8 AFDCS-Sponsored Boston 2026 Postmarks

Posted on May 14, 2026 by VSC

Updated May 28^th:
These postmarks may be ordered for 60 days from their dates (30 + 30):

AFDCS Station
Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 Northeast Underground Drive Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144

[press release]
AFDCS Sponsors 8 Postmarks for Boston 2026:
One Pictorial for Each Day

In addition to the daily “theme” postmarks provided by the U.S. Postal Service and the various first-day cancels, the American First Day Cover Society has announced eight AFDCS Station postmarks that will be available to collectors at the Boston 2026 World Expo show.

AFDCS Membership chair Trevor Bills led the effort for the postmarks. The special days of the show, to be commemorated both by the USPS and the AFDCS cancels, are:

- May 23 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Day
- May 24 Favorite Stamp Day
- May 25 Stamp Collectors Day
- May 26 Letter Writing Day
- May 27 International Peace Day
- May 28 Sports Day
- May 29 Honoring Heroes Day
- May 30 Youth and Family Day

Each postmark should be available at the USPS Cancellations Booth at the show starting on its date and then for the rest of the show. Each design measures 1.50- by 2.50 inches.

The AFDCS is also producing and selling the Official Souvenir Show Covers [link to that story], one for each day of the show, with cachets (designs) by professional philatelic artist Chris Calle. These will be available at the AFDCS Booth, Tables 18-20, in the Americas Pavilion.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. In addition to holding an annual Cachetmaking Contest, the AFDCS also publishes its award-winning bimonthly magazine First Days, handbooks and catalogues, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It also offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show. However, its annual Americover convention will be held in 2026 in conjunction with the BALPEX stamp show, August 7-9, near BWI Airport in Maryland.

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.

U.S. Flag (U.S. 2026)

Posted on May 14, 2026 by VSC

With a design similar to the center stamp in the American Icons pane being issued on the same day, this stamp will be offered in panes and booklets of 20, and coils of 100, 3,000 and 10,000. A tip of the hat to VSC member “Marshall,”

“The Flag Mail Use stamp is a separate Flag issue, in sheet, booklet, and coil formats, without the “American Icons” words.”

And for comparison, here are the two designs:And for those who collect coil stamps…Photo courtesy the U.S. Postal Service.

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

Updated July 15^th:
Technical Specifications:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 130100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 9, 2026, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Ralph Lauren Corporation
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 40,000,000
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7300 x 0.8400 in. / 18.5420 x 21.3360 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.8700 x 0.9800 in. / 22.0980 x 24.8920 mm.
Pane Size (w x h): 5.3000 x 4.8800 in. / 135.3820 x 123.9520 mm.
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Plate Size: 320 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners
Back: © 2026 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (130100) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 741100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Coil of 100 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 9, 2026, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Ralph Lauren Corporation
Modeler: Daryl DeMont
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 650,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7300 x 0.8400 in. / 18.5420 x21.3360 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.8710 x 0.9800 in. / 22.1230 x24.8920 mm.
Plate Size: 744 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 31st stamp below stamp image

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 763200
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Coil of 10,000 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 9, 2026, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Ralph Lauren Corporation
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 10,000
Print Quantity: 90,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7300 x 0.8400 in. / 18.5420 x 21.3360 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.8700 x 0.9800 in. / 22.0980 x 24.8920 mm.
Plate Size: 540 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 27th stamp below stamp image

Item Number: 752400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Coil of 3,000 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 9, 2026, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Ralph Lauren Corporation
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 3,000
Print Quantity: 12,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7300 x 0.8400 in. / 18.5420 x
21.3360 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.8700 x 0.9800 in. / 22.0980 x
24.8920 mm.
Plate Size: 540 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 27th stamp below stamp image

