The design of the 2021-22 stamp will not be released until the date of issue. However, a version was in the USPS Postal Bulletin:Updated August 2nd:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:
RW88, and RW88A for the souvenir sheet of 1

Updated June 20th:
Here is the first-day cancel:It measures 3.3″ x 1.1″

Updated June 3 from the Postal Bulletin:
On June 25, 2021, in Spanish Fort, AL, the U.S. Department of the Interior will issue the $25 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp for the 2021–2022 waterfowl hunting season. The pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) stamp will go on sale nationwide June 25, 2021, and is valid through June 30, 2022.

No distribution at all of Item 336600, 2021–2022 $25.00 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, PSA Pane of 20. It will only be available through Stamp Fulfillment Services and Amplex Corporation.

Technical Specifications (pane of 1):

Issue: Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp
Item Number: 336500
Denomination &Type of Issue: $25.00, Special
Format: Pane of 1 (1 design)
Series: Federal Duck
Issue Date & City: June 25, 2021, Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Art Director: Suzanne Fellows, FWS
Artist: Richard Clifton
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Flexographic, Offset, Microprint “FWS”
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 1
Print Quantity: 2,406,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Invisible Fluorescent
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.762 x 1.289 in./44.755 x 32.741 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.89 x 1.417 in./48.006 x 35.992 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.125 x 2.625 in./155.575 x 66.675 mm
Plate Size: 36 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: N/A
Marginal Markings:
Front: Selvage Text: 2021–2022 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service • Celebrate Our Waterfowl and Hunting Heritage • informative text • Artist: Richard Clifton, Lesser Scaup© • If applicable, sign your stamp.
Back: Verso-text • Ordering information • Barcode • U.S. Department of the Interior logo • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service logo

Technical Specifications (pane of 20):

Issue: Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp
Item Number: 336600
Denomination & Type of Issue: $25.00, Special
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Federal Duck
Issue Date & City: June 25, 2021, Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Art Director: Suzanne Fellows, FWS
Artist: Richard Clifton
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Flexographic, Offset, Microprint “FWS”
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 60,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Invisible Fluorescent
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.762 x 1.289 in./44.755 x 32.741 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.89 x 1.417 in./48.006 x 35.992 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 8.25 x 8.25 in./209.55 x 209.55 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Selvage Text: “Artist: Richard Clifton” (4 positions) • “Department of the Interior 20 x $25.00” (2 positions) • Silhouetted Image of duck printed in Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Invisible Fluorescent (2 positions) • Plate number (4 positions)
Back: Verso-text behind each stamp • Barcodes (4 positions)Updated May 20th:
The Fish & Wildlife Service tells The Virtual Stamp Club the stamp will be issued Friday, June 25th, with a first-day city of Spanish Fort, Alabama. A first-day ceremony may or may not be held; plans are still “fluid.”

From earlier:

[press release; no picture available]
Delaware Artist Richard Clifton Wins 2020 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest
Federal Duck Stamp Supports Wildlife Conservation

After two days of competition, Richard Clifton of Milford, Delaware, emerged as the winner of the 2020 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest with his painting of a single lesser scaup drake. The announcement was made via live stream at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.

Clifton’s acrylic painting will be made into the 2021-2022 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Duck Stamp”, which will go on sale in late June 2021. The Service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $25 and raises approximately $40 million in sales each year. These funds support critical conservation to protect wetland habitats in the National Wildlife Refuge System for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of people.

This year, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, chaired by U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt, approved the allocation of more than $48 million from the fund, made up partly of Duck Stamp dollars, to support the acquisition of lands from willing sellers for the Refuge System. The new areas provide additional access to the public to some of the most spectacular places available for hunting, fishing, birdwatching, hiking and other outdoor activities.

“Hunters and anglers are the backbone of American conservation, and the Duck Stamp is one of the many ways they contribute to conserving America’s waterfowl and wetlands throughout the country,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “I encourage everyone, including those who do not hunt, to buy a Duck Stamp as it makes a real impact in conserving wildlife species and wetlands habitat.”

