Virtual Stamp Club

The rules haven't changed but some U.S. post office clerks apparently don't know that they can postmark and then hand back philatelic items to customers. The USPS issued a "Retail Service Talk" recently reminding them of that, including citing its Postal Operations Manual, and we have a copy you can download and take with you on your Postmark Pursuits.

The U.S. Postal Service has announced more than 25 of the issues it plans for 2026. They include obvious choices like the Declaration of Independence, Colorado Statehood and Year of the Horse, but some surprises like Barbie, Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee. We have pictures of every announced issue.

Here's the list:

U.S. 2026 Stamp Program

Last Updated May 24: Mister Rogers was the overwhelming winner of the Encore Poll. A reprint of the 2018 and a souvenir sheet with four new stamps was issued. Details here (developing story).

USPS Seeks Rate Hike In July. The basic letter rate would go to 82¢ on July 12^th.

USPS Gets "Temporary" Fuel Surcharge for its shipping services (Priority and Express Mail, Ground Advantage, Parcel Select), but not first-class mail. The increase will run from April 26 through January 17 — unless of course the surcharge becomes permanent, like much of last winter's holiday surcharge.

Garfield the Cat on Dutch Stamps The comic strip has been popular with the Dutch for nearly 50 years. The new isue includes five postage stamps and a 24k gold stamp, too.

Britain Celebrates Queen Elizabeth II This would have been the monarch's centenary. She was born in the aftermath of the First World War, raised during the second, and reigned during the Jet Age, Space Age and Digital Age. Eight of the stamps commemorate her life, while four note her love of dogs and horses.

Canada's 2026 Stamp Program Canada Post isn't providing much detail. The Black History issue features hip-hop artists and there will be issues for Quebec's cabanes à sucre (sugar shacks), blood donations, wolves, jack o' lanterns, Chinese-Canadian undercover agents and the Royal Canadian Legion (left), plus new entries in the Truth & Reconciliation, flowers, Eid, Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas series. See the initial announcement.

FDC Cachet Catalogues Republished Long out of print and hard to find, the Mellone first day cover cachet catalogues have been republished in digital form by the American First Day Cover Society. They cover issues from 1901 through the 1950s, and the 1960s catalogue is on the way. (Don't worry, you can also get "hard copies.") Details are here.

"Help! I just inherited this stamp collection!"
Just been given Aunt Matilda's old stamp collection and don't know what to do with it? We can help.

Want to Know What Other Collectors Think? The Virtual Stamp Club has its own comments section as well as a Facebook Group. Or visit the former home of The VSC (1996-2013), now called The Stamp Collecting Forum.

Quotable: "It certainly is a beautiful day in your stamp expo neighborhood."
— David "Mr. McFeely" Newell, at the Mister Rogers Encore first-day ceremony

Last Updated June 4