Item Number: 741100
Denomination &
Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Coil of 100 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 9, 2026, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Ralph Lauren Corporation
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 650,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7300 x 0.8400 in. / 18.5420 x21.3360 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.8700 x 0.9800 in. / 22.0980 x24.8920 mm.
Plate Size: 744 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Coil Number Frequency:: Plate number every 31st stamp below stamp image

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 686000
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Double-Sided Booklet of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 9, 2026, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Ralph Lauren Corporation
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 300,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7300 x 0.8400 in. / 18.5420 x21.3360 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.8700 x 0.9800 in. / 22.0980 x24.8920 mm.
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.5200 x 1.9600 in. / 140.2080 x49.7840 mm.
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Plate Size: 960 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header: “U.S. FLAG”, Twenty First-Class™ Forever® Stamps • © 2026 USPS in peel strip area • Barcode • USPS logo • Promotional text • Plate number in peel strip area

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamp
Item Number: 686000
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Double-Sided Booklet of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 9, 2026, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Ralph Lauren Corporation
Modeler: Daryl DeMont
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 300,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.7300 x 0.8400 in. / 18.5420 x 21.3360 mm.
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.8700 x 0.9800 in. / 22.0980 x 24.8920 mm.
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.5200 x 1.9600 in. / 140.2080 x49.7840 mm.
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Plate Size: 1040 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header: “U.S. FLAG”, Twenty First-Class™ Forever® Stamps • © 2026 USPS in peel strip area • Barcode • USPS logo • Promotional text • Plate number in peel strip area

Updated June 10^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.96″ x 1.44″There is no pictorial postmark for this issue, just the FDOI “Killer Bars.”

Updated May 28^th from the Postal Bulletin:
On June 9, 2026, in New York. NY, the United States Postal Service® will issue the U.S. Flag stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 130100), a PSA double-sided booklet of 20 stamps (Item 686000), a PSA coil of 100 stamps (Item 741100), a PSA coil of 3,000 stamps (Item 752400), and a PSA coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 763200). This stamp will go on sale nationwide June 9, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

The Postal Service™ continues its long tradition of honoring the U.S. flag as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. The photograph on this 2026 stamp, a knit interpretation of a 13-star flag, is from an iconic sweater introduced by Polo Ralph Lauren in 1989. The knit flag is also featured on the 2026 American Icons pane, an issuance curated for the Postal Service by Ralph Lauren. Beneath the flag on this mail use stamp are America’s anniversary dates: 1776 and 2026, both in red, with a golden, five-pointed star between them. USPS art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp using a photograph from the Ralph Lauren Corporation.

No automatic distribution.

130100 Pane of 20 Stamps
686000 Booklet of 20 Stamps
741100 Coil of 100 Stamps
752400 Coil of 3,000 Stamps
763200 Coil of 10,000 Stamps

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 October 9, 2026.

FDOI – U.S. Flag Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

The Technical Specifications are not yet available.

American Icons (U.S. 2026)

Posted on May 12, 2026 by VSC

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service to Honor Nation’s 250th Anniversary
With American Icons Stamps Curated by Ralph Lauren

NEW YORK — The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced it will honor the nation’s 250th anniversary with the release of American Icons, a collection of 13 commemorative stamps, curated by legendary American designer Ralph Lauren.

The pane celebrates shared national values and the enduring spirit that has defined the American experience for 2 1/2 centuries.

This marks the first time the Postal Service has invited an individual to curate a complete official USPS stamp issuance.

For nearly 60 years, Ralph Lauren has influenced American style with his enduring creative vision that is deeply rooted in the tapestry of American heritage, landscapes, cultures and artistry. A 2025 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Lauren is a profound testament to the boundless possibilities of creativity, determination and the American dream. Born in 1939 in the Bronx NY, Mr. Lauren began his remarkable journey by selling his first line of neckties from a single drawer in the Empire State Building and subsequently built one of the most iconic global lifestyle brands in the world. Throughout his life, he has been dedicated to protecting America’s cultural traditions, most notably through his commitment to preserve and conserve the 1813 flag that inspired the nation’s national anthem and became the national symbol — “The Star-Spangled Banner” — for generations to come.

