On September 22, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service launched its Winter Landscapes Forever stamps at the INDYPEX Stamp Show in Danville, Indiana, celebrating the serene beauty of winter across the United States. The stamps, available in panes of 20 at Post Offices nationwide and online at usps.com/shopstamps, feature five distinct photographs capturing snowy scenes, designed to bring color and warmth to mail throughout the year.
The stamps, designed by USPS art director Ethel Kessler, showcase diverse winter vistas from across the country. One stamp highlights two vibrant red barns standing out against a snowy backdrop, their vivid color contrasting with surrounding trees and sky. Another depicts a long fence framed by tall, snow-laden trees, emphasizing the quiet elegance of fresh snowfall. A third features willowy evergreens cloaked in snow, set against a cloudy sky and distant hill, evoking a tranquil winter mood. The fourth stamp captures icicles hanging against a fiery sunset, with frozen waves in the background, blending drama and stillness. The final design portrays a house encircled by frosty pines under a pastel sky, a scene that mirrors the cozy winter landscapes familiar to Southern Maryland’s rural communities.
Each stamp includes “FOREVER/USA” written vertically on either side, ensuring their usability despite future rate changes. The booklet, containing four of each design, features an expanded view of the house photograph with “Winter Landscapes” in white text at the top, enhancing its visual appeal. The stamps reflect winter’s dual nature as both a season—beginning with the solstice on December 21 or 22—and a state of mind, offering something for those who cherish snowy outdoor adventures or cozy indoor moments. In Southern Maryland, where winter snows are less frequent but cherished, these images evoke the region’s occasional frosty days, particularly around areas like Point Lookout State Park or the Patuxent River.
The INDYPEX Stamp Show, hosted by the Indiana Stamp Club, provided a fitting stage for the debut, drawing collectors and enthusiasts to celebrate philatelic art. The USPS has a tradition of issuing stamps that capture seasonal beauty, and the Winter Landscapes series continues this legacy, following popular releases like the 2024 Holiday Joy stamps.
The design process, led by Kessler, involved curating images from five photographers, though their identities were not disclosed in the announcement. The selection emphasizes geographic diversity, capturing winter’s universal appeal while resonating with specific locales.
