Category Archives: 2025 New Issues

Blue Rodeo (Canada 2025)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
New stamp celebrates Blue Rodeo
Since the band’s formation in 1984, its unique mix of country, folk and rock has helped shape Canadian music

TORONTO, April 3, 2025 /CNW/ – Today, Canada Post unveiled a new stamp to celebrate one of Canada’s most beloved bands, Blue Rodeo.

From the time it formed in 1984, the iconic group and its signature blend of country, folk and rock have helped define Canada’s musical identity – and 40 years on, Blue Rodeo continues to resonate deeply with loyal fans.

Led by the soaring harmonies and endearing melodies of principal singer-songwriters Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, Blue Rodeo performed a first live gig in February 1985. The band – known for rootsy eclecticism and superb musicianship – quickly became a fixture in Toronto’s epic Queen Street West music scene.

In 1987, the group released a debut album, Outskirts, with the first single “Try” becoming an instant hit. The song helped certify the record double platinum the following year and was the driving force behind Blue Rodeo’s five 1989 JUNO Award nominations – the band won Group of the Year, while “Try” won Single of the Year as well as Best Video.

Building on this initial success, Blue Rodeo went on to release more than a dozen albums. Classic songs such as “Lost Together,” “5 Days in May” and “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” propelled the band’s work to multi-platinum status and turned the group, along with its members, into Canadian legends.

Among countless accolades, Blue Rodeo has won 12 JUNO Awards, including induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and earned a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.

The band, which continues to tour and record, has sold more than four million albums and performed over 2,500 live shows, including more concerts at Toronto’s venerated Massey Hall than any other rock band.

About the stamp
The stamp features a collage of studio portraits of the seven current members of Blue Rodeo. From left to right, Mike Boguski, Jimmy Bowskill, Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor appear in the front row, with Colin Cripps, Bazil Donovan and Glenn Milchem in the back row.

The stamp was designed by Jim Ryce. It features photography by Luis Mora and illustration work by Katy Lemay, along with flower illustrations from thegraphicsfairy.com. It was printed by Colour Innovations. The issue includes a booklet of six Permanent™ stamps and an Official First Day Cover. The cancel site is Toronto, Ontario, where the band is based; the cancel mark is a guitar pick with a flower at its centre, reminiscent of the floral details that appear on the band’s western-style shirts.

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

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un nouveau timbre rend hommage à Blue Rodeo
Depuis la formation du groupe en 1984, son mélange unique de country, de folk et de rock a façonné la musique canadienne.

TORONTO, le 3 avril 2025 /CNW/ – Aujourd’hui, Postes Canada a dévoilé un timbre saluant l’un des groupes canadiens les plus aimés, Blue Rodeo.

Depuis ses débuts en 1984, le groupe emblématique contribue avec son style de musique – un mélange unique de country, de folk et de rock – à définir l’identité musicale du Canada. Une quarantaine d’années plus tard, Blue Rodeo ne cesse de séduire son fidèle public.

Guidé par les puissantes harmonies et les mélodies irrésistibles des auteurs-compositeurs-interprètes principaux Jim Cuddy et Greg Keelor, Blue Rodeo se produit pour la première fois en février 1985. Reconnu pour son style éclectique aux accents roots et sa superbe musicalité, le groupe se taille rapidement une place sur la légendaire scène musicale de la rue Queen Ouest à Toronto.

En 1987, le groupe lance son premier album, Outskirts, dont le premier titre, « Try », connaît un succès instantané. La chanson contribue à la certification double platine de l’album l’année suivante, et le groupe obtient cinq nominations aux prix JUNO en 1989, où il remporte le titre du groupe de l’année, tandis que « Try » est couronnée single de l’année et vidéoclip de l’année.

Fort de son succès initial, Blue Rodeo sort plus d’une douzaine d’albums. Des classiques tels que « Lost Together », « 5 Days in May » et « Hasn’t Hit Me Yet » lui valent des albums maintes fois platine et hissent le groupe et ses membres au rang des légendes canadiennes.

Blue Rodeo reçoit de nombreuses distinctions : 12 prix JUNO, dont celui de son intronisation au Temple de la renommée de la musique canadienne, une étoile sur l’Allée des célébrités canadiennes et un Prix du Gouverneur général pour les arts du spectacle de la réalisation artistique.

Le groupe, qui se produit et enregistre toujours, a vendu plus de quatre millions d’albums et présenté plus de 2 500 spectacles sur scène, y compris au prestigieux Massey Hall de Toronto, où il se produit plus souvent que toute autre formation rock.

À propos du timbre
Le timbre présente un collage de portraits des sept membres actuels de Blue Rodeo. De gauche à droite dans la rangée avant, Mike Boguski, Jimmy Bowskill, Jim Cuddy et Greg Keelor, puis Colin Cripps, Bazil Donovan et Glenn Milchem dans la rangée arrière.

Le timbre a été conçu par Jim Ryce. Il présente le travail du photographe Luis Mora et de l’illustratrice Katy Lemay, ainsi que des illustrations de fleurs de thegraphicsfairy.com. Il a été imprimé par Colour Innovations. L’émission comprend un carnet de six timbres PermanentsMC et un pli Premier Jour officiel. Le timbre est oblitéré à Toronto, où réside le groupe; le cachet d’oblitération est un médiator de guitare orné d’une fleur rappelant les détails floraux des chemises westerns des membres du groupe.

Les timbres et les articles de collection sont en vente sur postescanada.ca et dans les comptoirs postaux partout au pays.

The earlier preview announcement:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canada Post to unveil stamp honouring award-winning Canadian band Blue Rodeo

TORONTO, March 31, 2025 /CNW/ Canada Post invites you to the unveiling of a new commemorative stamp honouring award-winning Canadian band Blue Rodeo on Thursday, April 3 at the Opera House.

Official Website • Wikipedia • AllMusic

Since its formation in 1984, Blue Rodeo has won 12 JUNO Awards, including induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and earned a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.

The stamp unveiling will be a private event, by invitation only. Interviews will be available on site.