The American Icons stamp collection features 13 photographs selected from Ralph Lauren’s archive and from visuals that have inspired him and that reflect the unique fabric of the nation, representing freedom, independence, equality, opportunity and the pursuit of happiness. The designs include:

- The American Flag, our standard for freedom, resilience, unity, and bravery.
- The Baseball Glove, used by Jackie Robinson is an enduring symbol of equality, teamwork, and perseverance.
- The Pickup Truck, worn and weathered, evokes the honesty of hard work.
- The Faithful dog, always steadfast in loyalty and trust.
- The Empire State Building stands tall as a landmark of possibility and ingenuity.
- The Barn, forever a metaphor for utility, purpose, and community.
- The Diné (Navajo) Blanket, woven by Naiomi Glasses, celebrates the beauty of traditional artistry.
- The Teddy Bear represents compassion, kindness, and comfort.
- The Lighthouse shines as a beacon of guidance, hope, and optimism.
- The Hamburger, a centerpiece of the American family cookout and the celebrations that unite us.
- The Racing Sailboat captures the passionate energy of competition.
- The Horses, running wild, embody the spirit of independence and the freedom we all strive for.

The 12 stamps each include the “American Icons” title and “FOREVER” and “USA” in white text in the upper left or upper right corners. In the center of the stamp pane, surrounded by blue denim and framed by the other 12 stamps, a 13th stamp shows a knit flag designed by Ralph Lauren with text that reads “1776 to 2026.” The text at the top of the selvage reads “American Icons CURATED BY RALPH LAUREN” and the bottom row reads “Celebrating 250 Years of the United States of America.”

The American Icons stamps will be issued in panes of 13. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

The 2026 Mail Use Stamp
Inspired by the artistry of the American Icons collection, the 2026 U.S. Flag Mail Use Stamp will feature a detailed photograph of a knitted interpretation of the U.S. flag taken from Ralph Lauren’s iconic Flag Sweater. One of the most enduring and widely used stamps in the U.S. postal system, it will be available in panes, booklets and coils in a smaller, definitive format for widespread mail use.

News about the stamps is being shared on social media using the hashtag #AmericanIconsStamps.These stamps will be available at most Post Offices, usps.com/shopstamps, or by calling 844.737.7826.

A First Look: USPS Stamp Unveiling
The dedication ceremony will take place Tuesday, June 9, at 11 a.m. Eastern at the iconic James A. Farley Post Office Building, 421 Eighth Ave., New York. Elvin Mercado, the Postal Service’s chief retail and delivery officer, will serve as the dedicating official; attendees are encouraged to register atusps.com/americaniconsstamps.

“The Postal Service and the United States share a 250-year legacy rooted in binding the nation,” said Sheila Holman, USPS vice president of marketing. “We are honored to have legendary American designer Ralph Lauren curate the American Icons stamps. His remarkable visual archive beautifully captures the aspirational spirit and shared values that have united Americans since before our nation’s founding.”

American Icons Commemorative Capsule Collection
In celebration of the issuance, a licensed commemorative capsule collection will debut on June 9 at select Ralph Lauren retail stores globally, on RalphLauren.com. The capsule includes the 2026 U.S. Flag stamp reimagined as Ralph Lauren’s iconic American Flag Sweater, a classic Polo Shirt and a Ball Cap.

About Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of luxury lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, handbags, footwear & accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For nearly 60 years, Ralph Lauren has sought to inspire the dream of a better life through authenticity and timeless style. Its reputation and distinctive image have been developed across a wide range of products, brands, distribution channels and international markets. The Company’s brand names — which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Double RL, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children and Chaps, among others — constitute one of the world’s most widely recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, visit ralphlauren.com

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

Updated July 31^st:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:
6106 Icons
a. American Flag
b. Baseball Glove
c. The Teddy Bear
d. The Pickup Truck
e. The Faithful dog
f. The Empire State Building
g. The Barn
h. The Racing Sailboat
i. The Diné (Navajo) Blanket
j. The Lighthouse
k. The Hamburger
l. The Horses
m. Flag on sweater

Updated June 10^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.41″ x 1.20″The Pictorial Postmark also measures 2.41″ x 1.20″.