Since it was first established in 1934, sales of the Duck Stamp to hunters, bird watchers, outdoor enthusiasts and collectors have raised more than $1 billion to conserve over six million acres of habitat for birds and other wildlife and provide countless opportunities for hunting and other wildlife-oriented recreation on our public lands.

“For more than 80 years, millions of waterfowl hunters have made a difference in protecting our nation’s birds and their habitats,” said Aurelia Skipwith, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The Trump Administration has prioritized protecting our wildlife and their habitats and provided access to some of the most spectacular places available for hunting, fishing, birdwatching, hiking and other outdoor activities.”

Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry the current Federal Duck Stamp. Many non-hunters, including birdwatchers, conservationists, stamp collectors and others also purchase the stamp in support of habitat conservation. Additionally, a current Federal Duck Stamp can be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee.

This is Clifton’s second Federal Duck Stamp Contest win. His art previously appeared on the 2007-2008 Federal Duck Stamp.

In addition to Clifton, James Hautman of Chaska, Minnesota, placed second with his acrylic painting of a flock of lesser scaup, and Joseph Hautman of Plymouth, Minnesota, took third place with his acrylic painting of a flock of lesser scaup.

This 2020 contest now has a permanent theme of “celebrating our waterfowl hunting heritage” and it will be mandatory that each entry include an appropriate waterfowl hunting scene and/or accessory. Of 138 entries submitted to this year’s competition, seven entries made it to the final round of judging. Eligible species for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Contest were the gadwall, brant, cinnamon teal, lesser scaup and red-breasted merganser. View the online gallery of the 2020 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest entries.

The judges for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Contest were: Donnie Satchell, conservation partner and artist; Jane Lawson, conservation partner and artist; Eric Morris, conservation partner; Scott Penegar, artist; and Paul Wait, conservation partner.

“The Duck Stamp is one of the most successful conservation programs ever created. I am so proud to be a part of this annual tradition that combines the best of talented artwork from around the country with habitat conservation,” said Jerome Ford, Assistant Director for the Service’s Migratory Bird Program. “As the only federally regulated and sponsored art contest, competing artists offer their time and talent to capture the beauty of waterfowl and the tradition of waterfowl hunting.”

You can contribute to conservation and America’s great outdoors tradition by buying Federal Duck Stamps at many national wildlife refuges, sporting goods stores and other retailers, through the U.S. Postal Service, or online at http://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp/buy-duck-stamp.php.

Announced on January 15th:

This new stamped card for 2021 features an illustration of a mallard drake (Anas platyrhynchos) from preexisting artwork by illustrator and designer Dugald Stermer (1936-2011). The full-body, left-facing profile was created in pencil and watercolor. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamped card.

Additional information will appear below the line, with the latest at the top

Updated July 5th:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:
UX648 36¢ postal card
UY55 (36¢+ 36¢) Mallard Duck paid reply postal card

Updated May 28th:
There is only one first-day postmark available for this issue, other than the Circular Date Stamp (CDS):No specific size is given by Cancellation Services, but the “Killer Bar” FDOI postmark usually measures about 3.25″ x by 1″. The CDS (the “dial” portion of this postmark) is about 1-inch in diameter.

Updated May 7th:
On June 1, 2021, in Fargo, ND, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Mallard Forever® stamped card priced at 40 cents (36-cent postage plus 4-cent surcharge) in one design. These stamped cards will go on sale nationwide June 1, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

The Postal Service™ issues a new stamped card for 2021 featuring an illustration of a mallard drake (Anas platyrhynchos) from pre-existing artwork by famed illustrator and designer Dugald Stermer (1936–2011). The full-body, left-facing profile was created in pencil and watercolor. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamped card.

The Mallard stamped card will be available in the following formats:

• Single-cut cards (Item 250600).
• Double-reply cards (Item 250700).
• Sheet of 40 cards (Item 250800).

No automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

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

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by October 1, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Mallard Stamped Card
Item Number: 250600
Denomination & Type of Issue: Forever Stamped Card Rate
Format: Single-cut Card
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 1, 2021, Fargo, ND 58102
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Art: Dugald Stermer
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Heidelberg Speedmaster
Print Quantity: 3,480,000 stamped cards
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: N/A
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Card Size (w x h): 5.5 x 3.5 in./139.70 x 88.90 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Plate Size: 40 cards per revolution
Plate Number: N/A
Marginal Markings: ©2021 USPS, Recycling logo

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Mallard Stamped Card
Item Number: 250700
Denomination & Type of Issue: Forever Stamped Card Rate
Format: Double-reply Card
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 1, 2021, Fargo, ND 58102
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Art: Dugald Stermer
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Heidelberg Speedmaster
Print Quantity: 50,000 Double-cut Cards
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: N/A
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Card Size (w x h): 5.5 x 7.0 in./139.70 x 177.80 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Plate Size: 20 cards per revolution
Plate Number: N/A
Marginal Markings: ©2021 USPS, Recycling logo

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Mallard Stamped Card
Item Number: 250800
Denomination & Type of Issue: Forever Stamped Card Rate
Format: Sheet of 40 Cards
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 1, 2021, Fargo, ND 58102
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Art: Dugald Stermer
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Heidelberg Speedmaster
Print Quantity: 1,000 sheets of 40 cards
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: N/A
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Card Size (w x h): 5.5 x 3.5 in./139.70 x 88.90 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Plate Size: 40 cards per revolution
Plate Number: N/A
Marginal Markings: ©2021 USPS, Recycling logo

Updated April 30th:
In reply to an inquiry from The Virtual Stamp Club, the USPS says this will be issued as a single card, a double reply card, and in sheets of 40.

Updated March 17th:
This postcard will be issued June 1. The first day city is Fargo, ND, but no ceremony will be held.

Announced on January 15th:

Celebrating tap dancing as a uniquely American contribution to world dance, these five stamps feature photographs of different tap dancers performing against brightly colored backgrounds that highlight their form and movement. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps with photographs by Matthew Murphy.

These stamps will be issued July 10th with a ceremony in New York City. The issue date had previously been reported as July 8th. 

Additional information will appear below the line, with the latest at the top

Updated August 2nd:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:

5609 Max Pollak (buff “TAP”)
a. Imperforate
5610 Michela Marino Lerman (rose “TAP”)
a. Imperforate
5611 Derick Grant (greenish blue “TAP”)
a. Imperforate
5612 Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards (light blue “TAP”)
a. Imperforate
5613 Ayodele Casel (bister “TAP”)
a. Imperforate
b. Horiz. strip of 5, #5609-5613
c. Imperforate horiz. strip of 5, #5609a-5613a

Updated June 17th:
Here are the postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.69″ x 1.25″ The B&W Pictorial Postmark measures 2.74″ x 1.31″

Updated June 3rd from the Postal Bulletin:
On July 10, 2021, in New York, NY, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Tap Dance stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in five designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 480900). These stamps will go on sale nationwide July 10, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Tap Dance commemorative pane of 20 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.

With these stamps, the Postal Service™ celebrates tap dancing as a uniquely American contribution to world dance. The five stamps each feature a photograph of a different tap dancer performing his or her craft against a brightly colored background that highlights the dancer’s form and movement. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps with photographs by Matthew Murphy.

No automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

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

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by November 10, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Tap Dance Stamps
Item Number: 480900
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (5 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 10, 2021, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Photographer: Matthew Murphy, New York, NY
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 18,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Custom Spot Grey
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in. / 21.336 x 36.068 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in. / 24.892 x 39.624 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 8.35 in. / 150.368 x 212.09 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 11.84 x 25.30 in. / 300.736 x 642.62 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by four (4) single digits in two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: TAP • Plate number in bottom two corners
©2021 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (480900) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Updated February 20th:
As reported below by VSC member Arthur von Reyn, “An article by Lisa Traiger in the February 18, 2021 issue of Dance Magazine indicates these stamps will be issued July 8, 2021, during the New York City Tap Festival.” You can read the article here.

Late Change

The first-day ceremony has been moved. See the June 17th entry below.

