The U.S. Postal Service released its new Global Forever stamps honoring Postcrossing today at the 2026 Boston World Exposition during the stamp show’s letter-writing theme day.
The four triangular stamps celebrate the global postcard exchange project that has connected more than 800,000 participants in over 200 countries and territories since 2005. Postcrossing members have sent and received more than 85 million postcards, fostering personal connections across borders.
“Postcrossing began with a simple idea: Receiving a postcard in the mail could brighten someone’s day,” said Sheila Holman, the Postal Service’s vice president of marketing, who dedicated the stamps. “From that one great idea grew a worldwide community built around kindness, curiosity and human connection. But what makes Postcrossing remarkable is not simply the number of postcards exchanged. It’s what those postcards represent. Each one reflects time, effort and intention.”
Holman noted the stamps arrive at a meaningful time. “While technology has transformed the ways in which people communicate, the desire for authentic connection hasn’t changed. There’s still a very human desire to reach out to one another to share experiences and to learn about people and places that are outside of our own personal worlds.”
Ana Campos, community manager for the Postcrossing website, explained the project’s origins. “In a very online world, Postcrossing is a reminder that the slow things matter. People take the time to write and connect across borders, and that small act is felt and appreciated. It’s hard to describe how happy and proud this makes us. A Postcrossing stamp feels like a little celebration of all the joy and curiosity that travels through the mail every day. This stamp issue is a recognition of the community’s passion for postcards, stamps and connection.”
Postcrossing was launched July 14, 2005, by Portuguese student Paulo Magalhães, who wanted to brighten his days with incoming mail. With help from friends including Campos, he hosted the site on a personal computer. Today, more than 300,000 postcards are in transit at any given time. U.S. members rank second in postcards sent, behind Germany.
USPS art director Antonio Alcalá, a lifelong postcard sender, designed the stamps. He chose a triangular shape to stand out internationally. “It’s an unusual shape and will surely be appreciated by recipients around the globe,” Alcalá said. “They will be special.”
Illustrator Jackson Gibbs created bright, colorful images showing postcards delivered by a rider on horseback in the American West, a scuba diver at the bottom of the sea, an astronaut in space and a figure on a motorcycle. Each carries a tiny triangular Postcrossing stamp.
Southern Maryland residents who participate in Postcrossing or send international mail can use the new Global Forever stamps at local post offices in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. The stamps carry postage equivalent to the current First-Class Mail International 1-ounce machinable letter rate and may be used to any country where that service is available. Like domestic Forever stamps, they remain valid regardless of future rate increases.
Alcalá, who has sent postcards from trips and even from home, said the stamps capture the joy of unexpected mail. “Whenever I get a postcard from someone on their travels, I think, ‘Wow, they took time out of their busy vacation to think of me.’ That’s a pretty special feeling.”
The stamps are part of the Boston 2026 World Exposition’s focus on philately and letter writing. They join other recent USPS issues celebrating human connection through mail. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #PostcrossingStamps.
Postcrossing members often include personalized notes about their hometowns, interests or daily lives. Recipients enjoy the surprise of learning about distant places, cultures or personal stories. The project promotes global understanding one postcard at a time.
The stamps are available now at the Boston exposition and will be sold nationwide at Post Offices and online at the Postal Store after the show. Southern Maryland post offices in La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick and other locations will stock them for local customers.
