Although the USPS only says these stamps will be issued during APS StampShow, August 9-12, in Columbus, Ohio, we have confirmed the first-day date is Thursday, August 9th.
The latest updates, including the USPS press release on the date and location, are at the bottom of the page. Latest update: October 2nd, 2018.
The Postal Service celebrates dragons, the high-flying, fire-breathing mythological creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia.
[USPS press release March 20th]
Dragons Coming to a Post Office Near You!
Postal Service to Feature Mythological Creatures on Stamps at APS National Summer Convention Stamp Show
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service will be joined by the American Philatelic Society (APS) to unveil four colorful stamp designs of 16 Forever stamps depicting dragons — the high-flying, fire-breathing mythological creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia — at the APS national summer convention and stamp show Aug. 9-12 in Columbus, OH.
“We’re very excited to bring these beautiful stamps to the 132nd annual APS convention,” said U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Director Mary-Anne Penner. “This is one of the premier stamp shows in America and serves as an excellent platform to showcase these special stamps.”
“We’re thrilled to have USPS unveil these great stamps with us in Columbus,” said Scott 
English, APS executive director. “There will be something for the whole family highlighting this cool theme. No experience necessary, so we hope you join us!”
The new stamps will be issued as a pane of 16 stamps showcasing one of four designs: a green fire-breathing dragon towering over a medieval-inspired castle; a purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snaking around a white castle; a black dragon with green wings and green armor on its back swooping past a ship on the sea; and a wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda.
The stamps feature digital illustrations created by artist Don Clark of Invisible Creature studio. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps. News of the stamp
s can be shared using the hashtag #DragonStamps.
Background
Throughout history and across the globe — from Europe to the Middle East to Asia to the Americas — people have enjoyed tales of mythological creatures. Though these legendary animals vary in shape, size and color, they’re most often described as lizard-like with four legs, sharp claws, scales, wings and spiky tails. The stamps feature four colorful dragons set against four unique backgrounds.
In the Far East, dragons are ubiquitous. The wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda is inspired by creatures found in Asian art, architecture, 
folk religion and ancient lore. The Chinese, in particular, have venerated the dragon for thousands of years.
European folklore inspired the dragons on two other stamps. The purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snakes around a white castle that evokes Camelot. The green fire-breathing dragon towers over a medieval-inspired castle. The fierce beasts have even become part of the identity of many countries.
Updated July 4, 2018:
On August 9, 2018, in Columbus, OH, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Dragons stamps (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 16 stamps (Item 477500). The stamps will go on sale nationwide August 9, 2018. The Dragons pane of 16 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates dragons, the high- flying, fire-breathing mythological creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia. Each of the stamps showcases one of four dragons:
- A green fire-breathing dragon towering over a medieval-inspired castle;
- A purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snaking around a white castle;
- A black dragon with green wings and green armor on its back swooping past a ship on the sea; and
- A wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda.
Each of the stamps and the header feature orange foiled highlights that add a fire-like glint. At the top of the pane, “Dragons” appears alongside a black fire-breathing dragon. The stamps are digital illustrations created by artist Don Clark of Invisible Creature studio, while Greg Breeding served as art director.
Availability to Post Offices: Item 477500, Dragons (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) Commemorative Pane of 16 Stamps Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.
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 usps.com/shop . 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 – Dragons 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 December 9, 2018.
Technical Specifications:
Issue: Dragons Stamps
Item Number: 477500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 16 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: August 9, 2018, Columbus, OH 43216
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Don Clark, Maple Valley, VA
Artist: Don Clark, Maple Valley, VA
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Hot Foil Stamping
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74, Müeller-Martini Custom
Stamps per Pane: 16
Print Quantity: 30,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): .84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): .98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.542 x 8.375 in./115.367 x 212.725 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 9.084 x 19.375 in./230.73 x 492.13 mm
Plate Size: 128 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Dragons • Plate number in two corners
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (477500) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional text
Updated July 7, 2018:
The Postal Bulletin shows 4 Digital Color Postmarks and one B&W pictorial for this issue. We have received no guidance from the USPS as to size, or if a specific DCP goes with a specific stamp, but here are the designs: 
Updated August 3, 2018:
[from the USPS]
Dragons Forever!
U.S. Postal Service to Feature Mythological Creatures on Stamps
What: The U.S. Postal Service will celebrate dragons: The high-flying, fire-breathing creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia will be featured on 16 new Forever stamps during a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony at the American Philatelic Society Stamp (APS) Show co-hosted by the American Topical Association.