Updated May 28^th from the Postal Bulletin:

On June 9, 2026, in New York, NY, the United States Postal Service® will issue the American Icons stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in 13 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 13 stamps (Item 582400). These stamps will go on sale nationwide June 9, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The American Icons commemorative pane of 13 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.

As we come together to celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation, the U.S. Postal Service presents a pane of 13 commemorative stamps curated by American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Selected from his own unparalleled archive and from visuals that have inspired him, the images Ralph Lauren chose for the stamps embody our shared values and reflect the unique fabric of our nation: a U.S. flag in a rural setting, a baseball glove worn by Jackie Robinson, a teddy bear, a pickup truck, a dog, the Empire State Building, a barn, a sailboat, a Diné (Navajo) blanket, a lighthouse, a hamburger, wild horses, and a knit U.S. flag. Text on the back of the stamp pane highlights the significance of each image. Greg Breeding served as USPS art director for this issuance.

Automatic distribution, special postmark for local use.

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

Technical Specifications:

Issue: American Icons Stamps
Item Number: 582400
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Pane of 13 (13 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 9, 2026, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Curated by: Ralph Lauren
Existing Photo: Matt Albiani
Existing Photo: Valentina Cantera
Existing Photo: Gilles de Chabaneix
Existing Photo: Miguel Flores-Vianna
Existing Photo: Naiomi Glasses
Existing Photo: Tim Holmes
Existing Photo: Kurt Markus
Existing Photo: Scott Rudin
Existing Photos: Carter Berg
Existing Photos: Mary Randolph Carter
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 13
Print Quantity: 23,010,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: PMS 871 C, PMS 289 C, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation (1): Vertical
Image Area (1) (w x h): 1.0850 x 1.4200 in. / 27.5590 x 36.0680 mm.
Overall Size (1) (w x h): 1.2250 x 1.5600 in. / 31.1150 x 39.6240 mm.
Stamp Orientation (2): Square
Image Area (2) (w x h): 1.6800 x 1.6800 in. / 42.6720 x 42.6720 mm.
Overall Size (2) (w x h): 1.8200 x 1.8200 in. / 46.2280 x 46.2280 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.8200 x 9.7800 in. / 198.6280 x248.4120 mm.
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 19.6850 x 23.7100 in. / 499.9990 x 602.2340 mm.
Plate Size: 78 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: American Icons • CURATED BY RALPH LAUREN • Celebrating 250 Years of the United States of America • Plate number in bottom two corners of pane
Back: Descriptive text identifying the 12 stamps surrounding the center flag • © 2026 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (582400) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Updated May 14^th, 2026:
Just adding a neat photo from the USPS:

Updated May 12^th, 2026:
Although the center stamp is referred to as a “mail use stamp,” the USPS confirms to The VSC that all the stamps on the pane are valid for postage or mail use. Also, the “unveiling” is the first-day ceremony.

Interactive Lego Display at Boston 2026

Posted on May 12, 2026 by VSC

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
NELUG LEGO User Group to Present Large Interactive Display at Boston 2026 World Expo

BOSTON, MA — Visitors to the Boston 2026 World Expo will find a unique intersection of philately and brick building when the New England LEGO Users Group (NELUG) presents a major LEGO display during the international stamp exhibition.

NELUG will occupy an exhibition space of nearly 4,000 square feet, creating one of the largest themed displays on the show floor. The area will feature a wide range of custom LEGO models and interactive elements designed to celebrate both mail and creativity.