WHAT: Blue Rodeo stamp unveiling

WHEN: Thursday, April 3; doors open at 5:30 p.m. and event starts at 6 p.m.

WHERE: The Opera House, 735 Queen Street East, Toronto

RSVP: Media interested in attending the private stamp unveiling are asked to confirm their attendance by email to media@canadapost.ca.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Postes Canada dévoilera un timbre en hommage au groupe primé Blue Rodeo

TORONTO, le 31 mars 2025 /CNW/ Postes Canada vous invite au dévoilement d’un timbre commémoratif rendant hommage au groupe canadien primé Blue Rodeo le jeudi 3 avril à l’Opera House.

Depuis sa formation en 1984, Blue Rodeo a reçu de nombreuses distinctions: 12 prix JUNO, intronisation au Temple de la renommée de la musique canadienne, une étoile sur l’Allée des célébrités canadiennes et un Prix du Gouverneur général pour les arts du spectacle de la réalisation artistique.

Le dévoilement du timbre sera un événement privé, sur invitation seulement. Des entrevues pourront avoir lieu sur place.

QUOI: Dévoilement du timbre saluant Blue Rodeo

QUAND: Le jeudi 3 avril; les portes ouvriront à 17 h 30 et l’événement commencera à 18 h.

OÙ: The Opera House
-735, rue Queen Est, Toronto

RSVP: Les médias qui souhaitent assister au dévoilement privé doivent confirmer leur présence par courriel à media@postescanada.ca.

Myths and Legends (UK 2025)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Celebrates Myths and Legends with a Set of Special Stamps

  • Issue date: 27 March
  • The eight-stamp set explores the mythical creatures and legendary figures of UK folklore
  • The images feature: Beowulf and Grendel, Blodeuwedd, the Loch Ness Monster, Cornish piskies, Fionn mac Cumhaill, Black Shuck, a grindylow and a selkie
  • The stamps and a range of collectible products are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/myths and by telephone on 03457 641641

Royal Mail has revealed images of eight striking illustrations capturing the spirit of well-known mythical creatures and legendary figures of folklore.

The images feature: Beowulf and Grendel, Blodeuwedd, the Loch Ness Monster, Cornish piskies, Fionn mac Cumhaill, Black Shuck, a grindylow and a selkie.

The stamps were illustrated by London-based artist Adam Simpson. Simpson’s work has been shortlisted for a British Design Award and he was included in the Art Directors Club Young Guns awards.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy, Royal Mail, said: “For some parts of the UK, local myths and legends are as much a part of their identity as the local landmarks and architecture. These beautifully illustrated stamps celebrate a fascinating aspect of British culture and custom.”

Myths and Legends of the UK:
The landscape of the United Kingdom resounds with folktales, myths and legends. Each region has its own unique stories, creating a tapestry of tales passed down over centuries that offers fascinating insights into the shared cultural imagination.

The Old English poem Beowulf recounts how the eponymous hero defended the Danish King Hrothgar’s mead hall, vanquishing the monstrous Grendel.
Across the sea, Northern Ireland’s heroic tale of Fionn mac Cumhaill explains how he built the Giant’s Causeway, outwitting a Scottish giant with strength and cunning.

Myths such as the Welsh story of Blodeuwedd, conjured from flowers and destined to wed an unwanted suitor, illustrate the complexities of human emotions and behaviour, including love and betrayal. In Orkney and Shetland, selkies shed their seal skins to take human form. Exploring loss and longing, these folktales often recount how selkies eventually leave their human mates, succumbing to their yearning for the sea.

Some stories tackle human foibles, such as temptation and forgetfulness. The piskies of Cornwall are blamed for stealing household items and leading travellers astray with their pisky lights.

Cautionary tales often warn of grave dangers. Grindylows are sprites with long arms who lurk in the rivers and ponds of Lancashire and Yorkshire, waiting to drag curious children to their deaths. Black Shuck, a spectral hound with fiery eyes, stalks the countryside of East Anglia, foretelling death and destruction. One of the most famous legendary creatures in the world, the Scottish Loch Ness Monster taps into the primal fear of the unknown. This long-necked, humped beast snakes through the depths, a remnant of our ancient past that still waits for us in the deep.

Exploring the mythical creatures and legendary figures of folklore entails uncovering not only intriguing stories but also the deeper meanings and values they convey. These tales continue to captivate and inspire, offering a fascinating window into the collective psyche of the United Kingdom.

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order at www.royalmail.com/myths and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all eight stamps is priced at £14.10. The stamps go on general sale from 27 March.

From VSC: Products include

  • Medal Cover £19.99
  • Framed Stamps £39.99
  • First day covers, with Tallent House or Drumnadrochit, Inverness postmarks £16.50
  • Postcards £3.60

Butterflies of Sint Eustatiusm (Netherlands 2025)

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[from PostNL press materials] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Experience Nature – Butterflies of Sint Eustatius

Issue date: 31 March 2025
Appearance: Sheet of 10 stamps in 10 different designs, each with denomination 1 for mail weighing up to 20 grams sent within the Netherlands
Item number: 450361
Design: Frank Janse, Gouda
Photography: Alamy, Dreamstime, Shutterstock, and Wikimedia Commons (Francisco Farriols Sarabia and Charles J. Sharp)

The Experience Nature – butterflies of Sint Eustatius sheet features 10 stamps in 10 different designs. The stamps have a denomination of 1 for mail up to 20 grams within the Netherlands. The price for a sheet of 10 stamps is €12.10 (currently about US$13.15).

The sheet is part of the multi-year series Experience Nature dedicated to the Caribbean Netherlands from 2024-2026. Each year, the series features four stamp sheets, each with 10 different stamps. The stamps depict plants and animals found in this part of the Netherlands. The islands in this region boast an extraordinary biodiversity by Dutch standards, with thousands of plant and animal species. In 2025, attention will be given to the birds, butterflies, underwater world, and flora of the island of Sint Eustatius.

