Education Director Tomalei Vess Leaving APS

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Education Director Tomalei Vess will be leaving the American Philatelic Society, the nation’s largest stamp collecting organization, as of the end of the year. “This has been a hard decision, but after a lot of reflection, I’ve decided to step into a new opportunity,” she told The Virtual Stamp Club in email. “I have been invited to be a partner in a startup company with people I have known for years.”

She joined the APS in January 2025 with experience in K-12, university and museum education. She has a PhD in Biology.

She plans to help with the transition to the new Education Director. “I am invested in the future of the hobby, and the success of the APS,” she said.

“I am eternally grateful for this community of philatelists—people who pour wisdom, generosity, and kindness into APS, its mission, and the Education Department. That support has shaped me in lasting ways. Words cannot adequately describe my appreciation.”

Updated January 13th: The APS has posted the job now. From the email newsletter:

The APS is looking for a Director of Education to join our team! This role is collaborative and hands-on, driving the organization’s education strategy and leading the development of philatelic educational content.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Boston 2026 Show Now Has Webpage on Tariff Ruling

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Boston 2026 Show Now Has Webpage on Tariff Ruling

The Boston 2026 web site has a new webpage dealing exclusively with the tariff issues around stamps and philatelic material, including a copy of the new ruling letter covering HTSUS 9704 that such items are again tariff free. See the Tariffs webpage on www.Boston2026.org.

In a correspondence dated October 30 from Andrew Langreich, Office of Trade Chief at U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, to Boston 2026 Executive Director Mark Butterline, the ruling confirms Harmonized Tariff Schedule HTSUS 9704 items (i.e., stamps and other philatelic material) are exempt from all tariffs and duties.

Boston 2026 previously hired Vantage Point Services, a customs broker, to ensure no difficulties are encountered by those needing importation assistance to the show. This advice was echoed by the Office of Trade Chief’s correspondence.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Facebook, X and Instagram. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

Youth Fellowship Applications Open (2026)

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[from official materials] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
YPLF Applications Now Open

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship cohort!

The Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship provides collectors aged 16 to 24 with the opportunity to learn from experts in the hobby and gain experience in their chosen track, fostering a lifelong connection with philately.

Applications will close on February 1, 2026.

And remember, APS members can still nominate a collector to participate in the program via the form linked here. The nomination period is open from now until January 15, 2026.

Canada Post Outlines 2026 Stamps

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
2026 stamp lineup celebrates Canadian hip-hop, a sweet and timeless Quebec tradition, and much more
Canada Post captures the spirit of Canada through the people, events and stories featured in upcoming stamp issues

OTTAWA – Today Canada Post announced its 2026 stamp lineup, which features several milestones, people and cultural events that have helped define Canadian identity.

Here are some highlights:

  • Next year’s annual Black History Month stamp dives into the careers and achievements of Canadian hip-hop pioneers.
  • Colourful scenes from the temps des sucres (sugaring-off season) and Quebec’s cabanes à sucre (sugar shacks) – traditions that are part of the intangible heritage of Quebec – grace these stamps.
  • The popular Places of Pride issue returns, remembering significant events and locations across Canada that 2SLGBTQIA+ people fought to make their own.
  • A new stamp commemorates the 100th anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion, known for its National Poppy Campaign and roughly 1,350 branches that serve as community hubs across the country.
  • A fascinating look at four wolf species found across Canada.
  • In response to a growing demand for blood donations, a new stamp raises awareness and encourages Canadians to give.
  • A set of three eerie jack-o’-lanterns help kick off October’s spooky season.

The list of new stamps also includes the continuation of several popular annual series with a fresh take for 2026:

  • New Truth and Reconciliation stamps commemorate Orange Shirt Day.
    • The annual flower series showcases the delicate blooms of ornamental cherry blossoms.
    • A stamp raising funds for the Canada Post Community Foundation aims to deliver a brighter future for children and youth.
    • For Remembrance Day, a new design commemorates the service of Chinese Canadians sent on secret missions behind Japanese lines in Asia.
    • Unique stamps celebrate the holidays of Eid, Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas.

