Muhammad Ali (U.S. 2026)

From the USPS on October 29, 2025:

Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion. He challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. As a boxer, activist and humanitarian, he defied expectations to become a globally celebrated cultural icon. The stamps feature a 1974 Associated Press photo. The name “ALI,” alternating top to bottom, suggests aspects of his career: promotional posters, his legendary movement in the ring, and the chants that greeted him when he traveled the world. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps. The Muhammad Ali stamps will be issued Jan. 15 in Louisville, KY.

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


Updated March 3rd:
The Scott catalogue numbers for these stamps are 6050 (black lettering and 6051 (red lettering).

Updated January 14th:
A video from the USPS:

Updated January 8th:

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Muhammad Ali Stamps
Item Number: 487600
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Pane of 20 (2 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 15, 2026, Louisville, KY 40231
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Existing Photo: AP Images
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 22,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: PMS 4044 C, PMS 503 C, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black,
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.8400 x 1.4200 in. / 21.3360 x 36.0680 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 0.9800 x 1.5600 in. / 24.8920 x 39.6240 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 8.2500 x 7.2500 in. / 209.5500 x 184.1500 mm.
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 16.6250 x 14.6250 in. / 422.2750 x 371.4750 mm.
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Muhammad Ali 1942 – 2018 Boxer, Activist, and Humanitarian • Plate number in bottom two corners of pane
Back: ©2025 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (487600) • Plate position diagram (4) • Muhammad Ali™; Rights of Publicity and Persona Rights: Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC • Promotional text

Updated January 3rd:

ESPER president Howard Ingram says Lonnie Ali, wife of Muhammad Ali and co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center, and award-winning broadcaster and author Bob Costas will be among the speakers at the first-day ceremony.

Updated December 23rd:
On January 15, 2026, in Louisville, KY, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Muhammad Ali stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in two designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 487600). These stamps will go on sale nationwide January 15, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Muhammad Ali commemorative pane of 20 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.

Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali™ (1942–2016) was a three-time heavyweight boxing champion. In his life, he challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. Two stamps feature a cropped, black and white AP photo of him from 1974 in his boxing stance. One stamp features the photo of Ali on the top half of the stamp with the name ALI written in dark brown letters below it. “THE GREATEST” runs up the right side of the “I.” On the second stamp, his photo is featured on the bottom half with ALI in red letters above it. Again, “THE GREATEST” runs up the right side of the “I.” The stamps are designed in a checkerboard configuration on the pane. The selvage shows a black and white 1976 AP photo of him in a pinstripe suit, representing his role as a humanitarian. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps and pane.

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 store.usps.com/store/home. 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 – Muhammad Ali 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 May 15, 2026.

Technical Specifications are not yet available.

Updated December 15th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.91″ x 1.44″The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.48″ x 1.06″ The Special postmark for use by other cities measures 2.44″ x 0.93″

[ceremony information] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Honors Muhammad Ali With Forever Stamps
He was a champion in the ring and for humanity causes

What: The U.S. Postal Service will honor Muhammad Ali, known as “The Greatest,” with two stamps. Ali once said, “I should be a postage stamp, because that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.” Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, KY, Ali was known across the globe as a champion in and beyond the boxing ring.

The first-day-of-issue event for the Muhammad Ali Forever stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag#MuhammadAliStamps.

Who: The Honorable Ronald A. Stroman, member of the USPS Board of Governors-

When: Thursday, Jan.15, 2026, at noon EST

Where:
University of Louisville
L & N Federal Credit Union Stadium
Angel’s Envy Bourbon Club
2550 S Floyd St.
Louisville, KY 40208

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

Background: Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was a three-time heavyweight boxing champion. In his life, he challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. At a time when African Americans fought to have a voice, he spoke loud and clear about his beliefs, defying expectations and empowering people around the world on his way to becoming a globally celebrated cultural icon.
Ali’s influence extended far beyond the ring. He used his platform to stand for peace, faith and justice, emerging as a global symbol of courage and compassion. His humanitarian work spanned continents — supporting medical relief, feeding the hungry and speaking up for those in need. In 1998, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and in 2005, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. That same year, Muhammad and his wife, Lonnie, founded theMuhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville.

Muhammad Ali’s life was defined not only by his victories but by his conviction, generosity and enduring belief in the power of love and humanity. His spirit continues to inspire people everywhere, and his legacy lives on as “The Greatest.”

Customers can preorder Muhammad Ali stamps on usps.com and they will be shipped on Jan. 15, 2026.