Announced on January 15th:

These 10 new stamps in a pane of 20 highlight stunning images of the sun that celebrate the science behind the ongoing exploration of our nearest star. The striking colors do not represent the actual colors of the sun as perceived by human eyesight. Instead, each image is colorized by NASA according to different wavelengths that reveal or highlight specific features of the sun’s activity. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps with digital images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, a spacecraft launched in February 2010 to keep constant watch on the sun from geosynchronous orbit over the craft’s ground station in New Mexico.

Additional information will appear below the line, with the latest at the top

Updated August 2nd:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:

5598 Coronal Hole
a. Imperforate
5599 Coronal Loops
a. Imperforate
5600 Solar Flare
a. Imperforate
5601 Active Sun
a. Imperforate
5602 Plasma Blast
a. Imperforate
5603 Coronal Loops, diff.
a. Imperforate
5604 Sunspots
a. Imperforate
5605 Plasma Blast, diff.
a. Imperforate
5606 Solar Flare, diff.
a. Imperforate
5607 Coronal Hole, diff.
a. Imperforate
b. Block of 10, #5598-5607
c. Imperforate block of 10, #5598a-5607a

Updated June 17th:
The Sun Science stamps dedication ceremony planned for June 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 8800 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20771 has been moved due to observance of the Juneteenth Federal Holiday and the NASA facility being closed. The new location and time are:

Greenbelt Main Post Office parking lot
7600 Ora Glen Dr.
Greenbelt, MD 20770
June 18, 2021 at 11:15 a.m.

Updated May 20th from the Postal Bulletin:
On June 18, 2021 in Greenbelt, MD, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Sun Science stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in 10 designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 480800). The stamps will go on sale nationwide June 18, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

The Sun Science stamps highlight stunning images of the Sun that celebrate the science behind the ongoing exploration of our nearest star. The striking colors do not represent the actual colors of the Sun as perceived by human eyesight. Instead, each image is colorized by NASA according to different wavelengths that reveal or highlight specific features of the Sun’s activity. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps with digital images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, a spacecraft launched in February 2010 to keep a constant watch on the Sun from geosynchronous orbit over its ground station in New Mexico.

No automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

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

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by October 18, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Sun Science Stamps
Item Number: 480800
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (10 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 18, 2021, Greenbelt MD 20770
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria VA
Existing Art: NASA/Solar Dynamic Observatory
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Flexographic, Foil Stamping
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 30,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.085 x 1.085 in. / 27.559 x 27.559 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.225 in. / 31.115 x 31.115 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.12 x 6.25 in. / 180.848 x 158.750 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 21.360 x 12.500 in. / 542.544 x 317.500 mm
Plate Size: 120 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by four (4) single digits in bottom two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Sun Science • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2021 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (480800) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Also updated May 20th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.98″ x 1.47″ The pictorial postmark measures 2.75″ x 1.14″

Updated March 17th:
These stamps will be issued June 18th, rain or shine, with a first-day city of Greenbelt, MD.

Announced on January 15th:

The art of Emilio Sanchez (1921-1999) is celebrated with four new stamps featuring his colorful architectural lithographs and paintings: “Los Toldos”(1973), “Ty’s Place” (1976), “En el Souk” (1972) and Untitled (Ventanita entreabierta) (1981). Sanchez explored the effects of light and shadow to emphasize the abstract geometry of his subjects. His artwork encompasses his Cuban heritage as well as his long life in New York City. Antonio Alcalá served as art director and designer for this pane of 20 stamps.

Additional information will appear below the line, with the latest at the top. The full-pane design is at the bottom of this page.

Updated July 5th:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:
5594 Los Toldos
a. Imperforate
5595 Ty’s Place
a. Imperforate
5596 En el Souk
a. Imperforate
5597 Untitled (Ventanita Entreabierta)
a. Imperforate
b. Horiz. or vert. strip of 4, #5594-5597
c. Imperforate horiz. or vert. strip of 4, #5594a-5597a

Updated May 20th from the Postal Bulletin:
On June 10, 2021, in Miami, FL, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Emilio Sanchez stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 480600). The stamps will go on sale nationwide June 10, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Emilio Sanchez commemorative pane of 20 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.The Postal Service™ celebrates artist Emilio Sanchez (1921–1999) with four new stamps featuring four of his colorful architectural lithographs and paintings:

• Los Toldos (1973),
• Ty‘s Place (1976),
• En el Souk (1972), and
• Untitled (Ventanita entreabierta) (1981).