The island of Sint Eustatius, like Bonaire and Saba, has a special status within the Netherlands. The collective name for the three islands is the Caribbean Netherlands. Sint Eustatius lies between Saba and Saint Kitts, separated from these islands by a shallow sea. The only city and capital of Sint Eustatius is Oranjestad. Since 2010, Sint Eustatius has been a special municipality, with the island council as the highest governing body responsible for local legislation. The executive power lies with the island commissioners appointed by the island council, chaired by the governor. About 3,000 people live on Sint Eustatius, and the island’s official language is English.

Sint Eustatius is dominated by the dormant volcano The Quill (601 meters) in the southeast and a 200,000-year-old extinct volcanic area in the north around the hill Bergje (223 meters). There are three national parks on the island: Quill/Boven National Park, Statia National Marine Park, and Miriam Schmidt Botanical Garden.

Butterflies belong to an order of winged insects, with approximately 160,000 described species in total. The collective name is Lepidoptera. This word comes from Greek, where ‘lepis’ means scale and ‘ptera’ means wings. The literal translation is therefore ‘scale-winged.’ Indeed, the wings of butterflies are covered with scales that absorb light in various ways, creating visible colours and patterns.

Of all the butterfly species in the world, about 265 are found in the Caribbean Netherlands, with nearly 30 day-flying butterflies on Sint Eustatius (both permanent residents and occasional visitors). The large number of yellow butterflies on the island is particularly striking, including the Small Sulphur and the Cloudless Sulphur. The latter has its own stamp in the Experience Nature – Butterflies of Sint Eustatius issue. From the family of brush-footed butterflies, the Zebra Longwing stands out, gliding through the area around the volcano The Quill. Another brush-footed butterfly is the Painted Lady, with its orange-brown colour pattern with black and white spots on the forewings and, of course, its preference for thistles. Another remarkable species from the tropical forest area is the Red Rim, while the Tropical Buckeye, with its striking peacock-like eyes, is a more common species on the island. The Florida Leafwing is a striking butterfly in flight but blends completely into its surroundings when at rest, making it difficult to spot among the leaves.

The stamp sheet Experience Nature – butterflies of Sint Eustatius is designed by graphic designer Frank Janse from Gouda. The sheet features all the butterflies portrayed in their natural environment, each on its own stamp. The butterflies include: Caribbean Blue, Painted Lady, Manuel’s Skipper, Long-tailed Skipper, Cloudless Sulphur, Lime Swallowtail, Tropical Buckeye, Banded Yellow, Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, and Florida Leafwing.

Technical Specifications:

Stamp Size: 40 x 30 mm
Sheet Size: 122 x 170 mm
Paper: Normal with phosphor coating
Gumming: Self-adhesive
Printing Technique: Offset
Print Colours: Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black
Edition: 275,000 sheets
Format: Sheet of 10 stamps in 10 different designs
Denomination: 1 for mail up to 20 grams within the Netherlands
Design: Frank Janse, Gouda
Photography: Alamy, Dreamstime, Shutterstock, and Wikimedia Commons (Francisco Farriols Sarabia and Charles J. Sharp)
Printer: Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé B.V., Haarlem
Item Number: 450361

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.

Garden Wildlife (UK 2025)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Special Stamps Celebrate the Incredible Array of Wildlife That Inhabits Gardens Across The UK

  • Issue date: 11 March
  • The 10-stamp set shows striking images of wildlife that inhabits gardens of the UK
  • Featured on the stamps are: a Fox; Blackbird; Common Frog; Blue Tit; Badger; Smooth Newt; Hedgehog; Robin; Buff-tailed Bumblebee; and Garden Snail
  • The stamps and a range of collectible products are available at www.royalmail.com/gardenwildlife and by telephone on 03457 641641

The gardens of the UK support a huge diversity of wildlife. Today Royal Mail reveals images of 10 stamps that explore some of the species that inhabit the nation’s gardens.

The wildlife shown on the stamps are commonly seen and readily identifiable – they are also widespread and include some of our most popular species.

Featured on the stamps are: a Fox; Blackbird; Common Frog; Blue Tit; Badger; Smooth Newt; Hedgehog; Robin; Buff-tailed Bumblebee; and Garden Snail.

Royal Mail worked with Professor Dawn Scott, Executive Dean of the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Nottingham Trent University, on the stamp issue.

Professor Scott said: “It was fantastic to work with Royal Mail to celebrate our iconic British garden wildlife in this special collection. Gardens can provide havens for a rich diversity of wildlife, this collection highlights just a few. I hope the beautiful images inspire people to continue to support wildlife in their own gardens.”

David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy said: “British people are renowned for their love of gardens, and no matter how small, in urban or rural areas, wildlife can thrive there. These stamps capture the rich diversity of wildlife found in gardens across the UK, and remind us how lucky we are to live so close to nature.”

Wildlife of the UK:
Within the millions of gardens in the UK, there is a wide range of habitats, including flowerbeds, shrubs, lawns, ponds and compost bins, each providing resources to support a plethora of species.

Positive management of our gardens – such as increasing flowering-plant diversity, reducing chemical use and providing natural food resources and refuges for hibernating animals, not only benefits our wildlife but also gives us immense benefits from increasing biodiversity.

Wildlife pollinates our plants to provide us with fresh fruit and vegetables. Wildlife recycles the waste in our compost bins and eats insects to keep control of their numbers. Gardens and green spaces have also been shown to be beneficial for our physical and mental health. All that is needed is a space in which wildlife can thrive, and humans feel the benefits.

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available at www.royalmail.com/gardenwildlife and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 10 stamps is priced at £13.40. The stamps go on general sale from 11 March.

Stamp-by-Stamp
Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Also known as the red fox, this iconic omnivorous carnivore is widespread across the UK and commonly seen in gardens but, due to its adaptability, also occurs in many different habitats, from coasts to uplands. It has distinctive reddish-orange fur with white on the neck and belly, black on the legs and a thick, bushy tail. Foxes are generalists, having a wide diet that includes insects, fruit, small mammals and leftovers put out for them. They breed once a year, with cubs being sighted playing in gardens in early summer-

Blackbird
Turdus merula
Blackbirds are found widely across the UK, from gardens to countryside, coasts to hills. They are common and easily recognisable garden visitors. The males are black with bright orange-yellow beaks and yellow eye-rings, whereas females are brown, often with spots and streaks on their breasts, and brown beaks. Blackbirds feed on a variety of insects, worms and molluscs, also eating berries and fruit when in season. They forage mostly on the ground, turning over leaf litter and probing the soil for food.

