NYC-Area Swapfest in November?

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Received in email:

As a member of the Collectors Club Board of Governors, I am coordinating an in-person event to be held sometime in November (exact date to be determined). Receipt of this message means that you are listed as the contact person for one or more philatelic clubs or organizations in the Tri-State area.

The event will be held on a Saturday. Its purpose is to gather collectors who are interested in selling, trading, or gifting excess material from their collections. We will set up tables for people to examine material, and the Club will provide refreshments.

Many of us enjoyed such engagements at traditional stamp clubs when we were young, and I suspect that some of you are involved in local clubs that do the same today. This is an opportunity to meet new people and make friends, enjoy an afternoon at the Club (and possibly a dinner afterwards), and potentially dispose of and acquire some nice material.

If all goes well, we’ll plan to have periodic “garage sales.”

Please pass this message along to members of your club/group and have them send me an email if they are interested. I’ll build a database of potential attendees and, once the details are determined, the Club will send a blast email to all members as well as non-members who express interest.

I’m available for questions and hope to receive lots of interest. Thank you,

Daniel Ryterband, danryterband@gmail.com

Ecological Importance of Wolves in Canada

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
New stamps highlight the ecological importance of wolves in Canada
Stamps feature striking, close-up images of wolves found in different parts of the Canadian wilderness

WHITNEY, Ont. – Canada Post issued on August 13 new stamps highlighting the role wolves play as a keystone species.

Wolves contribute significantly to the health and biodiversity of the ecosystem. The intelligent hunters are often associated with the North and remote Canadian landscapes, and they also figure prominently in many Indigenous cultures.

These social animals use co-operative hunting and share responsibility for raising their young – a behaviour seen in only a small percentage of mammals. With sharp senses that help them detect prey almost two kilometres away, wolves hunt small and large animals, including caribou, deer, elk, moose, bison and evenmuskoxen.

Stamps feature wolves in different regions of the country
The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is the largest and most widespread wolf in Canada, found everywhere except the Maritimes.

Only slightly bigger than an eastern coyote, the eastern wolf (Canis sp. cf. Lycaon) is a federally listed species at risk that lives mainly in Algonquin Provincial Park in central Ontario and in southwestern Quebec. It has an estimated population of 200 to 1,000 mature wolves.

The Arctic grey wolf (Canis lupus arctos) is a nomadic hunter well adapted to the northern climate, while the coastal grey wolf (Canis lupus crassodon) is a strong swimmer that lives along Canada’s Pacific coast and near-shore islands.

About the stamps
Each stamp presents a close-up view of wolves in Canadian landscapes. The booklet cover and interior contain additional photographs of coastal grey wolves on Vancouver Island. The stamps are designed by Andrew Perro, featuring photography by Michelle Valberg (Canis lupus crassodon), John E. Marriott (Canis lupus, Ejaz Khan (Canis lupus arctos), Michael Runtz and Steve Dunsford (Canis sp. Cf. lycaon). This issue is printed by Lowe-Martin and includes a booklet of eight Permanent™ domestic rate stamps, an Official First Day Cover (OFDC), a souvenir sheet and four postage-paid postcards that can be sent worldwide. The location of the cancellation mark on the OFDC is Whitney, Ontario, near the east gate of Algonquin Provincial Park. [The OFDC and postcards are shown below.]

Stamps and collectibles are now available at canadapost.ca and at select postal outlets across Canada.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
De nouveaux timbres mettent en vedette les loups au Canada et leur importance pour l’environnement
Les timbres présentent des images saisissantes en gros plan de loups vivant dans différentes étendues sauvages canadiennes.

WHITNEY, Ont. – Postes Canada a émis de nouveaux timbres qui mettent en vedette une espèce clé : les loups.

Les loups contribuent de façon importante à la santé et à la biodiversité de l’écosystème. Chasseurs intelligents souvent associés au Nord et aux vastes étendues sauvages du Canada, ces animaux occupent également une place prépondérante dans de nombreuses cultures autochtones.