Please share the news using the hashtag #DragonStamps. This ceremony is free and open to the public. RSVP at usps.com/dragons . (Note: Attendees must register onsite at the APS registration booth to receive a pass for access to the exhibit floor where the ceremony will be held.)
Who:
Mary-Anne Penner, director, Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service
Joshua Colin, vice president, Area Operations, Eastern Area, U.S. Postal Service
Scott D. English, executive director, American Philatelic Society
Janet Klug, chair, Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
When: Noon EDT, Thursday, Aug. 9
Where: American Philatelic Society National Summer Convention Stamp Show
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Exhibit Hall B
400 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.
Background: Throughout history and across the globe — from Europe to the Middle East to Asia to the Americas — people have enjoyed tales of the mythological creatures. Though these legendary animals vary in shape, size and color, they’re most often described as lizard-like with four legs, sharp claws, scales, wings, and spiky tails. The stamps feature four colorful dragons set against four unique backgrounds.
Each of the 16 stamps showcases one of four dragons: a green fire-breathing dragon towering over a medieval-inspired castle; a purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snaking around a white castle; a black dragon with green wings and green armor on its back swooping past a ship on the sea; and a wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda.
The stamps feature digital illustrations created by artist Don Clark of Invisible Creature studio. Art director Greg Breeding designed the issuance.
Updated October 2nd: Here are the Scott Catalogue numbers for this issue:
5307 (50¢) Dragons – Green Dragon and Castle
5308 (50¢) Dragons – Purple Dragon and Castle
5309 (50¢) Dragons – Blue Dragon and Ship
5310 (50¢) Dragons – Orange and Pink Dragon and Pagoda
a. Strip or block of 4, #5307-5310
b. Horiz. strip of 4, #5307-5310, die cutting missing
OH WOW!!! These are right up Lloyd’s alley. It will be interesting to see his Dragon Cards…
A very unnecessary design!
Well, unless they are commemorating a specific dragon-related anniversary or that of the birth or death of someone who studied dragons in the wild in the United States or what is now the United States (the natural history of dragons) I would argue that these should be definitives, not commemoratives. But in my view they are wonderful stamps.
Like the topic, don’t like the designs/artwork — they look like mutant glass snakes or legless lizards.
I am a traditionalist. Maybe a new low in pointless. Please just no. Too many issues for modern mail volume anyway.
From Post Bull 5 July
477504 PSA Pn 16 Cannot bu split, buy whole pane.
FOUR DIFF. DCP & a B/W PIC Cancel #16 PIC-4 $3.76 #21 DCP-4 $6.60 ( Or can Any DCP be put on Any stamp? 16 varieties… )
From Linns OCT 15 Scott 5307-5310
Another issue top perhaps attract young people to the hobby. Bravo, USPS.
https://www.usps.com/ecp/asset/images/477504-Z0.jpg
At this point it looks like this issue is a big yawn.
Who thought that Dragons could be so boring?
Now I know why Smaug fell asleep.
While I think dragons are a more appropriate stamp subject for Eastern/Asian cultures, and they or their folklore have little (that I am aware of) influence in American culture (other than those of Asian ancestry, ethnicity and culture), I do believe these stamps are colorful, interesting, and frankly, better than some of the other more recent issues.
This is completely incorrect. Leaving aside anything to do with natural history, dragons have played a very important role in the story and legend of Western civilization, and, moreover, why does everyone always make sure to scrupulously ignore heraldry, as if it is a matter of principle? In heraldry, one of the most important parts of Western culture, dragons loom large.
I certainly enjoyed your comments and you have provided insights that I did not include in my remarks. However I point out again that I was coming from the strictest of perspectives–that of MY knowledge and pointed that fact out from nearly the beginning of my comments. I also limited my comments to American (as in USA) folklore and legend, not from the wider scope of Western civilization. And lastly, I did indeed leave out Heraldry because I would think that topic lends itself more to European nations where dragons played an admittedly large role (Look at all the banners, coat of arms, flags, shields and crests that bear images of dragons). To my knowledge there’s not much of that in the USA currently or historically. With all that said, it hardly constitutes my remarks as “completely incorrect”. Such hubris. I do restate that I thoroughly enjoyed these stamps from their artistic value, color and overall visual appeal.
As to the question whether or not the design on the DRAGONS were UNNECESSARY OR NOT. Then how come The USPS Offices both ran out of the of the Dragons; Brunswick Maine’s Branch was approx 11-09,2018. And Topsham Maine’s Branch ran out approximately 10-24th, 2018