Common frog
Rana temporaria
Widespread in mainland Britain, frogs are found in damp habitats including gardens with ponds. They have smooth skin – grey, olive-green and yellow-to-brown in colour – with irregular dark blotches and a dark stripe around their eyes. Frogs are mainly active at night and eat insects (using their long, sticky tongues), as well as snails, slugs and worms. In spring, males call to attract females to breed. Frogs lay large clumps of black-dotted jelly frogspawn in shallow water. Young tadpoles feed on algae, but then become carnivorous.-

Blue tit
Cyanistes caeruleus
Possessing distinctive blue-and-white heads, with black eye-stripes and yellow breasts, blue tits are one of our most familiar garden visitors. They are common in woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens, feeding on insects, seeds and nuts. It is estimated that over 15 million blue tits overwinter in the UK, with numbers recently increasing, possibly due to supplementary food and bird-box provisions in gardens. They are considered strictly ‘residential’ birds, rarely moving far from where they hatch.

Badger
Meles meles
With their unique black-and-white face markings, and being the largest native land carnivores in the UK, badgers (also known as European or Eurasian badgers) are easily recognisable. They are members of the mustelid family, closely related to otters, stoats and weasels. Badgers live in groups called clans, based in underground setts. They are nocturnal, spending much of the night foraging for food. Although their diet can be wide-ranging, badgers do have a liking for earthworms and can eat over 200 in a night.-

Smooth newt
Lissotriton vulgaris
Also known as the common newt, this species is widespread and often found in garden ponds or in habitats such as woodpiles and rockeries. They feed on insects, slugs and worms on land, and hunt invertebrates and frog tadpoles in the water. Both males and females are grey or brown in colour and have an orange or yellow belly with black spots that extend up to the throat. During the breeding season, males develop a wavy crest along their body and tail. Females lay their eggs individually and wrap them in aquatic plant leaves for protection.

Hedgehog
Erinaceus europaeus
Garden visitors that have been voted Britain’s favourite mammal, hedgehogs were once widespread across the UK in woodland, arable land, hedgerows and grassland, but have recently suffered population declines. Unmistakable in appearance, hedgehogs (also known as European hedgehogs) have several thousand spines across their backs, and pointed furry faces with small black eyes and investigative noses. Known as ‘gardeners’ friends’ due to their diet of slugs, snails, beetles and caterpillars, hedgehogs hibernate from around November to April. In gardens, this can happen in piles of leaves or logs, in compost heaps and under sheds.-

Robin
Erithacus rubecula
With their highly distinctive red breasts, contrasting with brown bodies and white undersides, robins have been named the UK’s favourite birds. Found in a range of habitats, and common in gardens, robins are known to follow gardeners, hoovering up insects and worms that have been unearthed, although they also feed on seeds, fruits and other invertebrates. Males and females are identical in appearance. They are aggressively territorial and reinforce this by singing loudly from prominent perches.

Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
The buff-tailed bumblebee is a common and widespread species found in gardens, parks and lowland areas throughout the UK. It is a large bumblebee, with yellow bands at the collar and on the abdomen. It feeds on a wide range of flowers such as lavenders, thistles and daisy-like species where its short tongue can easily reach the available nectar. The species is named after the buff-coloured tail of the queen, although workers and males have an almost white tail, often with a narrow buff-coloured line between the black abdomen and tail.-

Garden snail
Cornu aspersum
Some of the most widespread garden animals, snails have pale-grey skin and brown or yellowish shells with pale flecking and dark spiralling bands. They are active at night, feeding on leaves, fungi and plant debris. Garden snails generally hibernate during winter. After mating, they lay around 80 white eggs in an underground nest. The newly hatched snails have fragile shells and take about two years to mature. Snails are hermaphrodites, having both female and male reproductive cells, meaning they can also reproduce by self-fertilisation.

Other philatelic products for this issue include:

  • Collectors Sheet (right) £13.70
  • Postcards £4.50
  • Stamp Souvenir (unpersonalised FDC) (below) £15.65

However, no personalized FDCs are offered for this issue, nor choice of postmarks.

  • First-day envelope £0.30
  • Full sheet of 50 1st class stamps £82.50
  • Full sheet of 50 2nd class stamps £42.50
  • Framed stamps £39.99

Brian Mulroney (Canada 2025)

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Updated March 20th:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canada Post pays tribute to the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney
New stamp continues the long-standing tradition of recognizing the accomplishments of former prime ministers

MONTRÉAL – Canada Post today unveiled a new stamp in recognition of Canada’s 18th prime minister, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney (1939-2024). Born in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Mulroney is considered one of Canada’s most consequential prime ministers. This latest stamp issue continues Canada Post’s long-standing tradition of honouring the accomplishments of former Canadian prime ministers.

[Note: While the March 20 press release says “today unveiled a new stamp,” the actual issue date was March 21.]

Mulroney, who served as prime minister from 1984 to 1993, believed that Canadian democracy “is advanced by the collision of great ideas and the articulation of competing visions of the country.” Having won back-to-back Conservative majorities in the 1984 and 1988 federal elections – a feat that hadn’t been achieved in Canada since the Liberals secured a second term in 1953 – he spent his tenure pursuing a vision and championing ideas that were transformative.

His government ushered in significant privatizations, tax reforms and deregulations, as well as reduced government expenditures. A determined proponent of opening Canada’s economic borders, Mulroney led the charge when it came to the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement and later the North American Free Trade Agreement.