Animal social, le loup coopère de façon organisée pour chasser et élever ses petits, un comportement observé chez seulement un faible pourcentage de mammifères. Grâce à ses sens aiguisés qui lui permettent de repérer les proies à près de 2 km de distance, le loup chasse de petits et de grands animaux, y compris le caribou, le cerf, le wapiti, l’orignal, le bison et même le bœuf musqué.

Des timbres qui présentent des loups dans différentes régions du pays
Le loup gris (Canis lupus, le plus grand et le plus répandu au Canada, se retrouve partout sauf dans les Maritimes.

À peine plus gros qu’un coyote de l’Est, le loup de l’Est (Canis sp. cf. lycaon) est inscrit sur la liste fédérale des espèces en péril et vit principalement dans le parc provincial Algonquin dans le centre de l’Ontario ainsi que dans le sud-ouest du Québec. On estime sa population à entre 200 et 1 000 individus adultes.

Le loup gris de l’Arctique (Canis lupus arctos est un chasseur nomade bien adapté au climat nordique, tandis que le loup gris côtier (Canis lupus crassodon) est un bon nageur qui vit sur la côte canadienne du Pacifique et ses îles côtières.

À propos des timbres
Chaque timbre présente une image en gros plan de loups dans des paysages canadiens. La couverture et l’intérieur du carnet comportent des photos supplémentaires de loups gris côtiers sur l’île de Vancouver. Les timbres ont été conçus par Andrew Perro à partir de photos de Michelle Valberg (Canis lupus crassodon), de John E. Marriott (Canis lupus, d’Ejaz Khan (Canis lupus arctos, de Michael Runtz et de Steve Dunsford (Canis sp. cf. lycaon). Imprimée par Lowe-Martin, cette émission comprend un carnet de huit timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur, un pli Premier Jour officiel, un bloc-feuillet et quatre cartes postales port payé. Le lieu d’oblitération est Whitney (Ontario), près de la porte est du parc provincial Algonquin.

Les timbres et les articles de collection sont en vente sur postescanada.ca et dans certains comptoirs postaux partout au pays à partir d’aujourd’hui.

The Official First Day Cover:

The postpaid picture postcards:

Linn’s Returns To Print

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Linn’s Stamp News Returns to Weekly Print Publication Beginning October 5
Scott Stamp LLC announces the return of America’s premier philatelic newspaper during National Stamp Collecting Month

TROY, Ohio — August 2026 — Scott Stamp LLC announced today that Linn’s Stamp News will return to weekly print publication beginning with the October 5, 2026, issue, marking one year since the company acquired the Linn’s and Scott brands and launching a new era for the publication during National Stamp Collecting Month.

The return to print follows a hiatus that began in August 2024 and represents a significant milestone for one of philately’s most recognized publications.

“Linn’s has long been the newspaper of record for the stamp hobby,” said Jay Bigalke, President and CEO of Scott Stamp LLC. “When we acquired the publication one year ago, our goal wasn’t simply to preserve its legacy—it was to restore and strengthen it for future generations of collectors. Returning to print is an important step in fulfilling that commitment.”

“One of the number one questions I’ve been asked constantly, like everywhere, is ‘When are you bring Linn’s back into print?'” Bigalke told The Virtual Stamp Club. “I think it’s more meaningful for people when they get a print issue delivered to their mailbox and I think this will really make a big impact on the hobby.”

“It wasn’t just the collectors that were asking for it,” Bigalke adds, “the advertisers were really asking for it, because they saw a drop in sales” when the newspaper went digital-only.

Since acquiring the Scott and Linn’s brands in October 2025, Scott Stamp LLC has focused on rebuilding the company’s publishing operations while continuing uninterrupted publication of Scott Stamp Monthly and releasing the 2027 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, including the return of larger stamp illustrations throughout the six-volume set.