Among the highlights will be postal-themed LEGO creations, including builds inspired by post offices, mail transportation and the history of postal communication. A special section will also showcase LEGO as it appears on postage stamps from around the world, highlighting how the iconic brick has been celebrated in philately by numerous postal administrations.

A centerpiece of the display will be a large Boston skyline mosaic built entirely from LEGO bricks, paying tribute to the host city of the exhibition.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on community mosaic build during the entire show. Attendees will help assemble two large collaborative mosaics: one depicting the Boston 2026 World Expo stamp, and another featuring the 2026 United States Happy Birthday stamp design. Participants will be invited to place bricks that gradually bring these images to life over the course of the weekend.

Additional activities are planned throughout the LEGO display area. A special commemorative postcard created for the exhibit will be distributed to visitors, and collectors will be able to visit a brick-themed handstamp station, where the postcard can be postmarked as a souvenir of the event.

NELUG was established in 1999 to create a community for adult fans to share their passion for all things LEGO related. NELUG provides members the opportunity to meet and build camaraderie through online interactions, virtual and in-person meetings, and events. Members share knowledge and resources, build innovative creations both collectively and individually, and engage with the public during events such as community builds, museum displays, and conventions. https://www.nelug.org/

Support for the exhibit is being provided Boston 2026 with coordination by Scott Stamp LLC, publisher of the Scott catalogs, Linn’s Stamp News and Scott Stamp Monthly.

The Boston 2026 World Expo, an international philatelic exhibition sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP), will take place May 23–30, 2026, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

LEGO is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this exhibit or the New England LEGO Users Group.

Scott Catalog U.S. Update (May 2026)

Posted on May 1, 2026 by VSC

6062 Blue Chevrolet Impala
6063 Orange Chevrolet Impala
6064 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
6065 Chevrolet Fleetline
6066 Red Chevrolet Impala

6067 Sunflowers

6068 Figures of American Revolution
a. Abigail Adams
b. John Adams
c. Abwalongdongwas
d. James Armistead
e. Cornplanter
f. John Dickinson
g. Benjamin Franlin
h. Elizabeth Freeman
i. Bernardo de Galvez
j. Nathaniel Greene
k. Alexander Hamilton
l. Lemuel Haynes
m. Patrick Henry
n. John Jay
o. Thomas Jefferson
p. Thaddeus Kosciuszko
q. Marquis de Lafayette
r. James Madison
s. Thomas Payne
t. Esther de Berdt Reed
u. Paul Revere
v. Deborah Sampson
w. Baron von Steuben
x. Mercy Otis Warren
y. George Washington

Barbie (US 2026)

Posted on May 1, 2026 by VSC

This issue was announced on May 1, 2026:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Barbie To Be Celebrated With New Stamps
Stamp set to be released at collectors convention this summer

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced a new release coming this summer: a set of Barbie stamps featuring Barbie dolls through the years, dressed for 10 iconic careers.

These designs are preliminary and may change.

Barbie
Created by Mattel Inc., a global play and family entertainment company, and introduced in 1959 as “The Original Teenage Fashion Model,” Barbie quickly became an icon and symbol of limitless possibilities for generations of children. During more than 65 years as a staple of imaginative childhood play, the best-selling doll of all time has represented more than 250 careers.

From surgeon to astronaut, paleontologist to soccer player, sign language teacher to music star, Barbie fans can dream big and explore a huge range of possibilities.

Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, collaborated with Mattel on the design of the stamps and pane. To best showcase the dolls and their career attire, the stamps employ a rarely used format, a third taller than the usual vertical commemorative stamp. Kessler says the team approached the project “with a spirit of fun,” using bright, energetic shades — predominantly the famous “Barbie Pink” — to evoke a feeling of joy.