He also proved himself a talented statesman. Mulroney was instrumental in the efforts to reunify Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was also a vocal opponent of apartheid in South Africa, which set him apart from his American and British counterparts. He and his government are credited with helping dismantle the apartheid regime, which in turn contributed to Nelson Mandela’s freedom. Mulroney’s environmental achievements were likewise historic. Most notably, he was instrumental in facilitating the historic 1991 Air Quality Agreement between the U.S. and Canada.

Some of Mulroney’s initiatives including free trade and the GST were undoubtedly controversial at the time. However, today many Canadians regard these policies as key to Canada’s economic progress in the decades that followed.

Mulroney died on February 29, 2024, at the age of 84.

About the stamp
The stamp features a photograph of a relaxed and smiling prime minister, capturing his warm and approachable demeanour. The stamp was designed by Paprika using a photograph taken by Bill McCarthy and was printed by Colour Innovations. The issue includes a booklet of 10 Permanent™ stamps and an Official First Day Cover (below). The cancel site is Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Mulroney’s birthplace.

Stamp products are available at canadapost.ca and at select postal outlets across Canada.

Canada Post video:

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Postes Canada rend hommage au très honorable Brian Mulroney
Le nouveau timbre perpétue une longue tradition de commémoration des réalisations d’anciens premiers ministres.

MONTRÉAL – Postes Canada a dévoilé aujourd’hui un nouveau timbre en l’honneur du 18e premier ministre du Canada, le très honorable Brian Mulroney (1939-2024). Né à Baie-Comeau, au Québec, Brian Mulroney est considéré comme l’un des premiers ministres les plus influents du Canada. Cette nouvelle émission perpétue la longue tradition de Postes Canada de souligner les réalisations d’anciens premiers ministres canadiens.

Brian Mulroney, qui a été premier ministre de 1984 à 1993, estimait que la démocratie canadienne « progresse grâce au choc des grandes idées et à l’articulation de visions concurrentes du pays ». Ayant remporté deux élections fédérales consécutives avec une majorité conservatrice en 1984 et en 1988, un exploit inédit au Canada depuis la deuxième victoire des libéraux en 1953, il passe ses mandats à réaliser une vision et des idées transformatrices.

Son gouvernement lance d’importantes privatisations, réformes fiscales et mesures de déréglementation, en plus de réduire les dépenses gouvernementales. Fervent défenseur de l’ouverture des frontières économiques du Canada, le politicien mène la charge pour l’adoption de l’Accord de libre-échange entre le Canada et les États-Unis et, plus tard, de l’Accord de libre-échange nord-américain.

Il laisse aussi sa marque comme homme d’État. Brian Mulroney participe activement aux efforts visant à réunifier l’Allemagne après la chute du mur de Berlin. Il s’oppose aussi fermement à l’apartheid en Afrique du Sud, ce qui le distingue de ses homologues américain et britannique. Brian Mulroney et son gouvernement sont considérés comme des alliés ayant aidé à démanteler le régime d’apartheid, ce qui a contribué à la libération de Nelson Mandela. Les réalisations environnementales du politicien passent également à l’histoire. Plus particulièrement, il joue un rôle clé dans la conclusion de l’Accord sur la qualité de l’air de 1991, une entente historique entre le Canada et les États-Unis.

Certaines des initiatives de Brian Mulroney, y compris l’accord de libre-échange et l’introduction de la TPS, étaient controversées à l’époque. De nos jours, toutefois, bien des gens considèrent que ces politiques ont été déterminantes pour le progrès économique qu’a connu le Canada au cours des décennies qui ont suivi.

Brian Mulroney décède le 29 février 2024, à l’âge de 84 ans.

À propos du timbre
Le timbre présente une photo du premier ministre détendu et souriant, qui reflète son attitude chaleureuse. Le timbre a été conçu par Paprika à partir d’une photo prise par Bill McCarthy et a été imprimé par Colour Innovations. L’émission comprend un carnet de 10 timbres PermanentsMC et un pli Premier Jour officiel. Le lieu d’oblitération est Baie-Comeau, au Québec, la ville de naissance de Brian Mulroney.

Le timbre et le pli Premier Jour officiel sont en vente sur postescanada.ca et dans certains comptoirs postaux au pays.

Canada Post video with French subtitles:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canada Post to unveil stamp paying tribute to the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney

MONTRÉAL, March 17, 2025 /CNW/ – Canada Post invites you to the private unveiling of a new commemorative stamp in recognition of Canada’s 18th prime minister, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney (1939-2024), on Thursday, March 20 at the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal. [The photo on the left is a stock photo that may or may not resemble the stamp design.]

Born in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Mulroney is considered one of Canada’s most consequential prime ministers. He believed that Canadian democracy “is advanced by the collision of great ideas and the articulation of competing visions of the country.”
This stamp issue continues Canada Post’s long-standing tradition of honouring the accomplishments of former Canadian prime ministers.

WHAT: The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney stamp unveiling

WHEN: Thursday, March 20; doors open at 5 pm and event starts at 5:30 pm

WHERE: Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, Galerie des Bronzes

  • 1379 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal
  • Accessible entrance at 1379A rue Sherbrooke Ouest (through the Cinéma du Musée)

RSVP: Media interested in attending the private unveiling are asked to confirm their attendance by email to media@canadapost.ca.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Postes Canada dévoilera un timbre en hommage au très honorable Brian Mulroney

MONTRÉAL, le 17 mars 2025 /CNW/ – Postes Canada vous invite au dévoilement privé d’un timbre commémoratif en hommage au 18e premier ministre du Canada, le très honorable Brian Mulroney (1939-2024), le jeudi 20 mars au Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal.

Né à Baie-Comeau (Québec), Brian Mulroney est considéré comme l’un des premiers ministres les plus influents du Canada. Il estimait que la démocratie du Canada « progresse grâce au choc des grandes idées et à l’articulation de visions concurrentes du pays ».

Cette émission perpétue la longue tradition de Postes Canada de souligner les réalisations d’anciens premiers ministres canadiens.

QUOI : Dévoilement du timbre consacré au très honorable Brian Mulroney.