The October 5 print relaunch coincides with the beginning of National Stamp Collecting Month and reflects the company’s continuing investment in serving collectors through trusted editorial coverage, hobby news, market reporting, expert columns, and worldwide new issue information.

Founding Subscriber Offer
To commemorate the return of Linn’s to print, Scott Stamp LLC is introducing a special Founding Subscriber offer.

Collectors may reserve one year of weekly print delivery for $99, beginning with the October 5, 2026, issue.

The first 2,500 print subscribers will receive a numbered Commemorative Founding Subscriber Certificate, recognizing their support in helping return Linn’s Stamp News to print.

Reservations may be made at Linns.com.

A Community Achievement
The return of Linn’s to print has been made possible through the confidence of collectors, advertisers, dealers, auction firms, and the broader philatelic community.
“We are grateful to every reader who continued supporting our publications and to every advertiser who believed in this vision,” Bigalke said. “Their confidence has made it possible to once again place Linn’s in collectors’ mailboxes each week.”

Scott Stamp LLC also encourages collectors to support the advertisers featured in Linn’s Stamp News. Their investment in the publication helps sustain independent philatelic journalism and strengthens the hobby as a whole.

About Linn’s Stamp News
Founded in 1928, Linn’s Stamp News has served generations of collectors with timely reporting, expert editorial coverage, market analysis, new issue reporting, auction news, and hobby features. The publication returns to weekly print publication beginning with the October 5, 2026, issue while continuing to expand its digital offerings.

About Scott Stamp LLC
Scott Stamp LLC is a collector-owned publishing company dedicated exclusively to philately. The company publishes the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers, Scott Stamp Monthly, Linn’s Stamp News, and other books and resources serving stamp collectors around the world.

Volunteeers Needed for Americover @ BALPEX

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[press release]

The planning and preparation are nearly done, but we need people to help out during the show, which is being held August 7-9 at the BWI Airport Marriott in Maryland. Specific “volunteer opportunities” are:

  • AFDCS Promotion/FDC Information (2-hour shifts at the table in the bourse area)
  • AFDCS Sales (2-hour shifts at the table in the bourse)
  • Affixing Stamps to Covers (one person for each of the 3 days)
  • Hospitality Suite (one person to open, one to close each night, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, with some overlap)
  • Silent Auction Closeout (2 needed, Saturday night only, 10 pm to midnight)

The Hospitality Suite opens each evening at 8 pm and closes at midnight. Besides keeping an eye on things, the volunteer will put out additional snacks and supplies as needed. The AFDCS table will be in the foyer outside the bourse and exhibit area. The Hospitality Suite is just across the hall: No long hikes as at GASS! No need to use GPS as at some other shows!

If you are available to help — just two hours! — please email coordinator Ralph Nafziger now at nafzigerralphh@gmail.com and tell him when and for what you are available.

Bid in Americover Silent Auction From Home

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[press release]
Now you can participate — and win — in the Americover Silent Auction even if you can’t make the 2026 show, which is being held August 7-9 at the BWI Marriott (at Baltimore-Washington Airport) in conjunction with BALPEX 2026. All 105 lots can be seen online by downloading the file and submitting a bid via email.

The lots include FDCs from the 1930s to the present, and cachets ranging from typed to hand-painted. The cachetmakers represented include Dave Bennett, Kendal Bevil, Judith Fogt and many other familiar names. (Shown here is Lot #42 by Chad Green.) And the minimum bids for all of them is just $5.

Collectors “playing at home” have until Saturday August 8 at 10 p.m. Eastern time to email their bids to dalux2041@gmail.com, putting “silent auction bids” in the subject line. Multiple bids may be listed in a single email, but all bids must include the bidder’s name, address, telephone number, and, of course, the lot numbers and amounts of the bids.

