This stamp was announced by the USPS on March 6th:
First established during the Revolutionary War as the American colonies fought for independence, the U.S. Navy is now at the forefront of cutting-edge technology that safeguards the maritime interests of the United States, ensuring economic prosperity and the freedom of the seas. Featuring the emblem of the Navy against a white background, this stamp celebrates the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary. 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 April 18th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:
The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.8″ x 1.2″
The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.7″ x 1.2″
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 486900). 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: 486900
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: 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 six (6) 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 (486900) • 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 October, but the latest USA Philatelic catalogue says “Spring.”
Named after the Greek goddess of love, ‘Cytherea’ is a cherry rose “semi-double” – meaning that it has two or more rows of petals. ‘Marie-Victorin’ is a symmetrical, globe-shaped flower composed of a single row of rounded, pale pink petals with purple-pink flares. It was named after the founder of the Montréal Botanical Garden.