Barbie commemorative stamps will be released on July 11, during the 2026 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention in Austin, TX. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated July 15^th:
Technical Specifications:

Issue: Barbie Stamps
Item Number: 582500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Pane of 10 (10 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 11, 2026, Austin, TX, 78710
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Photos: Mattel
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 10
Print Quantity: 30,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.8042 x 1.9210 in. / 20.4267 x 48.7934 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 0.9500 x 2.0379 in. / 24.1300 x 51.7627 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 8.5000 x 5.9000 in. / 215.9000 x 149.8600 mm.
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 11.8000 x 17.0000 in. / 299.7200 x 431.8000 mm.
Plate Size: 40 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Barbie® • Descriptive Text • You can be anything™ • Plate number in bottom two corners of pane
Back: © 2026 Mattel • All Rights Reserved • “BARBIE®” and associated trademanrks and trade dress are owned by and used with permission of Mattel, Inc. • © 2026 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (582500) • Plate position diagram (4) • Promotional text

Updated June 10^th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.65″ x 1.28″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.48″ x 1.22″The Special (local) postmark measures 2.18″ x 0.95″

Updated June 5^th:
[ceremony details] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Barbie Stamps Set for Release
At Collectors Convention This Summer

What: In 1959, a doll introduced as “The Original Teenage Fashion Model” — Barbie — stepped into the marketplace and quickly became an icon and symbol of limitless possibilities. As the 1985 advertising jingle proclaimed, “We girls can do anything!” The Postal Service will honor that world of possibilities with 10 new stamps featuring Barbie dressed to portray 10 different careers.

The first-day-of-issue interactive event for the Barbie commemorative stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #BarbieStamps.

When: July 11, 10 a.m. Central

Where:
2026 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention
Hilton Austin
500 E. Fourth St.
Austin, TX 78701

RSVP: Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/barbiestamps.

Background: Created by Mattel Inc., a global play and family entertainment company, Barbie is the best-selling doll of all time and a symbol of limitless possibilities for generations of children.

The new Barbie stamps will be issued in panes of 20. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

VSC Note: We did not find a mention of these stamps anywhere on the website of the convention, including the daily calendar. The stamps will be issued on the last day of the convention.

Updated May 28^th from the Postal Bulletin:

On July 11, 2026, in Austin, TX, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Barbie stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in 10 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 10 stamps (Item 582500). These stamps will go on sale nationwide July 11, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Barbie commemorative pane of 10 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.

This pane of 10 Forever® stamps features Barbie®, the best-selling doll of all time, dressed to portray 10 different careers. In 65-plus years as a staple of imaginative childhood play, Barbie has represented more than 250 careers, encouraging generations of fans to dream big and explore a world of possibilities. Each stamp spotlights a photograph of an outfit worn by an era-appropriate Barbie doll with the apparel’s release date. USPS art director Ethel Kessler collaborated with Mattel on the design of the stamps and pane, using photography provided by Mattel.

Automatic distribution. Special dedication postmark available

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

Technical Specifications not yet available

Garfield Comic (Netherlands 2026)

Posted on April 29, 2026 by VSC

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Garfield

PostNL issued the Garfield frame stamps on April 27, 2026. Frame stamps are issued alongside the official program and designed based on a fixed layout, with a fixed number of stamps per sheet. Each of these 5 stamps features a different portrait of Garfield.

Simultaneously with the Garfield frame stamps, PostNL released the Garfield gold stamp. This stamp, featuring 24-karat gold, shows a standing portrait of Garfield that does not appear on the frame stamps.

Garfield is a character from the comic series of the same name. He is a lazy, fat, orange cat who lives with his ‘owner’ Jon Arbuckle and the always cheerful, but very stupid dog Odie. Garfield is constantly looking for food, with a strong preference for lasagna and a strong aversion to healthy food. Jon regularly forces him to go on a diet. He is too lazy to hunt mice. At night, he likes to give noisy performances on the fence that are not appreciated by the neighbors, sleeps a lot, is sarcastic and headstrong, destroys the neighbor’s garden, and bullies the dog and Jon. Another running gag in the comic is his strong dislike of Mondays.

Over the years, Garfield became increasingly human. He even started walking upright, and was therefore fitted with larger feet. The cat also became smarter than his owner Jon, who originally played the lead role in the comic. Their roles reversed. Garfield cannot speak – his lines are in so-called ‘thought bubbles’ – but over time, the comic showed that he can write and use computers, telephones, and tools.

The creator, writer, and illustrator of Garfield is the American Jim Davis (1945). He named the comic cat after his grandfather, who in turn was named after the 20th president of the United States. Davis spent his childhood on a small cattle ranch in Indiana where about 25 cats also lived.

Popularity
The comic strip first appeared via a comic syndicate in a number of American local newspapers in 1978 and was already being printed in 850 newspapers worldwide by 1981. Davis then founded the company Paws Inc., in which he placed the rights. In 2004, the strip appeared in no fewer than 2,600 newspapers, and in that peak year, merchandise generated a billion dollars worldwide.

In the Netherlands, the strip appeared in De Telegraaf from November 1980 to January 2021. Comic books, films, television specials, and video games have been produced starring Garfield, and an endless series of consumer goods and clothing items bearing his likeness have been created. Davis sold Paws Inc. to Nickelodeon (part of Paramount Global) in 2019. He still produces the strip himself, with the help of 20 assistants.

Stamp designer Frank Janse received assistance from his intern Alec Versluis in designing the framed stamps, which is why Versluis is also listed on the stamp sheet. Certain elements of the framed stamps are fixed, such as the format, the lettering of the value indication and ‘Netherlands’, and the sorting hook. In this case, Janse was also bound by the lettering of the texts ‘Garfield’, ‘Nickelodeon’, and the text inside the speech bubbles in the comic drawings. Paws Inc., the company that manages the rights to Garfield, is part of Nickelodeon. Therefore, both company names appear on the sheet. The background colors of the drawings are also fixed by the rights; there was a choice of 10 colors.

Janse had a wide selection of Garfield drawings to choose from. ‘The character Garfield has a number of traits, including some less desirable ones such as arrogance, destructiveness, and cynicism. I chose to use cheerful drawings for the 5 framed stamps, so that each one creates a likeable image in its own right. His love for lasagna and his striving to take as many naps as possible are featured. His favorite stuffed animal is also on it. For example, a drawing in which he scratches something to pieces with his nails didn’t make the cut; it didn’t work well on a standalone image.’

For the gold stamp, Janse chose a drawing in which Garfield poses somewhat jauntily and full of self-confidence. On the packaging of this stamp, he leans back and waves.

Janse has given the sheet of framed stamps as much of a comic strip look as possible. ‘It must be clearly recognizable that it concerns a comic character.’ That is why the design is tightly framed and nothing runs off the sheet. The 5 stamps are arranged in a row like in a comic strip, with the serrated edge as a border. Garfield is taking a nap above, but remains entirely within the frame of the space above the stamps.

From various options, Janse chose the quote ‘Mornings would be better if they started later’. It fits with the sleeping Garfield at the top, and Garfield’s naps also reappear on the second stamp, which features the letter Z used in comics to indicate that the character is sleeping.

Technical Specifications (Frame Stamps):

Issue date April 27, 2026
Format: 1 sheet with 5 different stamps
Edition: 10,000
Stamp size: 30 x 40 mm (wxh) with serrated edge
Country of issue: Netherlands
Value indication: 1 for mail up to and including 20 grams with a destination within the Netherlands
Article number: 860030
Design: Frank Janse, Leene Communicatie, Gouda/The Hague with the collaboration of Alec Versluis (intern)
Illustrations: by Jim Davis for Paws Inc./ Nickelodeon
Colors: Colors CMYK + phosphor
Paper: standard with phosphor print, gummed
Printer: Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé, Haarlem
Retail price: € 7 (currently USD $8.21) per sheet with five different stamps

Technical Specifications (Gold Stamp):

Issue date April 27, 2026
Format: 1 stamp with 24-karat gold
Edition: 1000
Stamp size: 30 x 40 mm (wxh) with serrated edge
Country of issue: Netherlands
Value indication: 1 for mail up to and including 20 grams with a destination within the Netherlands
Article number: 860031
Design: Frank Janse, Leene Communicatie, Gouda/The Hague
Illustrations Illustrations by Jim Davis for Paws Inc./ Nickelodeon
Colors: CMYK
Retail price: € 50 (currently USD$58.67), including luxury packaging and certificate of authenticity

Note: PostNL does not sell directly to collectors in North America. Its website refers to a company called Nordfirm, which says it sells Dutch new issues at face value. The Virtual Stamp Club has no connection to this company.

Collectors may also wish to contact the U.S. firm Bombay Stamps, which can also obtain first day covers upon request, with lower shipping fees. The email is sales@bombaystamps.com Again, The Virtual Stamp Club has no connection to this company.

Boston 2026 Announces Official Show Covers

Posted on April 29, 2026 by VSC

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Official Boston 2026 Cachets

Award-winning artist and stamp designer Chris Calle has produced the show’s official set of eight cachets on behalf of Boston 2026 World Expo. He has done so for many prior U.S. national and international shows.

A cachet design has been created for each day’s pictorial postmark theme. For example, on Day 1’s 250th anniversary release, Thomas Jefferson’s face is superimposed over the 13-star flag and Declaration of Independence. The Day 6 Sports Day cachet [shown here] features a soccer play about ready to kick the ball against an oil paint swirl of colors.

Unserviced cachets are $2 each, while serviced covers are $5 using the daily stamp issue and related theme postmark. A complete set of eight is $30. All serviced covers will be numbered in a limited edition of 400 each.

The cachets are being sold in collaboration with the American First Day Cover Society at Society booths 18, 19 and 20 in the Americas Pavilion. Calle will be available daily for autographing these show covers and other postage stamps and philatelic items he has designed over the decades. All options are also offered online for pre-sale mail ordering now and may be viewed exclusively on the AFDCS Marketplace web site at www.afdcs.org/Newly-Added, which also has the society’s complete line of covers for sale. Mail orders (check payable to AFDCS) may be sent to AFDCS Sales, Box 44, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0044. Covers will be sent after June 1.

Coins To Play a Part in Boston 2026

Posted on April 28, 2026 by VSC

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Coins Meet Stamps at Boston 2026 World Expo

The American Numismatic Association has confirmed their participation in Boston 2026 World Expo by hosting a booth and organizing a Scouting coin collecting merit badge workshop during the show.

Founded in 1891, the ANA and its membership of 25,000 collectors is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its web domain name says it all, money.org, being dedicated to the study, collection, and appreciation of coins, paper currency, and other forms of numismatic items.

The word “stamp” is missing from the Expo’s title. That was intentional early on. While stamps and philately is the show’s primary focus, Boston 2026 is broadening its appeal by welcoming a number of related collectibles on display, in competition, and on sale by dealers. Ephemera and deltiology are just two among them. Coins and banknotes are natural additions to this list, as many collectors delve into multiple areas of interest.

Per Christian Strayhorn, ANA Education Director, “The collaboration’s goal is to share the love of collecting. Whether stamps, or coins, or something else, the collecting community shares a passion for ‘the hunt.’ We saw the Expo as an opportunity to educate philatelists on numismatics, while encouraging cross-over collecting.”

The Scouting coin collecting merit badge workshop is scheduled for May 23 (Saturday) from 2 to 4 PM. The session is limited to 30 youngsters. Those interested may apply by using this link on the Boston 2026 Youth web page https://forms.gle/pcuroZ5pGMVSboJRA and select the coin option. Three stamp collecting workshops are scheduled the following days.