WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service issued a new 4-cent Angel’s Trumpets definitive stamp on Jan. 9, 2026, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. This release continues the low-denomination flower series that began in 2024 with stamps featuring the 1-cent Fringed Tulip, 2-cent Daffodils, 3-cent Peonies, 5-cent Red Tulips, and 10-cent Poppies and Coneflowers. The stamp depicts four peachy-pink trumpet-shaped blooms of the angel’s trumpet plant (genus Brugmansia) against a cream-colored background, with the number of flowers corresponding to the 4-cent denomination.
The angel’s trumpet is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to South America, capable of growing more than 20 feet tall in tropical, sunny climates. It is considered extinct in the wild but propagates easily, often shared among gardeners or passed down through generations as a houseplant or landscape feature. The plant produces downward-facing trumpet-shaped blooms measuring 6 to 24 inches long, known for their bold appearance and alluring scent that enhances summer evenings nationwide.
Photographer Harold Davis captured the image using backlighting on a lightbox and blending multiple exposures to achieve a luminous, translucent effect. “The point of this technique is to create a partially transparent effect using the colors that are passed through flower petals, rather than reflected by the petals, as is the case for most conventional flower photography,” Davis said. He incorporated a scan of aged paper into the composition during post-production for the background. Davis arranged the four trumpets to point upward, differing from their natural downward orientation, after testing various setups. “In the right climate and location, this is an extremely vigorous grower with spectacular flowers that no longer exist in the wild, making it a very special plant to cultivate,” Davis noted. The flowers were sourced from his Berkeley, California, neighborhood.
USPS art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp using Davis’s existing photographs. The stamp is available in panes of 20 and coils of 10,000. Customers can purchase it through the USPS Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail via USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide. The issuance is promoted with the hashtag #AngelsTrumpetStamp.
This series of low-denomination stamps provides practical options for mail users needing precise postage amounts, particularly for additional ounces or specific rates. The floral theme builds on prior USPS efforts to highlight botanical subjects, offering visually appealing designs that appeal to collectors and everyday postage needs. The 2024 releases set the foundation for this continuation, emphasizing vibrant, detailed floral imagery.
The stamp’s creation process reflects advanced photographic techniques to highlight the plant’s unique translucent qualities. Davis’s approach emphasizes transmitted light through petals, resulting in glowing colors that distinguish it from standard reflected-light photography. The upward arrangement of the blooms on the stamp enhances visual balance and symbolism for the design.
The USPS stamp program in 2026 includes diverse subjects beyond flowers, such as commemorations of historical figures, cultural milestones, and natural elements, but the Angel’s Trumpets stamp focuses on botanical beauty and utility. No first-day ceremony details beyond the issuance location were specified in announcements, though availability began immediately on Jan. 9.
This release aligns with the USPS’s ongoing provision of definitive stamps for various postage needs while celebrating natural elements. The angel’s trumpet’s status as a cultivated species no longer found in the wild adds a layer of conservation interest to its depiction.