QUAND : Jeudi 20 mars; les portes ouvriront à 17 h et l’événement débutera à 17 h 30.
OÙ : Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, Galerie des Bronzes

  • 1379, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal
  • Entrée accessible au 1379A, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, en passant par le Cinéma du Musée

RSVP : Les médias qui souhaitent assister au dévoilement privé doivent confirmer leur présence par courriel à media@postescanada.ca.

Eid (Canada 2025)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Prayer rug celebrating ties between Indigenous and Muslim peoples adorns new Eid stamp
Canada Post is proud to mark two festivals celebrated by Muslim Canadians with a stamp featuring the Canadian Prayer Rug

OTTAWA – Canada Post issued a new stamp today to mark two of the most important religious holidays in Islam: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The commemorative stamp features a prayer rug celebrating the connection between Indigenous and Muslim peoples – and the multi-faith collaboration that built Canada’s first mosque.

The Canadian Prayer Rug was created in 2016 as a project of The Green Room, a youth-support program run by the Edmonton-based charityIslamicFamily, which provides spiritually and culturally sensitive services to the local community.

The rug was designed by local Métis artist Kit Craven and Muslim weaver Noor Iqbal, based on research and interviews carried out by youth with Indigenous Elders and descendants of early Muslim settlers.

Prayer rug commemorates relationship that resulted in Canada’s first mosque
The rug’s design depicts Alberta’s diverse landscapes and distinct seasons. At its centre are an archway and a lodgepole pine – a tree that supports teepees and lodges and is reminiscent of the cypress of settler homelands.

Weaved with locally sourced wool, dyes and other materials, the prayer rug reflects the rich cultural and geographical history of the region, bringing together elements that honour the community’s heritage.

More than a work of art, the rug symbolizes unity and multiculturalism within Treaty 6 Territory, which includes Edmonton. It celebrates the deep, enduring connection between Indigenous and Muslim communities, which helped to open the country’s first mosque in Edmonton in 1938.

Celebrating Canada’s culturally diverse population
This is Canada Post’s seventh stamp issue commemorating the Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Celebrated by Muslim Canadians, both events can last several days and include communal prayers and feasts, visits with family, gift-giving and acts of charity.

The Eid stamp is one of several stamps Canada Post issues each year to mark annual celebrations that are important to Canada’s culturally diverse population – others include Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas.

About the stamp
The stamp issue was designed by Kristine Do with illustration by Kit Craven and photography by Maya Visnyei. Printed by Colour Innovations, the issue includes booklets of six Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover cancelled in Edmonton, Alberta.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un tapis de prière célébrant les liens entre les peuples autochtones et musulmans orne un nouveau timbre consacré à l’Aïd
Postes Canada est fière de souligner deux fêtes célébrées par la communauté musulmane du pays en émettant un timbre orné du tapis de prière canadien.

OTTAWA – Postes Canada a émis un nouveau timbre aujourd’hui pour souligner deux des plus importantes fêtes du calendrier musulman : l’Aïd al-¬Fitr et l’Aïd al-Adha. Le timbre commémoratif présente un tapis de prière célébrant le lien entre les peuples autochtones et musulmans, ainsi que la collaboration multiconfessionnelle qui a mené à la construction de la première mosquée au Canada.

Le tapis de prière canadien (Canadian Prayer Rug) a été créé en 2016 dans le cadre d’un projet de The Green Room, un programme pour les jeunes géré par l’organisme de bienfaisance d’Edmonton IslamicFamily, qui offre des services spirituels et culturels à la communauté locale.

Œuvre de l’artiste métisse locale Kit Craven et de la tisseuse musulmane Noor Iqbal, la tapisserie s’inspire d’entrevues menées par des jeunes avec des aînés et aînées autochtones et la descendance des premières populations musulmanes établies au pays.

Un tapis de prière célébrant le lien qui a mené à la construction de la première mosquée au Canada
Le motif du tapis illustre les paysages variés et les saisons distinctes de l’Alberta. Au centre se trouvent une arche et un pin tordu latifolié, un arbre qui soutient les tipis et les huttes, et qui rappelle les cyprès des terres natales des colons.

Le tapis de prière est fabriqué de laines, teintures et autres matériaux d’origine locale, et reflète la riche histoire culturelle et géographique de la région, incorporant des éléments qui honorent le patrimoine communautaire.

Plus qu’une œuvre d’art, le tapis est un symbole d’unité et de multiculturalisme au sein du territoire du Traité no 6, qui comprend Edmonton. Il célèbre le lien durable et profond entre les peuples autochtones et musulmans, qui a mené à l’ouverture de la première mosquée du Canada à Edmonton en 1938.

Célébrer la diversité culturelle du Canada
Il s’agit de la septième émission de timbre de Postes Canada soulignant les fêtes islamiques de l’Aïd al-Fitr et de l’Aïd al-Adha. D’une durée de plusieurs jours, elles sont célébrées par des fidèles de partout au Canada. Elles sont généralement synonymes de prières communes, de visites familiales, de festins partagés, de cadeaux et d’actes de charité.

La vignette consacrée à l’Aïd fait partie des nombreuses émissions annuelles soulignant des fêtes importantes pour la population diversifiée du Canada, notamment Diwali, Hanoukka et Noël.

À propos du timbre
L’émission de timbre a été conçue par Kristine Do, l’illustration est de Kit Craven et la photographie, de Maya Visnyei. Imprimée par Colour Innovations, l’émission comprend un carnet de six timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur et un pli Premier Jour officiel oblitéré à Edmonton, en Alberta.

William F. Buckley, Jr. (U.S. 2025)

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This stamp was announced by the USPS on March 6th:

One of the most influential public intellectuals in modern U.S. history, William F. Buckley Jr. (1925–2008) defined the conservative movement of the mid-20th century and was one of its most recognizable spokesmen. Author of more than 50 books, Buckley foundedNational Review, one of the nation’s leading conservative publications, and hosted the Emmy Award–winning public affairs television program Firing Line for more than 30 years. Original art by Dale Stephanos features a portrait of Buckley, created by hand with graphite and charcoal on hot-press watercolor paper, then refined digitally. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

No date of issuance or city was given. The latest information will appear below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated November 5th:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 6032.

