WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service will release new Forever stamps and a 32-page prestige booklet on July 23, 2025, to commemorate 250 years of service to the nation. The first-day-of-issue event, free and open to the public, will take place at noon ET at USPS headquarters, located at 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260. Attendees are encouraged to register at https://www.usps.com/usps250years. The release is being promoted with the hashtags #250YearsofDelivering and #USPS250booklet.
The 250 Years of Delivering stamps feature 20 interconnected designs illustrating a mail carrier’s daily route through a bustling town across four seasons. Arranged in four rows of five, the stamps form a sequential narrative, progressing from top-left to bottom-right. Artist Chris Ware created the artwork, collaborating with USPS art director Antonio Alcalá on the pane’s design.
The “Putting a Stamp on the American Experience” prestige booklet showcases the breadth of the USPS stamp program, highlighting popular subjects and series. It includes two exclusive sheets of a new Forever stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin, the first postmaster general, in a modern reinterpretation of a 5-cent stamp from 1847. The booklet, designed by USPS art director Ethel Kessler, is available only through the Postal Store, by calling 844-737-7826, or via USA Philatelic.
Established in 1775, the U.S. Postal Service played a pivotal role in American independence, earning a mention in the U.S. Constitution. For 250 years, it has connected individuals, communities, and businesses, handling 44 percent of global mail despite the U.S. comprising only 4 percent of the world’s population. The service delivers to nearly 169 million addresses nationwide, enduring snow, rain, heat, and darkness to maintain reliable service.
Benjamin Franklin, appointed postmaster general by the Second Continental Congress in 1775, recognized the postal system’s potential to unite the Colonies. A printer, scientist, and diplomat, Franklin appeared on over 100 U.S. stamp releases in the program’s 178-year history. His legacy of adaptability and innovation continues to shape the modern Postal Service.
The 250 Years of Delivering stamps offer a bird’s-eye view of a community, capturing the daily rhythm of mail delivery. Each stamp serves as a frame of sequential art, depicting the carrier’s journey through changing seasons. The prestige booklet, meanwhile, provides an in-depth look at the stamp program’s diversity, with the Franklin stamp exclusive to this release.
The USPS has long used stamps to reflect American culture and history. The new releases celebrate both the Postal Service’s enduring mission and its role in documenting the nation’s story. The event at USPS headquarters will mark a milestone in this legacy, inviting the public to join in commemorating 250 years of service.