    Individually, the stamps tell their own rich stories. Collectively, they paint a bigger picture of what makes Canada special. The independent Stamp Advisory Committee recommends subjects for the annual program, and members rely on thoughtful input from groups and individuals to choose subjects that capture important themes and histories that reflect the shared values of Canadians nationwide.

    [en Francais pour les médias d’information]
    Le programme des timbres-poste de 2026 célèbre le hip-hop canadien, une délicieuse tradition québécoise et plus encore
    Postes Canada saisit l’esprit du pays à travers les personnes, les événements et les histoires dont parlent ses prochaines émissions de timbres.

    OTTAWA – Aujourd’hui, Postes Canada a dévoilé son programme de timbres-poste de 2026 qui inclura des personnes, des moments marquants et des événements culturels qui aident à définir l’identité canadienne.

    En voici les points saillants :

    • Le timbre annuel du Mois de l’histoire des Noirs saluera la carrière et les réalisations de pionniers et pionnières du hip-hop canadien.
    • Des timbres illustreront par des scènes colorées le temps des sucres et la cabane à sucre, des traditions inscrites au patrimoine immatériel du Québec.
    • La très populaire émission de timbres sur les Lieux de la Fierté sera de retour, nous rappelant les événements et endroits importants au Canada pour lesquels la communauté 2ELGBTQIA+ s’est battue.
    • Un nouveau timbre commémoratif soulignera le 100e anniversaire de la Légion royale canadienne, connue pour sa Campagne nationale du Coquelicot et ses quelque 1 350 filiales qui servent de carrefours communautaires à l’échelle du pays.
    • Des timbres jetteront un regard fascinant sur quatre espèces de loups que l’on retrouve au Canada.
    • Un nouveau timbre sensibilisera la population canadienne à la demande croissante pour les dons de sang et l’encouragera à se retrousser les manches.
    • Un trio de citrouilles illuminées donnera le coup d’envoi à l’effrayante saison d’octobre.

    La liste des nouveaux timbres comprend également la suite de plusieurs séries annuelles populaires, revampées pour 2026 :

    • De nouveaux timbres sur la vérité et la réconciliation en commémoration de la Journée du chandail orange.
    • Les délicates fleurs de cerisiers ornementaux pour la série annuelle sur les fleurs.
    • Un timbre philanthropique pour la Fondation communautaire de Postes Canada dont l’objectif est d’offrir un avenir meilleur aux enfants et aux jeunes du pays.
    • Pour le jour du Souvenir, un timbre commémoratif au sujet du service des Canadiens d’origine chinoise envoyés en mission secrète derrière les lignes japonaises en Asie.
    • Des vignettes uniques pour célébrer l’Aïd, Diwali, Hanoukka et Noël.

    Individuellement, chaque timbre raconte une riche histoire. Ensemble, ils brossent le tableau de ce qui rend le Canada unique. Le Comité consultatif sur les timbres-poste, qui travaille de façon indépendante, recommande les sujets du programme annuel, en s’appuyant sur la contribution réfléchie de groupes et de particuliers pour choisir des histoires et des thèmes importants qui reflètent les valeurs de la population canadienne.

 

New APS Tech Director

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
APS Welcomes New Director of Technology and Innovation

The APS is pleased to welcome its new Director of Technology and Innovation, Stephanie Katz. Stephanie is an interdisciplinary thinker and strategist with 15 years of experience managing digital projects, developing data analytics dashboards, and leading website search engine optimization (SEO) initiatives. Her career spans roles with the federal government, museums and cultural organizations, and a marketing agency serving Fortune 500 clients. Most recently, she worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Atmospheric Protection, where she led Microsoft 365 tool implementation and analytics efforts. Her contributions were recognized with multiple agency awards for driving impact, improving team efficiency, and leading the adoption of modernization efforts.

