actually involved (as in “having declared war”) for just over a year while the European countries were involved for FOUR to FIVE years with the battles fought on THEIR lands.
      2. There are fewer, if any, people alive today who were involved with WWI.
      The USPS used the same logic when they did the “Decades” stamps. The stamp topics in the sheets covering 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 were decided by a committee because, at the time, fewer people from those decades were alive as compared to the later decades in which the general public was able to vote on the topics covered by the 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, and 1990 stamp sheets.

  3. Don’t care for most of the new topics really,,, we are NOT paying tribute to American heros enough,,,,, One stamp, a year late for WWI, how sad indeed !!,, Frozen treats,, give me a break !!! SOMEONE MUST BE GETTING PAID OFF AT THE USPS !!! ,,, WALL PAPER LIKE MANY OTHER FOREIGN COUNTRIES !!!

  4. Seems like a start to a solid line-up. However, I spend a lot of time looking at new issues from other countries (I collect cattle/cow/bovine stamps), and the US seems to be getting beat in terms of stamp design.

    I do agree with many of the comments that we are not honoring enough of our heroes – be they heroes of war, social justice or innovation. So we get a single issue for WWI and four for mythical dragons? Hmm…

    • Good question. I’ve asked that, too. I suspect it will be a separate announcement for maximum publicity and attention.

      Meanwhile, we’re going to make your question a Quotable on our Front Page!

  5. The John Lennon commemorative was long overdue (almost 38 years after his death!) As a musician myself, I am grateful to see the stamp except the design is HORRIBLE! It reminds me of complaints I get when I take photos of people under (indoor) lamp lights where the lighting causes the photos to be too bright and color gets washed out!

    • and the released digital image is only 150 x 150 pixels? Even eBay won’t let you post something that small… Sad.

    • John Lennon was also known as a photographer. The photo used on the stamp is very similar to the photo on the cover of ‘his’ 1985 “Listen to These Pictures: The Photography of John Lennon” book.
      I feel John was ‘strange’ when compared to the other Beatles and I think the stamp design captures, and exemplifies, that.

    • This stamp should be issued on Oct. 1, 2018 as this day is going to be declared by the UNITED NATIONS AS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MUSIC.

    • John, I think the next musician stamp should be George Harrison because he and John Lennon made up the Beatles and it would show respect for John’s fellow musician. The Beatles influenced so many musicians and maybe the next stamps should be Beatles album pictures.

  6. I’m not taken with the design on “The Year of the Dog” stamp.
    First off, where’s the dog?
    Is it that ‘blotch’ in the upper left corner?
    And what about those ‘plants’?
    I know that rose, oncidium, cymbidium, and orchids are associated with the Year of the Dog, but the green ‘things’ don’t look like any plants/flowers I’ve seen.
    At least the design was done in appropriate/correct colors.

  7. My annual complaint of just too many issues, and too many of them frivolous subjects. Popsicles and Dragons? Oh please!

    Like the 1818 Flag issue, but I’d like it better if that were the standard-issue flag stamp for awhile and skip the smaller-format look-alike.

    The astronaut suggestion is so appropriate I can’t believe it has never happened. Why not the original Mercury 7? More logical than most of the calendar. Guess the USPS is too busy with frivolous.

  8. I am going to make a prediction. My prediction is that we will get a Superman stamp in october-ish. 4 years ago we got Batman. Two years ago we got Wonder Women. It would be crazy to not complete the Detective Comics Trinity. So I do believe we’re getting a Superman this year.

    • Good thinking! 2018 will be the 80th anniversary of the first appearance of Superman in a commercial comic book. While not the usual multiple the USPS says it prefers, those guidelines never $tand in the way of making a big $plash and lot$ of money.

      • I HAVE A FRIEND WHO WROTE A LOT OF THE EARLY SUPERMAN COMICS LIVES IN THE SAME CITY AS I DO.

  9. Humm Lunar New Year stamp in Honolulu. I guess they want the artist, Kam Mak, to be there. Why not combine this with a ceremony for the Byodo-In temple, its on Oahu… ( 2 weeks vacation in HI for postal officials… ) I’ll talk to some boat captians, maybe a ride over to Oahu for the ceremonies… ( How about a First Day of Sale – Honolulu HI cancel, with ceremonies at the temple ? )

  10. From Postal Bulletin DEC 20
    19 JAN Lemon 2c Coil 10K 760400 No Auto. ( Maybe from Oneco CT – any number you want ) Kenner LA no ceremony
    21 JAN Byodo-In Priority $6.70 Pane-4 114104 No Auto. PIC & DCP KC MO No ceremony
    21 JAN Sleepingn Bear Express $24.70 Pane-4 119804 No Auto PIC & DCP KC MO No ceremony
    Maybe a First Day of Sale cancel in Honolulu for the Byodo-In stamp…

    No numbers for the Year of the Dog or the Love stamp…

  11. I suspect the USPS realizes that they cannot make everyone happy–I get that. But as I looked through the pictures of 2018 stamps I couldn’t help but be pleased with the beauty, simplicity and honor that they put into the Mr. Rogers stamp. For those who grew up watching his show and those who’s kids or grandkids did, the stamp is a tribute to good and wholesome man. I, for one, am very happy with the design.

    • The USPS didn’t it didn’t need them, had enough of the previous Butterfly (which was, after all, a Forever stamp, so there’s really no need for a new one every year anyway). Dogface will be let out of the doghouse when supplies of the previous stamp for the nonmachineable rate, the Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly, runs out.

  12. The John Lennon stamp is outrageous. Why on earth does the USPS want to honor this anti-American foreigner in the Music Icons series? They could have at least honored an American like country singer Eddie Arnold, whose 100th birthday is this year.

  13. I can’t wait for the John Lennon stamp to release at the local post office. My all time greatest music artist, I love John Lennon and continue to be a Beatles maniac at age 68. Nobody comes close to John for the message of peace.

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