Updated August 9th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 3.0″ x 1.51″ The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.92″ x 1.22″ The Special postmark measures 2.74″ x 1.17″

[ceremony advisory] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Famed Intellectual William F. Buckley Jr. Will Be Honored on a Stamp

What: The U.S. Postal Service will honor William F. Buckley Jr., a larger-than-life figure who helped define modern American conservatism as a writer, political commentator and novelist, with a new stamp to be dedicated at Yale University.

The first-day-of-issue event for the William F. Buckley Jr. commemorative Forever stamp will be held on Sept. 9 and is free and open to the public.

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

Who: Isaac Cronkhite, chief processing and distribution officer and executive vice president, U.S. Postal Service

When: Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 4:30 p.m. ET

Where: Beinecke Plaza
Yale University
121 Wall St.
New Haven, CT 06511

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP atusps.com/williamfbuckleystamp.

Background: William F. Buckley Jr. was a defining figure in modern U.S. conservatism. As the founder of National Review and host of the public television series “Firing Line,” Buckley shaped the conservative movement into a formidable political force. Known for his eloquence, wit and ability to unite different conservative voices, his influence ranged from mid-20th-century politics to the White House.

A major part of that influence came through National Review, a magazine that Buckley founded in 1955 to strengthen conservatism at a time when liberalism dominated U.S. politics. He united thinkers across the spectrum to shape a relevant, non-extremist ideology. The magazine’s mission was clear: to “stand athwart history, yelling Stop.” Buckley’s earlier books, “God and Man at Yale” (1951) and “McCarthy and His Enemies” (1954), had established his reputation, but National Review solidified him as the intellectual leader of modern conservatism. Within a decade, it became the nation’s most influential conservative publication.

Buckley expanded his reach beyond print by bringing his sharp intellect and humor to television with “Firing Line” in 1966. The show featured spirited conversations with guests from across the political spectrum, tackling divisive issues in a way that engaged conservative and liberal viewers alike. In 1969, “Firing Line” earned an Emmy Award, further cementing Buckley as the public face of conservatism.

As “Firing Line” popularized conservative thought, the movement gained political momentum. By the 1970s, conservatism was influencing public policy, with Ronald Reagan adopting many of Buckley’s ideas as governor of California and later as president. Throughout this time, Buckley remained a trusted advisor, further shaping the mainstream conservative agenda.

After 35 years, Buckley retired from National Review in 1990 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991. Although “Firing Line” ended in 1999, Buckley continued writing, publishing more than 50 books. Today, National Review carries on Buckley’s legacy, shaping conservative thought for new generations, while “Firing Line” continues its tradition of thoughtful debate with a relaunch on PBS in 2018.

From the Postal Bulletin:

On September 9, 2025, in New Haven, CT, the United States Postal Service® will issue the William F. Buckley, Jr. stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 487500). This stamp will go on sale nationwide on September 9, 2025, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This stamp honors William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925–2008), a defining figure in 20th-century conservatism. The stamp art features a black-and-white portrait of Buckley, created by hand with graphite and charcoal on hot-press watercolor paper, then refined digitally. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dale Stephanos.

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 – William F. Buckley, Jr. Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900</strong

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 January 9, 2026.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: William F. Buckley, Jr. Stamp
Item Number: 487500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: September 9, 2025, New Haven, CT 06511
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Artist: Dale Stephanos, Foxboro, MA
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 12,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black,
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.8400 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): 6.0400 x 7.9620 in. / 153.4160 x 202.2350 mm.
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 12.0800 x 16.0490 in. / 306.8320 x 407.6446 mm.
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: ”B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: William F. Buckley, Jr. CONSERVATIVE WRITER / COMMENTATOR • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: ©2025 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (487500) • Plate position diagram (4) • Promotional text

Updated June 26th:
This stamp will be issued September 9 in New Haven, Conn.

Boston 2026 Stamp Show (U.S. 2026)

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These stamps were announced by the USPS on March 6th:

For one week in May 2026, the world capital of stamp collecting will be Boston, host of the Boston 2026 World Expo, the 12th international philatelic exhibition of the United States. To build anticipation and commemorate this confluence of art, history and international goodwill, two intaglio-printed stamps will highlight the special role of Boston in the American Revolution as we prepare to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed these stamps with digital illustrations by Dan Gretta featuring the Old North Church and a “midnight rider” on horseback in Colonial garb.

No date of issuance or city was given. However, many philatelists expect them to be issued at Great American Stamp Show in August. The latest information will appear below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated July 24th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 1.99″ x 1.48″ The Pictorial Postmark measures 1.89″ x 1.24″The NTSS postmark measures 2.646″ x 1.7834″ The Americover postmark for the first day of the show measures 2.3125″ x 1.50″

From the Postal Bulletin:
On August 14, 2025, in Schaumburg, IL, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Boston 2026 World Stamp Show stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in two designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 487300). This stamp will go on sale nationwide August 14, 2025, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Boston 2026 World Stamp Show commemorative pane of 20 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.

Issued to celebrate the Boston 2026 World Expo, the 12th international philatelic exhibition of the United States, these two stamps highlight the special role of Boston in the American Revolution as we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Digital illustrations on these intaglio-printed stamps depict the Old North Church and a “midnight rider” on horseback in colonial garb. Dan Gretta created the digital illustrations for the stamps. Greg Breeding served as art director and stamp designer.

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 – Boston 2026 World Stamp Show 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 December 14, 2025.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Boston 2026 World Stamp Show Stamps
Item Number: 487300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (2 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: August 14, 2025, Schaumburg, IL 60194
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Artist: Dan Gretta, Asheville, NC
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Intaglio
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Phoenix
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 12,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Pantone 301 C
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): 5.9200 x 7.8800 in. / 150.3680 x 200.1520 mm.
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 11.8400 x 23.6400 in. / 300.7360 x 600.4560 mm.
Plate Size: 120 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by one (1) single digit
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: BOSTON 2026 WORLD STAMP SHOW • Plate number in bottom two corners
Footer: MAY 23-30, 2026, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Back: ©2025 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (487300) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Updated July 10th:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS To Release Stamps Celebrating Boston 2026 World Stamp Expo

What: At the 2025 Great American Stamp Show in Schaumburg IL, the U.S. Postal Service will issue a set of stamps in anticipation of the Boston 2026 World Stamp Exposition. Issued to celebrate this once-a-decade extravaganza, these two stamps highlight the special role of Boston in the American Revolution as the Postal Service prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation.