The selvage features a photograph of Sanchez taken by Alexis Rodriguez-Duarte in June 1993. In the photograph, Sanchez sketches at the drawing table in his New York City loft studio. Sanchez explored the effects of light and shadow to emphasize the abstract geometry of his subjects. His artwork encompasses his Cuban heritage as well as his long life in New York City. Antonio Alcalá served as art director and designer for this pane of 20 stamps.

No automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

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

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by October 10, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Emilio Sanchez Stamps
Item Number: 480600
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 10, 2021, Miami, FL 33152
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria VA
Artist: Emilio Sanchez
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 18,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS Cool Grey 6C
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 1.085 in. / 36.068 x 27.559 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 1.225 in. / 39.624 x 31.115 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 8.625 x 7.12 in. / 219.075 x 180.848 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 26.125 x 21.610 in. / 663.575 x 548.894 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by five (5) single digits in two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: EMILIO SANCHEZ 1921-1999 • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2021 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (480600) • Plate position diagram (9) • Promotional text

Also updated May 20th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.81″ x 1.42″

There is no pictorial postmark for this issue. The 4-bar FIRST DAY OF ISSUE postmark will be available.

Updated May 18th:
[press release]
Legacy of Acclaimed International Artist Emilio Sanchez Celebrated on U.S. Postal Service Commemorative Forever Stamp

What: The U.S. Postal Service will honor Emilio Sanchez on the anniversary of his 100th birthday with four commemorative Forever stamps featuring his colorful architectural lithographs and paintings.

News of the Emilio Sanchez Forever stamps is being shared with the hashtag #ArtistEmilioSanchezStamps.

Who: The Honorable Roman Martinez IV, vice chairman, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors

Erik Stapper, trustee, Emilio Sanchez Foundation

Elizabeth Goizueta, author and lecturer, Romance languages and literature, adjunct curator, McMullen Museum of Art, Boston College

Victor Deupi, senior lecturer, University of Miami, School of Architecture

Jeffrey Duerk, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, University of Miami

Richard Blanco, 2013 presidential inaugural poet for President Barack Obama, memoirist and associate professor, Florida International University

When: Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 11 a.m. EDT

Where: LnS Gallery
2610 SW 28th Lane
Miami, FL 33133

Background: With these stamps, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the art of Emilio Sanchez (1921-1999). Best known for his architectural paintings and lithographs, Sanchez explored the effects of light and shadow to emphasize the abstract geometry of his subjects. His artwork encompasses his Cuban heritage as well as his long life in New York City.

Combining naturalism and abstraction, Sanchez’s architectural paintings and lithographs are not precise renderings but rather subjective interpretations of reality. Each work often depicts a single building. All extraneous details have been stripped away, although sometimes he highlights a specific feature, such as a balustrade, arched doorway or balcony. Strong light and deep shadows play across each building’s facade, delineating and emphasizing its abstract geometry without ever obscuring its true character.

Today, Sanchez’s work can be found in permanent collections around the world, where it inspires new generations of artists to look anew at the endless variation of shapes and shadows created by architectural forms.

Antonio Alcalá served as art director and designer for the Emilio Sanchez Forever stamps, which are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Postal Products: Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling (844) 737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Updated March 17th:
These stamps will be issued June 10th with a first-day city of Miami.

Announced on January 15th:

The 33rd stamp in the Literary Arts series honors Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018), who expanded the scope of literature through novels and short stories that increased critical and popular appreciation of science fiction and fantasy. The stamp features a portrait of Le Guin based on a 2006 photograph. The background shows a scene from her landmark 1969 novel “The Left Hand of Darkness,” in which an envoy from Earth named Genly Ai escapes from a prison camp across the wintry planet of Gethen with Estraven, a disgraced Gethenian politician. The artist for this stamp was Donato Giancola. The art director was Antonio Alcalá. The words “three ounce” on this stamp indicate its usage value. Like a Forever stamp, this stamp will always be valid for the value printed on it.