The lots will be on display in the American First Day Cover Society Hospitality Suite at Americover/BALPEX, where additional bids likely will be made. The emailed bids will form the basis for the opening bids, and those in the Hospitality Suite will know what the highest at-home bids are, so if you really, really want an item, bid generously.

The Silent Auction operates differently than a traditional auction: The lots are on display, and bidders at Americover write their bids on public lists — silently. Bids are not knocked down to an increment above the next-highest bid, so the winning bids are the actual maximum amounts collectors are willing to pay. Bids must be in even-dollar amounts. (Fractional bids make no cents!)

This is the first year that at-home bidders can see scans of the lots, by downloading the PDF file. (If you prefer, the link to the file is https://tinyurl.com/mrbryya4 )

All the lots were donated to the AFDCS and all proceeds will go to help cover Americover expenses.

Sign Up for the Americover 2026 Cachetmakers Bourse

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[press release]
It will be the biggest cachetmakers bourse of the year! All day, Saturday August 8. And the new Diagonal U.S. Flag stamped envelope will be issued at the show the day before.

Americover 2026 is being held in conjunction with BALPEX 2026 at the BWI Marriott in Linthicum Heights, Maryland (Baltimore-Washington Airport).

The contract can be downloaded by clicking here. Tables are $75 each and will be set up in the foyer outside the dealer bourse. American First Day Cover Society or American Philatelic Society membership is required. Space is limited and subject to prior sale. You’ll find more details in the contract.

Cachetmakers Bourse dealers are only allowed to sell material they have made themselves.

This will be the top selling opportunity for FDC producers this year, so don’t miss out. Sign up today!

Scott Catalogue U.S. Update – July 2026

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6074-81 Route 66
6074 Munger Moss Motel
6075 Ford Model A
6076 Oil Capital Motel
6077 Grants Cafe Sign
6078 Conoco Tower Station
6079 Kan-O-Tex Gas Pump
6080 motel sign
6081 Beverly Hills City Hall

6082-86 Bald Eagle
6082 one week old
6083 four weeks old
6084 one year old
6085 two years old
6086 adult

6087-96 Treasures of the Revolutionary Era
6087 teapot
6088 Continental Currency
6089 Yorktown
6090 flag
6091 powder horn
6092 spinning wheel
6093 merit badge
6094 soldiers
6095 belt
6096 signboard

6097 Mister Rogers
6098 Mister Rogers souvenir sheet
6098a Orange Sweater
6098b with King Friday XIII
6098c with two puppets
6098d with lion puppet

6099 American Bison

6100-03 Postcrossing.
6100 diver
6101 astronaut
6102 motorcyclist
6103 cowgirl

6104 International Peace

6105 North American Soccer

Diwali (U.S. 2026)

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Announced by the USPS on June 29th:

Among the most important holidays on the Hindu calendar, the annual autumn festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Diwali is usually observed over five days; in 2026, the main day of the festival will be Nov. 8. This second Diwali stamp issued by USPS features a rangoli, a vibrant floor pattern traditionally made from materials such as colored rice powder, chalk and flower petals and believed to bring good luck. Photographed by Bijay Dixit, the rangoli was created by artist Sangita Bhutada, a native of India and longtime resident of the Houston area who has been a practitioner of this ancient folk art for nearly 30 years. The stamp was designed by Jennifer Arnold, and William J. Gicker was the art director. The Diwali stamp will be released in October.

No specific date was given.

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

Updated September 22nd:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark for this issue measures 2.73″ x 1.05″The Pictorial Postmark for this issue measures 1.72″ x 1.41″

Updated September 17th:
[ceremony details] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Celebrates Festival of Lights With New Diwali Stamp

What: The Postal Service will celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali with a new stamp. Diwali falls on the eve of, or on, the new moon that occurs between mid-October and mid-November. In 2026, the main day of the festival will be Nov. 8.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #DiwaliStamp.