The first-day-of-issue event for the Boston 2026 World Stamp Show Commemorative Forever stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #WorldStampShowStamps.

Who: William G. Fraine, senior vice president, national sales, U.S. Postal Service

When: Thursday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. CDT

Where:
Great American Stamp Show
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center
1551 North Thoreau Drive
Schaumburg, IL 60173

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

Background: For one week in May 2026, the world capital of stamp collecting will be Boston, host to the 2026 World Expo, the 12th international philatelic exhibition of the United States.

From May 23-30, 2026, the Boston 2026 World Expo will fill the halls and meeting rooms of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Spanning 352,000 square feet of exhibition space, the expo will feature a vast bourse — the philatelic term for a collectors’ and dealers’ marketplace — as well as hundreds of collectors’ club and society meetings, competitive exhibitions, dedication ceremonies for new stamps, and displays and exhibits by postal authorities around the world.

This event offers rare and remarkable opportunities for stamp collectors to connect with colleagues and friends, build their collections, learn from experts, and fully immerse themselves in their hobby. For curious newcomers and the public, the expo offers eye-catching displays of visually stunning stamps, opportunities to learn about other countries and their cultures, and a rich sense of tradition in a fun, family-friendly setting.

The United States hosted its first international philatelic exhibition in New York City in 1913 and has hosted similar expos once a decade ever since. In 1926, the U.S. Post Office Department issued a special souvenir sheet commemorating the 1777 Battle of White Plains with text promoting the second international philatelic exhibition on the selvage, the start of a tradition of commemorating or promoting the exhibition through stamps.

Since the 1970s, a tradition of issuing special U.S. stamps to commemorate the international philatelic exhibition at the event itself has, with some exceptions, generally given way to the release of stamps to promote the exhibition in advance. Today, many other nations issue stamps, sometimes three years beforehand, to build anticipation and commemorate a gathering that celebrates, as no other event can, the confluence of art, education, history and international goodwill.

The artist for these stamps was Dan Gretta. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps.

These stamps are being issued as Forever stamps and will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.

Updated March 10th:
The American Philatelic Society says these stamps will be issued on the first day of Great American Stamp Show, Thursday, August 14, in Schaumburg, IL.

U.S. Marine Corps 250th (U.S. 250th)

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This stamp was announced by the USPS on March 6th:

The familiar symbolism of a Marine Corps emblem appears on this stamp to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. First established during the Revolutionary War as the American colonies fought for independence, the Marine Corps is respected worldwide as an elite fighting force, prepared to face any challenge and prevail in the conflicts of the 21st century. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.

No date of issuance or city was given. The latest information will appear below the line, with the most recent at the top.

Updated July 7th:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 6005.

Updated April 18th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.3″ x 1.2″ The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.6″ x 0.95″

From the Postal Bulletin:
On May 16, 2025, in Washington, DC, the United States Postal Service® will issue the U.S. Marine Corps 250th stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 486800). This stamp will go on sale nationwide May 16, 2025, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This stamp celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, the elite fighting force prepared to face any challenge and prevail in the conflicts of the 21st century. Featuring a Marine Corps emblem against a white background, the stamp was designed by art director Antonio Alcalá.

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 – U.S. Marine Corps 250th 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 September 16, 2025.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: U.S. Marine Corps 250th Stamp
Item Number: 486800
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: May 16, 2025, Washington, DC 20066
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 18,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS 186C, PMS 2146C, PMS Warm Gray 5C
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): 5.9200 x 7.2400 in. / 150.3680 x183.8960 mm.
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 11.8400 x 21.9700 in. / 300.7360 x558.0380 mm.
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: ”B” followed by seven (7) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: CELEBRATING 250 YEARS OF THE U.S. MARINE CORPS • Plate number in bottom two corners
Back: © 2025 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (486800) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Updated April 16th:
This stamp will be issued Friday, May 16.
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
From Revolution to Resilience: USPS to Celebrate 250th Anniversaries of Army, Navy, and Marine Corps With Commemorative Stamps

WHAT: The U.S. Postal Service to proudly unveil three individual commemorative stamps honoring the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, recognizing the enduring legacy and unwavering dedication of these vital branches of the American military.

The first-day-of-issue event for the Armed Forces stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag#ArmedForces250Stamps.

WHO: Jeffery A. Adams, USPS corporate communications vice president and dedicating official

WHEN: Friday, May 16, 2025, at 11 a.m. EDT

WHERE:
Freedom Plaza
1325 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20004

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

BACKGROUND:
The three Forever stamps commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, each a vital component of the nation’s defense. All three branches trace their origins to the Revolutionary War, born from the necessity to secure American independence.

The Second Continental Congress in 1775 recognized the need for a unified military force and established the Continental Army on June 14, the Continental Navy on Oct. 13, and authorized the formation of the Continental Marines on Nov. 10. The Continental forces were disbanded after the war but were re-established in the years that followed when the need for a standing military became clear.

These stamps honor the enduring legacy and unwavering commitment of the men and women who have served and continue to serve. Each branch plays a crucial role in safeguarding American interests, standing as symbols of strength and resilience, upholding core values such as loyalty, duty, honor, and courage.

The Armed Forces stamps are three individual stamp panes featuring the respective symbols of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps against a white background.

Each stamp, designed by Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, also includes the inscriptions “250 YEARS OF SERVICE,” “SINCE 1775,” and FOREVER/USA”.

As Forever stamps, the Armed Forces stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Updated April 9th:
We had heard that this stamp would be issued in November, but the latest USA Philatelic catalogue says “Spring.”