4¢ Angel’s Trumpets (U.S. 2026)

From the USPS on October 29, 2025:

This 4-cent stamp follows the 2024 release of other low-denomination flower stamps: the 1-cent Fringed Tulip, 2-cent Daffodils, 3-cent Peonies, 5-cent Red Tulips and 10-cent Poppies and Coneflowers. Low-denomination stamps are available in panes of 20 and coils of 10,000. To create these images, photographer Harold Davis backlit the flowers on a lightbox and combined multiple photographic exposures, resulting in a luminous, transparent look. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed these stamps.

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


Updated February 3rd:
The Scott catalogue numbers for this issue are

  • 6044 sheet
  • 6045 coilUpdated January 8th:

    Technical Specifications (sheet stamp):

    Issue: Angel’s Trumpets Stamp
    Item Number: 129500
    Denomination & Type of Issue: Four-cent Denominated, Mail-use
    Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
    Series: N/A
    Issue Date & City: January 9, 2026, Kenosha, WI 53140
    Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
    Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
    Existing Photo: Harold Davis, Kenosha, WI
    Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
    Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
    Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
    Press Type: Alprinta 74
    Stamps per Pane: 20
    Print Quantity: 7,000,000 stamps
    Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
    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): 5.3300 x 4.8800 in. / 135.3820 x 123.9520 mm.
    Colors: PMS 7491 C, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
    Plate Size: 160 stamps per revolution
    Plate Number: “B” followed by five (5) single digits
    Marginal Markings:
    Front: Plate numbers in four corners of pane
    Back: © 2025 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (129500) • Plate position diagram (8) • Promotional text

    Technical Specifications (coil stamp):

    Issue: Angel’s Trumpets Stamp
    Item Number: 762900
    Denomination & Type of Issue: Four-cent Denominated, Mail-use
    Format: Coil of 10,000 (1 design)
    Series: N/A
    Issue Date & City: January 9, 2026, Kenosha, WI 53140
    Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
    Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
    Existing Photo: Harold Davis, Kenosha, WI
    Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
    Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
    Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
    Press Type: Alprinta 74
    Stamps per Coil: 10,000
    Print Quantity: 10,000,000 stamps
    Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
    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.
    Colors: PMS 7491 C, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
    Plate Size: 540 stamps per revolution
    Plate Number: “B” followed by five (5) single digits
    Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 27th stamp below stamp image

    Updated December 15th:
    There is only one first-day postmark for this issue:Updated November 29th:
    On January 9, 2026, in Kenosha, WI, the United States Postal Service® will issue the 4-cent Angel’s Trumpets denominated stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 (Item 129500) and a PSA coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 762900). This stamp will go on sale nationwide January 9, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

    In 2026, the Postal Service™ will issue the 4-cent Angel’s Trumpet, a new low-denomination definitive stamp. This stamp follows the 2024 release of other low-denomination flower stamps—the 1¢ Fringed Tulip, 2¢ Daffodils, 3¢ Peonies, 5¢ Red Tulips, and 10¢ Poppies and Coneflowers. The new stamp art features four peachy pink angel’s trumpets on a yellow-toned cream background. To create the image, the photographer backlit the flowers on a light box and combined multiple photographic exposures, resulting in a luminous, transparent look. Art director Ethel Kessler designed this stamp with an existing image by photographer Harold Davis.

    • Item 129500, Angel’s Trumpets, 4 cents, Pane of 20 Stamps
    • Item 762900, Angel’s Trumpets, 4 cents, Coil of 10,000 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. Each cover must have sufficient postage to meet First-Class Mail requirements. 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 – Angel’s Trumpets 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 May 9, 2026.

    Technical Details will appear in a future edition of the Postal Bulletin

    Updated November 5th:
    Linn’s Stamp News reports the first-day city for this stamp will be Kenosha, WI at the Midwest Stamp Dealers Association (MSDA) WI/IL Stateline Show. The release date is Friday, January 9.

Quick List: U.S. 2026

Those issues announced on October 29, 2025:

First Look: US 2026 Stamps

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Provides Sneak Peek at 2026 Stamps
Pop culture icons and symbols of America are featured

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced many of the stamps it will release in 2026.

“This early preview of our 2026 stamp program underscores the Postal Service’s commitment to celebrating the artistry and storytelling that make stamps so special,” said Lisa Bobb-Semple, the organization’s Stamp Services director. “Each stamp is a small work of art — an entryway into a larger story that connects people, places and moments in history. This year, we continue to honor that legacy with a diverse range of subjects and designs, from beloved series and commemorative anniversaries to bold new releases that will inspire and excite collectors and admirers alike.”