This stamp will be issued July 27th with a ceremony in Portland, Oregon. The Scott catalogue number is 5619.

Additional information will appear below the line, with the latest at the top

Updated June 28th: Ceremony Details
[press release]
New Stamp Highlights Acclaimed Author Ursula K. Le Guin
U.S. Postal Service’s Literary Arts Series Celebrates Author for Writings ‘Ahead of Their Time’

WHAT: The U.S. Postal Service honors the cross-genre writings of Ursula K. Le Guin, the acclaimed science fiction and fantasy author, with the 33rd stamp in its literary series.

News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #UrsulaKLeGuinstamp.

WHO: Joseph Corbett, chief financial officer and executive vice president, U.S. Postal Service

India Downes-Le Guin, granddaughter of Ursula K. Le Guin

WHEN: Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at 11 a.m. PT

WHERE:
Evan H. Roberts Sculpture Mall
Portland Art Museum
1119 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR 97205

[Interestingly, no mention of the first day ceremony is on the Museum’s website yet. —VSC]

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/ursulakleguinstamp

BACKGROUND: Born on Oct. 21, 1929, in Berkeley, CA, Ursula Kroeber Le Guin began exploring the potential of science fiction and fantasy through writing in the early 1960s. In 1966, she published her first novel, “Rocannon’s World,” which intertwined elements of fantasy and science fiction. It inspired two sequels that established a setting for many later novels and stories.

Educated at Radcliffe College, and after receiving a master’s degree from Columbia University, Le Guin also explored gender identity through “The Left Hand of Darkness.” This ground-breaking novel follows a human ambassador to an icebound planet — where the inhabitants had no fixed gender. The book, which won the Hugo and Nebula awards in science fiction and fantasy, is often praised as the novel that permanently raised the literary expectations for science fiction.

Updated June 17th from the Postal Bulletin:
Here are the postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.54″ x 1.45″The “special” postmark for other post offices to use after the first-day measures 2.74″ x 1.15″

Updated June 17th from the Postal Bulletin:
On July 27, 2021, in Portland, OR, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Ursula K. Le Guin stamp (Non-denominated priced at the 3-ounce rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 121400). This stamp will go on sale nationwide July 27, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

The 33rd stamp in the Literary Arts series honors Ursula K. Le Guin (1929–2018), who expanded the scope of literature through novels and short stories that increased critical and popular appreciation of science fiction and fantasy. The stamp features a portrait of Le Guin based on a 2006 photograph. The background shows a scene from her landmark 1969 novel The Left Hand of Darkness, in which an envoy from Earth named Genly Ai escapes from a prison camp across the wintry planet of Gethen with Estraven, a disgraced Gethenian politician. The artist for this stamp was Donato Giancola. The art director was Antonio Alcalá. The words “THREE OUNCE” on this stamp indicate its usage value. Like a Forever® stamp, this stamp will always be valid for the rate printed on it.

No automatic distribution.

Special postmark

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Ursula K. Le Guin Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by November 27, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Ursula K. Le Guin Stamp
Item Number: 121400
Denomination & Type of Issue: 3-ounce rate, Non-denominated, Mail use
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Literary Arts (33rd in a series)
Issue Date & City: July 27, 2021, Portland, OR 97208
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Donato Giancola, Brooklyn, NY
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint “USPS”
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 10,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 0.84 in. / 36.068 x 21.336 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.98 in. / 39.624 x 24.892 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.24 x 5.92 in. / 183.896 x 150.368 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by four (4) single digits in two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Literary Arts – 33rd in a series • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2021 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (121400) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Updated January 17th:
The official Ursula K. Le Guin Twitter account announced the stamp, garnering much reaction from her fans. You can follow the discussion here. The message was retweeted by DisCon III, the 79th World Science Fiction convention, which will be held in Washington, DC, August 25-29.