“We’re very excited for Stephanie to join us,” said Executive Director Kirk Gillis. “Her strong analytical skills and proven experience in digital strategy, SEO, and project management will be crucial as we embark on a comprehensive digital transformation of the APS.”

As a Fulbright Predoctoral Research Scholar, Stephanie supported a digital transformation initiative at Spain’s Prado Museum, one of the most visited museums in the world. Earlier in her career, she spent several years working internationally in South America as an educator and bilingual interpreter. She also served as an instructional designer for the University of Queensland’s satellite campus in northern Chile.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College, a Master of Science in Arts Administration, Museum Leadership, and Marketing from Drexel University, and a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. She is currently a volunteer with the U.S. Digital Response and contributes her time to several mission-driven organizations in her local community.

Welcome aboard, Stephanie!

USPS Announces 2026 Shipping Services Stamps

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
2026 Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express Stamps Announced
First-day-of-issue dates and locations through March 2026 also revealed

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced the Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express stamps it will release in 2026. There will be additional stamp subjects to be announced in the coming weeks and months. These designs are preliminary and may change.

Crab Nebula (Priority Mail)
This new Priority Mail stamp celebrates America’s continued exploration of deep space with a breathtaking image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. One of the most frequently observed celestial bodies, the Crab Nebula is one of the brightest remnants of an exploded star in the night sky. Located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, Webb captured this new Crab Nebula image in vivid infrared detail revealing previously unseen features that contribute to our broader understanding of stellar life cycles. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using a photo courtesy of NASA. Upon favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the stamp will be denominated at the new Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope rate and an issue date will be announced. (VSC page is here)

Galaxy Pair (Priority Mail Express)
This new Priority Mail Express stamp features another astounding image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The stamp features a composite image from the Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes titled Galaxy Pair. It reveals a view of two interacting galaxies, IC 2163 and NGC 2207, located approximately 80 million light-years from Earth, offering a glimpse into the dynamic processes that shape our universe. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp, using a photo courtesy of NASA. Upon favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the stamp will be denominated at the new Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope rate and an issue date will be announced. (VSC page is here)

Galaxy Pair Priority Mail Express (U.S. 2026)

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Announced by the USPS on December 12, 2025:

This new Priority Mail Express stamp features another astounding image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The stamp features a composite image from the Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes titled Galaxy Pair. It reveals a view of two interacting galaxies, IC 2163 and NGC 2207, located approximately 80 million light-years from Earth, offering a glimpse into the dynamic processes that shape our universe. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp, using a photo courtesy of NASA. Upon favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the stamp will be denominated at the new Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope rate and an issue date will be announced.

Further information will appear below the line, with the most recent information at the top.

Updated March 6th:
Technical Specifications:

Issue: Galaxy Pair Stamp
Item Number: 129600
Denomination &
Type of Issue: $33.25 Priority Mail Express® Rate
Format: Pane of 4 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 24, 2026, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Image: Photo courtesy of NASA
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 4
Print Quantity: 400,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.4200 X 1.0850 in. / 36.0680 X 27.5590 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 1.5600 X 1.2250 in. / 39.6240 X 31.1150 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.1200 X 3.4500 in. / 104.6480 X 87.6300 mm.
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in two corners
Back: © 2025 USPS • USPS logo • Four barcodes (129600) • Plate position diagram (10) • Promotional text

Updated February 10th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 3.07″ x 1.39″

There is no Pictorial Postmark for this issue, just the FDOI “killer bars.”

Updated February 5th:
This stamp will be issued February 24 without a ceremony.

On February 24, 2026, in Kansas City, MO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the $33.25 Galaxy Pair Priority Mail Express® stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of four stamps (Item 129600). This stamp will go on sale nationwide February 24, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This new Priority Mail Express® stamp celebrates America’s continued exploration of deep space with another breathtaking image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The stamp features a composite James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) and Hubble Space Telescope image titled Galaxy Pair. This image reveals a view of two interacting galaxies, IC 2163 and NGC 2207, located approximately 80 million light-years from Earth, offering a glimpse into the dynamic processes that shape our universe. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp, using a photo courtesy of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

Item 129600, $33.25 Galaxy Pair Priority Mail Express Stamp

No automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
The first-day-of-issue postmark is a postmark notating the day a stamp is first authorized for use by the Postal Service™. Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. All requests for first-day-of-issue postmarks (Traditional or Digital Color Postmark) should be sent to the following address with the choice of Traditional or DigitalColor Postmark identified. All orders must be postmarked by June 24, 2026.

