BOSTON — The U.S. Postal Service dedicated its new Treasures of the Revolutionary Era prestige stamp booklet Thursday at the 2026 Boston World Exposition during the stamp show’s opening ceremony and letter-writing theme day, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The booklet features 20 First-Class Forever stamps arranged in two identical blocks of 10. The stamps highlight 10 compelling objects from the time of the American Revolution, ranging from a soldier’s powder horn and the commander-in-chief’s flag to a patriotic signboard and wampum treaty belt. Together, they tell stories of everyday choices and extraordinary events that helped shape the nation.
Southern Maryland residents in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties will be able to purchase the booklet at local post offices in La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick and other locations in the coming weeks. The stamps are particularly meaningful for the tri-county region, which has deep ties to the Revolutionary era. St. Mary’s City, founded in 1634, played an important role in early colonial history, and the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay served as vital transportation routes during the fight for independence. Local historical sites and the Southern Maryland Heritage Area passport program already connect residents with Revolutionary stories, making the new stamps a timely addition to community collections and educational programs.
“The United States hosts this event only once every 10 years,” said David Steiner, USPS postmaster general, who dedicated the prestige stamp booklet. “We are doing so this year following the Postal Service 250th anniversary celebration, and ahead of America’s own 250th birthday. This gathering is not just a showcase — it is a milestone. We’re all here to celebrate something small in size, but enormous in meaning: the postage stamp.”
The stamps are the first of seven USPS will dedicate during the expo. Art director Ethel Kessler approached the project like a curator, selecting artifacts that contribute to a larger narrative. Some objects are immediately recognizable; others are less familiar. Their juxtaposition speaks to the Revolution’s complexity.
“Each object has its own voice,” Kessler said. “But side by side, they begin to speak to one another.”
Because the artifacts vary widely in size and shape, they presented design challenges. Kessler unified the set with a bronze border that echoes tones found in some of the objects. The prestige booklet pairs the stamps with images and text that make the Revolutionary era feel immediate and tangible.
“These stamps invite us to look beyond dates and battlefields and more closely at the lives of everyday people from that era,” Steiner said. “Because at its heart, the Revolution was about people — people living through uncertain times, people making difficult, life-altering choices, and people imagining a future that did not yet exist. Two-hundred and fifty years later, with this release, we commemorate them and the lives they lived.”
The booklet enriches the experience by explaining how a spinning wheel reflects the push for self-reliance and why the Badge of Military Merit — precursor to the Purple Heart — held deep significance for ordinary soldiers.
As Global stamps are not involved, these are domestic Forever stamps that will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price regardless of future rate increases. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #TreasuresRevolutionaryEraStamps.
Southern Maryland post offices will carry the prestige booklet, allowing local collectors, educators and history enthusiasts to acquire the stamps easily. The release aligns with growing interest in the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with many local organizations planning events and educational programs throughout 2026.
The Treasures of the Revolutionary Era stamps offer an immersive encounter with history. They invite viewers to step into the Revolutionary era, see beyond dates and battles, and connect with the stories embedded in each object. In doing so, these stamps honor not only the events of the American Revolution but also the enduring spirit of independence and resilience that continues to guide the nation — including in Southern Maryland communities that trace their roots to the colonial period.
The Boston 2026 World Exposition runs through May 30. The stamps will be available nationwide at Post Offices and online at the Postal Store following the event.