Who: Shibani Gambhir, USPS sales intelligence and support vice president, will serve as the dedicating official.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET for retail sales and cancellations and 6 p.m. ET for the ceremonial first-day-of-issue unveiling and reception

Where: Embassy of India
2107 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20008

RSVP: Attendees are required to register at www.usps.com/diwalistamp.

Background: This stamp celebrates the joyous festival of Diwali — also known as Deepavali —with an image of a rangoli, a vibrant floor pattern traditionally made from materials such as colored rice powder, chalk and flower petals. One of the most important annual Hindu events and usually observed over five days, the autumn festival marks the triumph of good over evil.

People create rangolis in and around their homes during Diwali to bring good fortune. The stamp features Bijay Dixit’s photograph of a rangoli made by artist Sangita Bhutada, who has been creating rangolis for nearly 30 years. Bhutada crafted this intricate design of blue, orange, green, red and white with starch-based colored powder and colored sand. It is set against a purple background.

William J. Gicker served as the project’s art director. Jennifer Arnold designed the stamp, which will be sold in panes of 20.

The Diwali stamp will be issued as a Forever stamp and will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

From the Postal Bulletin:
On October 21, 2026, in Washington, DC, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Diwali stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 582900). This stamp will go on sale nationwide October 21, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This stamp celebrates the joyous festival of Diwali—also known as Deepavali—with an image of a rangoli, a vibrant floor pattern traditionally made from materials such as colored rice powder, chalk, and flower petals. One of the most important annual Hindu events and usually observed over 5 days, the autumn festival marks the triumph of good over evil. Rangolis are thought to bring good fortune, and people create them in and around their homes as part of their Diwali celebrations. The rangoli featured in the stamp art was made by artist Sangita Bhutada with sand and starch-based powders of blue, orange, green, red, and white. Jennifer Arnold designed the stamp using Bijay

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 February 21, 2027.

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

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Diwali Stamp
Item Number: 582900
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: October 21, 2026, Washington, DC 20066
Art Director: William Gicker, Washington, DC
Designer: Jennifer Arnold, Washington, DC
Artist: Sangita B. Bhutada, Richmond, TX
Photographer: Bijay Dixit, Houston, TX
Modeler: Daryl DeMont
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 20,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag Applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7700 x 1.0500 in. / 19.5580 x 26.6700 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 0.9100 x 1.1900 in. / 23.1140 x 30.2260 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.5500 x 5.7600 in. / 140.9700 x 146.3040 mm.
Plate Size: 320 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners
Back: © 2026 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (582900) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Updated September 16th:

This stamp will be issued October 21 in Washington, DC.

Madonna & Child (U.S. 2026)

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Announced by the USPS on June 29th:

This year’s traditional Christmas stamp features “The Virgin and Child Enthroned,” a Netherlandish painting that dates from around the year 1500 and has been attributed to an artist known only as “The Master of the Embroidered Foliage.” Scholars believe this distinctive painting, with its large central figure of Mary in red garments and an array of background details, was created in a workshop by several artists and assistants, as was common practice at the time. The painting is in the collection of the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA. The stamp was designed by Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS.

The stamp will be issued October 2 in Williamstown, MA.

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

Updated August 27th:
From the Postal Bulletin:
On October 2, 2026, in Williamstown, MA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Christmas Madonna and Child stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) double-sided booklet of 20 stamps (Item 686200). This stamp will go on sale nationwide October 2, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

To be sold in booklets of 20, this Christmas stamp features The Virgin and Child Enthroned, a Netherlandish painting that dates from around the year 1500 and was originally attributed to an unnamed artist known only as “The Master of the Embroidered Foliage.” Scholars now believe that the painting was created in a workshop by several artists and assistants, as was common practice at the time. The painting is in the collection of the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Greg Breeding served as designer and art director.

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 February 2, 2027.

FDOI – Christmas Madonna and Child Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Christmas Madonna and Child Stamp
Item Number: 686200
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-sided Booklet of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: October 2, 2026, Williamstown, MA 01267
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Art: The Master of the Embroidered Foliage
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 185,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Colors: PMS 10418 C, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7700 x 1.0500 in. / 19.5580 x 26.6700 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.9100 x 1.1900 in. / 23.1140 x 30.2260 mm..
Booklet Size (w x h): 5.7430 x 2.3750 in. / 145.8720 x 60.3250 mm.
Plate Size: 800 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header: CHRISTMAS • Madonna and Child • TWENTY FIRST-CLASS™ FOREVER® STAMPS • © 2026 USPS in peel strip area • Barcode • USPS logo • Promotional text • Plate number in peel strip area

Updated August 20th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 3.0″ x 1.5″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.74″ x 1.23″

Hanukkah (U.S. 2026)

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Announced by the USPS on June 29th

This year, the Postal Service issues its ninth Hanukkah stamp honoring the eight-day Jewish holiday observed by millions of people in the United States and around the world. The new stamp features a digital illustration of a dreidel that reflects both artist Lisa Perrin’s Jewish heritage and Eastern European folk-art traditions. “I hope that people who celebrate Hanukkah will be excited to see a new and colorful stamp for the occasion,” Perrin said. “The dreidel is used as part of a game and has a playful connotation — I hope it makes people smile!” The stamp was designed by Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS.

The stamp will be issued September 29 in New Orleans, LA.

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

Updated September 1st:
Registration for those wishing to attend the ceremony is now required.

Updated August 29th:
[ceremony details] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Postal Service Issues Commemorative Stamp Celebrating Eight-Day Jewish Holiday

What: The U.S. Postal Service is issuing its ninth Hanukkah stamp, continuing its tradition of honoring the eight-day Jewish holiday observed by millions of people in the United States and around the world.

The first-day-of-issue event for the Hanukkah stamp is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #HanukkahStamp.

Who: David Steiner, USPS postmaster general, will be the dedicating official

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 11 a.m. Central

Where: Touro Synagogue
4238 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70115

RSVP: Attendees are encouraged to register at: usps.com/Hanukkahstamp.

Background: With the release of this new stamp, the Postal Service continues its long tradition of celebrating the joyous Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which begins at sundown on Friday, Dec. 4.

Hanukkah festivities begin on the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, a date that typically falls in late November or December. Traditional celebrations include singing holiday songs and eating traditional fried foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, to commemorate the miracle of the oil.

Antonio Alcala, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with original artwork by illustrator Lisa Perrin, featuring a dark blue dreidel with rust-colored Hebrew letters set against a turquoise background. Framing the dreidel are decorative elements like flowers and foliage in light and dark orange, cream and shades of blue.

The Hanukkah stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20. This stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Updated August 27th:
From the Postal Bulletin:
On September 29, 2026, in New Orleans, LA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Hanukkah stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 582800). This stamp will go on sale nationwide September 29, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

With this new stamp, the Postal Service™ continues its long tradition of celebrating the joyous Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The centerpiece of the stamp illustration is a dark blue dreidel featuring rust-colored Hebrew letters, set against a turquoise background. Framing the dreidel are decorative elements like flowers and foliage in light and dark orange, cream, and various shades of blue. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with illustrator Lisa Perrin’s original art.

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 January 29, 2027.

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

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Hanukkah Stamp
Item Number: 582800
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: September 29, 2026, New Orleans, LA 70113
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Lisa Perrin, Baltimore, MD
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 10,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area(w x h): 0.7700 x 1.0500 in. / 19.5580 x 26.6700 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 0.9100 x 1.1900 in. / 23.1140 x 30.2260 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.5500 x 5.7600 in. / 140.9700 x 146.3040 mm.
Plate Size: 320 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in all four corners of pane
Back: © 2026 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (582800) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Updated August 20th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.92″ x 1.48″The Pictorial Postmark measures  2.72″ x 1.24″