FDOI – Galaxy Pair Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

Technical details are not yet available.

Crab Nebula Priority Mail (U.S. 2026)

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Announced by the USPS on December 12, 2025:

This new Priority Mail stamp celebrates America’s continued exploration of deep space with a breathtaking image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. One of the most frequently observed celestial bodies, the Crab Nebula is one of the brightest remnants of an exploded star in the night sky. Located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, Webb captured this new Crab Nebula image in vivid infrared detail revealing previously unseen features that contribute to our broader understanding of stellar life cycles. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using a photo courtesy of NASA. Upon favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the stamp will be denominated at the new Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope rate and an issue date will be announced.

Further information will appear below the line, with the most recent information at the top.

Updated March 6th:
Technical Specifications:

Issue: Crab Nebula Stamp
Item Number: 129700
Denomination & Type of Issue: $11.95 Priority Mail® Rate
Format: Pane of 4 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 24, 2026, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Image: Photo courtesy of NASA
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 4
Print Quantity: 1,500,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.4200 X 1.0850 in. / 36.0680 X 27.5590 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 1.5600 X 1.2250 in. / 39.6240 X 31.1150 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.1200 X 3.4500 in. / 104.6480 X 87.6300 mm.
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in two corners
Back: © 2025 USPS • USPS logo • Four barcodes (129700) • Plate position diagram (10) • Promotional text

Updated February 10th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 3.12″ x 1.39″There is no Pictorial Postmark for this issue, just the FDOI “killer bars.”

Updated February 5th:

This stamp will be issued February 24 without a ceremony.

On February 24, 2026, in Kansas City, MO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the $11.95 Crab Nebula Priority Mail® stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of four stamps (Item 129700). This stamp will go on sale nationwide February 24, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This new Priority Mail® stamp celebrates America’s continued exploration of deep space with another breathtaking image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. One of the most frequently observed celestial bodies, the Crab Nebula is one of the brightest remnants of an exploded star in the night sky. Located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, Webb captured this new Crab Nebula image in vivid infrared detail revealing previously unseen features that contribute to our broader understanding of stellar life cycles. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp using a photo courtesy of NASA (National Aeronautics Space Agency).

Item 129700, $11.95 Crab Nebula Priority Mail Pane of Four Stamps

No automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
The first-day-of-issue postmark is a postmark notating the day a stamp is first authorized for use by the Postal Service™. Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. All requests for first-day-of-issue postmarks (Traditional or Digital Color Postmark) must be sent to the following address with the choice of Traditional or Digital Color Postmark identified. All orders must be postmarked by June 24, 2026.

FDOI – Crab Nebula Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

Technical details are not yet available.

Mellone Cachet Catalogues Republished

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
AFDCS Republishes Mellone Cachet Catalogues

All 18 volumes of the Mellone’s Planty Photo Encyclopedia of Cacheted First Day Covers, encompassing issues from 1901 through 1939, are now available from the American First Day Cover Society, either as digital downloads or computer-printed unbound copies punched for looseleaf notebooks. That includes the long out-of-print Volume 17 that catalogues the Baseball Centennial issue of 1939, Scott 855.

The AFDCS obtained permission from Michael A. Mellone’s estate to reprint his important books on first day covers. Eventually, the society hopes to expand and update the listings. Already, Volumes 1 through 6 include updates that were published in First Days, the official journal of the society. The catalogues may be ordered from the AFDCS website, www.afdcs.org/catalogs.

“First day cover catalogs are essential for any collector of first day covers,” said Publications Committee chair Mick Zais. “They identify cachet makers and establish rough measures of scarcity and desirability. Providing these catalogs online is a great service that the American First Day Cover Society provides to its members and the public.”