Announced on January 15th:

Honoring Yogi Berra (1925-2015), this stamp salutes one of the best and most celebrated baseball players of his era, winning a record 10 World Series with the New York Yankees. The stamp art is an original digital portrait of Berra dressed in his Yankees cap, pinstripes and catcher’s chest protector. Considered the best catcher in the American League in the 1950s, he was also a feared hitter, and in 1972 was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Antonio Alcalá was the art director and stamp designer. Charles Chaisson was the artist. The “Yogi Berra” lettering was created by Michael Doret.

Additional information will appear below the line, with the latest at the top

Updated August 2nd:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:
5608 for the regular stamp and 5608a for the imperforate variety.

Updated June 17th:
Here are the postmarks for this issue:

The Digital Color Postmark for this issue measures 2.99″ x 1.32″ The pictorial postmark for this issue measures 2.73″ x 1.26″ The “special” postmark, which other cities may use, but not on the first day, measures 2.84″ x 1.17″

Updated June 17th from the Postal Bulletin:
On June 24, 2021, in Little Falls, NJ, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Yogi Berra stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 480300). This stamp will go on sale nationwide June 24, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.
This stamp honors Yogi Berra (1925-2015), one of the best and most celebrated Major League Baseball™ players of his era, winning a record 10 World Series™ with the New York Yankees™. The stamp art is an original digital portrait of Berra dressed in his Yankees cap, pinstripes, and catcher’s chest protector.
Considered the best catcher in the American League™ in the 1950s, he was also a feared hitter, and in 1972 was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Antonio Alcalá was the project art director and stamp designer. Charles Chaisson was the artist. The lettering for “Yogi Berra” was designed and created by Michael Doret.

No automatic distribution.

Special Dedication Postmarks

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

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

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by October 24, 2021.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Yogi Berra Stamp
Item Number: 480300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 24, 2021, Little Falls, NJ 07424
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Charles Chaisson, New York, NY
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Flexographic, Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 25,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Blue PMS 2135, Blue PMS 2767, Blue PMS 7681
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in. / 21.336 x 36.068 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in. / 24.892 x 39.624 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 7.75 in. / 150.368 x 196.85 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 23.25 x 11.84 in. / 590.55 X 300.736 mm
Plate Size: 120 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by seven (7) single digits in bottom two corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Major League Baseball™ All-Star • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2021 USPS • USPS logo • 2 barcodes (480300) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text • MLB info

Updated May 12th:
[ceremony details]
All-Star Baseball Player Yogi Berra Celebrated on Forever Stamp

WHAT: The U.S. Postal Service will honor Hall of Famer Yogi Berra with a commemorative Forever stamp.

News of the stamp is being shared with hashtags #YogiBerraStamp and #BaseballStamps.

WHO: The Honorable Ron A. Bloom, Chairman, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors

Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General and CEO, U.S. Postal Service

Bob Costas, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster

WHEN: Thursday, June 24, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. EDT

WHERE: The First Day of Issue stamp event will be held at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center, 8 Yogi Berra Drive, Little Falls, NJ 07424.

For more information, visit usps.com/yogiberra. [This page includes registration for the first-day ceremony.]

A pictorial postmark of the First Day of Issue location in Little Falls, NJ, is available at usps.com/stamps.

BACKGROUND: Beloved by fans across the country, Yogi Berra (1925-2015) was one of the best Major League Baseball players of his era. Berra won a record 10 World Series with the New York Yankees and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

During his career, Berra won three AL MVP awards and was an 18-time MLB All- Star. Considered the best catcher in the American League in the 1950s, he was also a feared hitter, averaging better than .300 four times — finishing with a .285 lifetime average — knocking in 100 runs five times and hitting 358 home runs.

Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with original art by Charles Chaisson. The artist first sketched the image with graphite and pastel oil pencils. He then scanned the image and finished the portrait digitally by applying layers of color to add highlights and detail. Michael Doret designed and created the lettering for “Yogi Berra” in blue script under the image of the player.

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

Updated March 17th:
This stamp will be issued June 24th, with a first-day city of Little Falls, NJ, where the Yogi Berra Museum is located. Berra was a longtime resident of neighboring Montclair.