This is a partial list, with additional stamps to be announced in the coming weeks and months. These designs are preliminary and may change.

4-cent Angel’s Trumpets
This 4-cent stamp follows the 2024 release of other low-denomination flower stamps: the 1-cent Fringed Tulip, 2-cent Daffodils, 3-cent Peonies, 5-cent Red Tulips and 10-cent Poppies and Coneflowers. Low-denomination stamps are available in panes of 20 and coils of 10,000. To create these images, photographer Harold Davis backlit the flowers on a lightbox and combined multiple photographic exposures, resulting in a luminous, transparent look. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed these stamps.

Muhammad Ali
Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion. He challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. As a boxer, activist and humanitarian, he defied expectations to become a globally celebrated cultural icon. The stamps feature a 1974 Associated Press photo. The name “ALI,” alternating top to bottom, suggests aspects of his career: promotional posters, his legendary movement in the ring, and the chants that greeted him when he traveled the world. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps. The Muhammad Ali stamps will be issued Jan. 15 in Louisville, KY.

Love (2026)
Inspired by both mid-century American design and Japanese children’s book illustrations, James Yang created the art for this year’s Love stamps. His illustrations show pairs of stylized birds in a colorful world in which hearts appear, like love itself, in sweet and surprising ways. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps.

Colorado Statehood
In 2026, Colorado will be honored with a stamp for its 150th anniversary. Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and the awe-inspiring beauty of the Rocky Mountains, our 38th state joined the Union 100 years after the United States declared independence from the United Kingdom. The Colorado Statehood stamp features a photograph of Jagged Mountain, located in the Weminuche Wilderness area of the San Juan National Forest. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with an existing photograph by Colorado nature photographer John Fielder (1950-2023). The Colorado Statehood stamp will be issued Jan. 24 in Denver.

Black Heritage: Phillis Wheatley
The 49th Black Heritage stamp commemorates Phillis Wheatley (circa 1753-1784), the first author of African descent in the American Colonies to publish a book. As an enslaved woman with an education and prominent social connections, Wheatley occupied a unique and remarkable place in Colonial Boston, and she is often called “the mother of African American literature.” Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with a portrait of Wheatley by internationally acclaimed artist Kerry James Marshall. The Phillis Wheatley stamp will be issued Jan. 29 in Boston.

Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse
In 2026, USPS will honor the Year of the Horse with the seventh stamp in the current Lunar New Year series. Lunar New Year — also referred to as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival — is one of the most widely celebrated cultural holidays in the world. Beginning in 2020, the Postal Service introduced its latest Lunar New Year stamp series, the third in the organization’s history. This collection features paper-cut masks by artist Camille Chew depicting each of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using a photograph of the mask by Sally Andersen-Bruce. The Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse stamp will be issued Feb. 3 in Houston.

Bruce Lee
As the first Asian leading man in American film, Chinese American martial artist, actor and filmmaker Bruce Lee (1940-1973) captivated audiences with his skill, charisma and screen presence and inspired generations of fans. The stamp artwork by Kam Mak features a painting of Lee executing his iconic flying kick. It is set against what Antonio Alcalá, the art director for USPS who designed the stamp, calls “a calligraphic yellow brushstroke,” a reference to the iconic yellow tracksuit Lee wore in “Game of Death.” On the right side of the stamp, BRUCE LEE and USA FOREVER are printed vertically and angled to appear as if Lee’s kick were breaking them in half.

Harriet Powers
Quiltmaker Harriet Powers (1837-1910), who learned to sew while enslaved on a plantation near Athens, GA, stitched works that are celebrated as masterpieces of American folk art and storytelling. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps and pane using details from Powers’s 1898 “Pictorial Quilt,” with its biblical scenes and depictions of local lore.

Lowriders
Low and slow: that’s the lowrider. Outfitted with smaller-than-factory wheels, a fancy paint job and a special hydraulic system, these customized automobiles trace their roots to the 1940s-era working-class Mexican American/Chicano communities of the American Southwest. Five models grace the stamps: a blue 1946 Chevrolet Fleetline named Let the Good Times Roll/Soy Como Soy; a blue 1958 Chevrolet Impala named Eight Figures; a red 1963 Impala named El Rey; an orange 1964 Impala named the Golden Rose; and a green 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme named Pocket Change. The Gothic-style typography and the pinstriping on the stamps and pane evoke the detailed decoration that is a hallmark of the most celebrated lowrider cars. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using photographs by Philip Gordon and Humberto “Beto” Mendoza.

Sunflowers
Available in booklets of 20, this issuance offers the public an attractive stamp for mail use and pays homage to the sunflower, prized by both gardeners and pollinators as a dependable source of nectar and seeds for birds, bees and butterflies. Illustrator Nancy Stahl, who has created more than 40 stamp designs for the Postal Service, says she used as few colors as possible to enhance the brilliance of the sunflowers within the small frame of the stamp. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using Stahl’s original digital art.

A Day at the Beach
For millions of Americans, the beach is the ultimate vacation. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, says these stamps were inspired by her annual summertime trips to beaches in New England. “These little snapshots are reminiscent of those experiences — a break from busy lives and demands throughout the year,” she says. Noyes was drawn to the vitality and “fresh, bold spontaneity” that Gregory Manchess brings to the oil paintings shown on the stamps. “He captures the essence of the subject, even at a very small scale,” she says. “Greg has managed to make these scenes instantly recognizable with just the right amount of visual information.”

Figures of the American Revolution
Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, this pane pays tribute to 25 individuals whose ideas, leadership and sacrifices were vital to achieving American independence and shaping the new nation. Representing a range of roles and perspectives, from political thinkers and military leaders to writers, diplomats and everyday citizens, the honorees reflect the collective effort that defined the Revolution. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the pane, which features original artwork by 13 contemporary artists.

Route 66
With these stamps, the Postal Service celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the legendary highway that originally stretched about 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Dubbed “The Mother Road” by author John Steinbeck, Route 66 forever changed how Americans travel and became a symbol of freedom and adventure. The pane of 16 stamps includes photographs by David Schwartz from each of the eight states Route 66 passes through, with each one repeated twice. The selvage features a photo by Schwartz of the open road rolling through hills in Crookton, AZ, along the longest continuous drivable stretch of Route 66 in the state.

Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult
Since the early days of the republic, these magnificent raptors have appeared on numerous stamps. For a new take on this American icon, the Postal Service will issue a pane of stamps featuring realistic illustrations of bald eagles at different stages of life. Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using original paintings by ornithologist and illustrator David Allen Sibley. “While the bald eagle is known to virtually all Americans as our national bird, few people know much about them,” says Sibley. “Showing the series of life stages in these stamps is a simple and visual way to emphasize that the familiar adult eagle has already lived through a series of transitional plumages, finding food, migrating and surviving all of life’s challenges. I hope these stamps spark curiosity and a greater appreciation for the lives of eagles.”

American Bison
The buffalo’s epic story has played an enduring role in shaping America’s identity. Honoring our national mammal while saluting historic philately, this unique stamp features a contemporary photograph of a bison, inset with artwork evoking a 1923 stamp issued when the species was beginning to rebound from near extinction. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using Tom Murphy’s existing photograph and artwork from the century-old stamp, now printed in intaglio.

International Peace
Celebrating the goal of international peace, this stamp features a photograph of an origami crane — a global symbol of hope, peace and healing. The crane was folded by artist and Peace Crane Project founder Sue DiCicco and photographed by Sally Andersen-Bruce. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

Declaration of Independence
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Postal Service pays tribute to the document that gave voice to America’s founding ideals. Designed and created by Juan Carlos Pagan, the stamp art features a typographic treatment of “1776,” the year the declaration was adopted. Each numeral takes the shape of a feather quill pen, a nod to the instruments used to sign the nation’s founding document. Pagan worked under the direction of Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS.

Sarah Orne Jewett
The 35th stamp in the Literary Arts series honors Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909), a lifelong resident of Maine and a foundational figure in American literary regionalism. Her strong female characters have led to a renewed interest in her work, which includes hundreds of short stories as well as novels, poetry and essays. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using an original portrait of Jewett by Mark Summers, with the Maine coast as background, broken by a large ray of sunshine that evokes a scene from her best-known novel, “The Country of the Pointed Firs” (1896).

Squirrels & Chipmunks in Winter
This booklet of 20 stamps features three of winter’s most spirited small mammals: two eastern chipmunks, an eastern gray squirrel, and an American red squirrel. The designs capture the resourcefulness and adaptability that help these animals thrive when temperatures drop. From busy foragers to cozy hibernators, they remind us that winter can be full of charm. “When you see the booklet as a whole, the animals’ faces popping up from the snow has a playful effect,” explains Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS who designed the issuance. “The stamps are fun and uplifting. I hope they make people smile, especially in the heart of winter.”

Boston 2026: Importation Tariff Issues Resolved

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Importation Tariff Issues Resolved

Until this year, stamps and covers could be imported into the United States under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) 9704 free of duty. However, several months ago, new country specific tariffs came into effect. This affected philatelic material, which in turn, resulted in the global philatelic community fearing that foreign participants at the upcoming Boston 2026 World Expo would experience unacceptably high costs.

After close consultation with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over the past several weeks, the Boston 2026 Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that stamps and covers are, once again, tariff free for entry into the US. Specifically, the initial ruling letter that resulted in philatelic tariffs has now been ruled void ab initio (i.e., null from the beginning) and voided. A new ruling letter holding that philatelic material covered by HTSUS 9704 is again tariff free will be issued by the CBP in the next few weeks.

To ensure the free and smooth entry of philatelic material for the show, the show organizers have hired a customs brokerage firm, Vantage Point Services. They will provide foreign parties (i.e., dealers, auction houses, postal administrations and commissioners) importing philatelic material with the appropriate instructions and documentation for entry into the US. The customs broker offers support at multiple ports of entry, including Boston, New York, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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

Speculation: US 2026 Issues

We haven’t heard anything official from the U.S. Postal Service and, even when we do, it won’t be the complete U.S. 2026 stamp program. Still, it’s fun to try to guess what stamps will be issued.

These are pretty definite:
Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse)
Bicentennial issues
6 issues at Boston 2026, including the Encore winner

I think these are good bets, all born in 1926:
Civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy (Black Heritage Series?)
Singer Tony Bennett (died 2023)
Musician Chuck Berry

Some 1876 events that might be commemorated:
Centennial International Exhibition (1876) in Philadelphia, first official world’s fair to be held in the US. (Opened May 10; stamp or stamps at Boston 2026?)
Colorado Statehood
The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs is formed
First successful telephone call (stamp in 1976)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is published

A 1926 event that I think is a good bet for commemoration:
U.S. numbered highway system is established, including Route 66.

Less likely births in 1926:
Comedian/philanthropist Jerry Lewis
Author Harper Lee (“To Kill A Mockinbird”)
Comedian Don Rickles
Actor Andy Griffith
Mel Brooks – still living!

Less likely events from 1876:
Introduction of Heinz Tomato Ketchu
Introduction of Budweiser Beer

Less likely events from 1926:
First weather map is televised! (from one government office to another)
The 8-hour, 5-day work week is announced by Henry Ford
NBC Radio Network established (CBS isn’t founded until 1928)
Winnie the Pooh is published, but in London

Radio: Publications Disaster Averted

The Stamp Collecting Report
A radio feature by Lloyd de Vries

Download or listen to this report as an MP3 sound file.

No catalogue catastrophe.

The Stamp Collecting Report, I’m Lloyd de Vries.

That sound you may have heard at stamp shows and club meetings was a sigh of relief: Two active stamp collectors, with backing from others, have purchased Linn’s Stamp News, the Scott Stamp Monthly magazine and the Scott catalogues from Amos Media. That company will retain its coin collecting publications and its stamp and coin supplies business.

The Scott books are the bible for U.S. stamp collectors, assigning the catalogue numbers and identifying varieties. Linn’s, a weekly, was once THE source of stamp collecting news. But over the past year, the newspaper has shrunk as advertisers and columnists abandoned it. The catalogues were delayed because of problems getting them printed. Cash flow seemed to be a problem.

It took most of a year to put the deal together. Meanwhile, stamp collectors have been holding their collective breath, waiting to see if the publications would survive.

And apparently, they will. The new publishers have big plans to modernize and expand, and collectors are rejoicing.

I’m Lloyd de Vries of The Virtual Stamp Club. For more on stamps and stamp collecting, and the latest on Linn’s and the Scott catalogues, visit virtual-stamp-club-dot-com.


The Stamp Collecting Report began in 1997 as a 60-second weekly feature distributed to CBS Radio Network stations by CBS News as part of its Weekend Feature Package. Eventually, longer versions were recorded for this website and a Christian evangelical shortwave service. The Report ended its CBS run in 2017 with only six repeats in some 1,040 weeks. It is now produced solely for The Virtual Stamp Club on an occasional basis.

Go to Report Index • Return to Virtual Stamp Club Home Page

Boston 2026 Promotion Offer for Cachetmakers

The Boston 2026 team wants to see — and show — your cachets for the Boston 2026 stamps that came out in August!

It will post images of some or all of the FDCs on its social media sites. The offer is open only to AFDCS members.

If you wish to participate, send .jpg images — ideally, 1080×1080 or a vertical format — to Boston 2026 social media coordinator Julie Dennehy, dennehypr@gmail.com with this information:

Artist Name and AFDCS Member #
Cachet line name
City/State/Country:
Medium Used:
Quantity Made:
Email:
Web Site/Social Media:

As an example:

Artist Name, AFDCS Member #: Lloyd de Vries, #LM381
Cachet line name: Dragon Cards
City/State/Country: Twp of Washington, NJ, USA
Medium Used: Commercial digital press
Quantity Made: 88
Email: DragonCards@pobox.com
Web Site/Social Media: www.dragoncards.biz

And a personal tip: If you produced more than one design, I recommend you show the best or the best or the one you most want to sell!

Boston 2026: Update on U.S. Philatelic Tariffs

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Boston 2026: Update on U.S. Philatelic Tariffs

Boston 2026 has been working with various officials of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which includes U.S. Customs and Border Protection, regarding tariffs and the exhibition. Lower-level analysts specializing in collectibles up to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have been consulted, along with Republican and Democratic members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The 1994 amendment to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) states that informational materials are free of all tariffs. Our case, being presented by Mick Zais (right), former U.S. Acting Secretary of Education during the first Trump administration, is that philately is primarily an educational undertaking. Since stamps, philatelic material and exhibits are the informational media instruments furthering that pursuit, no tariff should be levied.

As a supplemental strategy, we have employed a customs broker, Vantage Point, to assist with acquiring temporary importation bonds, permitting exhibits for display purposes and other philatelic material not being sold, to enter the country under a tariff-free status. This would allow Boston 2026 commissioners and exhibitors from abroad bringing in “displays,” along with auction houses not directly selling material at the show, to enter and depart without worry.

We continue our efforts in anticipation of a resolution as soon as possible and thank everyone involved for their patience and understanding. Further news will be released as soon as a final resolution is known.

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

Major Publications Have New Owner

Updated Thursday, October 16. There is also a new article on the Linn’s/Scott Stamp website.


Jay Bigalke, David Fritz and others have formed a new company to publish the philatelic publications formerly owned by Amos Media: Linn’s Stamp News, Scott Stamp Monthly and the Scott postage stamp catalogues. The announcement was made Wednesday, October 15, after the close of business and Amos employees were notified.

Amos Media will retain its numismatic publications and the supplies and albums operation.

The new company is called “Scott Stamp LLC” (LLC stands for limited liability corporation, a legal term.) The negotiations took many months. Among the investors is Mystic Stamp Co. president Don Sundman, who called it “a great day for stamp collecting.”

All of the investors are themselves stamp collectors, Bigalke told The Virtual Stamp Club in a telephone interview, and their ages vary widely.

In the story on the Linn’s website, Bigalke [shown left at Great American Stamp Show 2021] and Fritz are described as “passionate collectors dedicated to strengthening and modernizing philately for future generations.”

Bigalke is already well-known in philately, starting with his first day cover cachetmaking while in high school, then to editorial jobs with VSC (albeit unpaid), Linn’s, the American Philatelic Society’s journal The American Philatelist and then back to Linn’s. Fritz, however, is not as well-known, although he is an active member of The Collectors Club and a member of the Royal Philatelic Society.

The new ownership is likely to be apparent with the November 3 issue of Linn’s, which is expected to go online this Saturday, October 18. All the philatelic editorial staff is making the move to the new company. Scott Stamp LLC’s offices will be located in Troy, Ohio.

Readers had noticed the paper was shrinking, both in terms of advertising and editorial content, and Bigalke told The VSC he plans to reverse that trend. “The editorial content is going to increase greatly,” Bigalke said.

Could Linn’s again be available as a printed newspaper? Yes, said Bigalke. “I am studying how to do it and if it makes financial sense to do so.”

When he returned to Linn’s after the APS sojourn, he told Amos Media owner Rick Amos he wanted to run not just the weekly newspaper, but also the Scott publications. “I’m gunning for your job,” he says he told Amos. “I always thought it would be fun to own the stamp side of the business some day.”

“What I want to pump back into philately is excitement,” he added. “We’re going to make heads spin here and I can’t wait.”