Also available are reprints of Mellone’s Specialized Cachet Catalog of FDCs of the 1940s and the 1950s. A reprint of the 1960s catalogue should be available soon.

The cachet catalogues by Prof. Earl Planty first appeared in the 1970s, but Mellone’s FDC Publishing Co. was responsible for refining and expanding the concept and making the books available to a wider audience. The knowledge contained in these books revolutionized first day cover collecting, allowing philatelists to know what they had and what they didn’t have.

The AFDCS is the largest not-for-profit first day cover society in the world, with members in more than half a dozen countries. It publishes its award-winning journal, First Days, six times a year, as well as original handbooks, catalogues and YouTube videos, and is a co-sponsor of the annual Great American Stamp Show. It holds an annual cachetmaking contest and encourages philatelic exhibiting and writing about FDCs.

The AFDCS Publications Committee —Zais, Education Department chair Michael Lake, Tris Fall, Doug George and Pat Morgan —is working on reprints of other FDC Publishing works. The AFDCS also offers catalogues for specific issues, ranging from the 1969 Moon Landing stamp (Sc. C76) to Cats and Elvis.

There are lower prices for AFDCS members. Membership begins at $24 a year. The different options are listed at www.afdcs.org/Join-AFDCS

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

Victoria-Era Stamps (UK 2025)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Revives Classic Stamps of the Victorian Era — with a Unique Additional Feature

  • Issue date: 27 November. This is the final issue of 2025.
  • The set brings together eight classic stamps issued during the reign of Queen Victoria
  • For the first time in the modern stamp programme, this set includes a unique feature: a watermark image printed on the reverse of each stamp, echoing the original security design from when they were first issued
  • The stamps and a range of collectible products are available from today (20 November) at www.royalmail.com/queenvictoria and by telephone on 03457 641641

Royal Mail has unveiled a set of stamps that pay tribute to some of the most iconic designs in British postal history.

From the groundbreaking Penny Black of 1840, the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, to later classics such as the Penny Red, Penny Lilac, and the elegant 4d ‘Jubilee’ of 1887, the collection charts the evolution of British philately during Queen Victoria’s reign, which transformed communication forever. Each stamp features her unmistakable profile, a constant presence throughout more than six decades on the throne.
The main set includes eight 1st Class stamps:

  • Penny Black (1840)
  • Twopenny Blue (1841), 6d embossed (1854) and 4d first letterpress (1855)
  • 1s small letters (1862) and Penny Red (1864)
  • Penny Lilac (1881) and 4d ‘Jubilee’ (1887)

Together, these stamps tell the story of a period defined by progress, invention and a monarch whose image became synonymous with the very act of sending a letter.

For the first time in the modern stamp programme, this set includes a unique feature: a watermark image printed on the reverse of each stamp, echoing the original anti-forgery design from when they were first issued. Each watermark corresponds to the era in which the original Victorian stamp was issued.

Accompanying the main set is a miniature sheet containing four stamps inspired by Queen Victoria’s personal passion for photography. Featuring four evocative portraits of the monarch, they offer an intimate glimpse of the life and image of a queen whose likeness became emblematic of an empire.

The photographs shown in each of these stamps show Queen Victoria at different stages of her reign — from a young queen in the 1850s to the dignified matriarch of empire in her later years. Alongside the stamps sits a striking portrait of Victoria, framed in a decorative border that reflects the artistry of the age.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “Each of these stamps is a miniature masterpiece. Taken together, they tell the story of a communication revolution. By revisiting these iconic designs, we honour the enduring legacy of Queen Victoria, the origins of the modern postal service, and the timeless elegance of British stamps.”

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/queenvictoria and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 12 stamps is priced at £21.30. The stamps go on general sale from 27 November.

In addition to the usual philatelic products, this issue includes a prestige booklet, three different coin covers (the gold one, shown here, is £4,160, or US$5,461), and a press sheet.
The watermarks: