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2024 US stamp program is here!

by | Nov 1, 2023

Hard to believe the 2024 US stamp program is here.  It feels like I just wrote about the 2023 season. The usual caveat applies –  there will be changes as the year progresses. Changes will include late additions, release dates added and special first day release ceremonies will be included again.  I’m saving details on some of the stamps and artists for later. Can’t release everything at once! 

So far, I think this may be the best program in years. There is a lot to love about the upcoming season starting with the Underground Railroad set:

Underground Railroad USA 2024 

The history alone behind this set may turn into a separate article because there is a lot to explore. I’ll have to think about how to approach this carefully.  The layout is interesting on its own; designer Antonio Alcalá’s approach is worth talking about. Normally a wall of text is impossible to translate onto a small rectangle like a stamp, but the use of colours, contrast and blocky font draws your eyes to the set immediately. Fascinating how Alcalá set this up. But, as I said, saving most of the details for later. 

The fun star of 2024 is the Pinback stamps, a set of 10 stamps by 10 artists. This must have been an interesting job to oversee. As soon as I saw the set, I thought I recognised the style on one of them.  Check out the Yes! button. 

Pinback Buttons USA 2024 

Yes indeed! Ryan Feerer has made a return to stamp design duties. Feerer produced one of the best designs of 2021 with his Western Wear set.

Western Wear stamps 

They were Ryan’s first stamps, and a set he was very proud of creating. “My grandfather was a postmaster in a small New Mexico town. He would’ve been so proud!”  Ryan in June 2021.  I hope the powers that be over at the USPS find a new project for Ryan in the very near future. 

Lots to talk about this year. And I’m actually quite excited about what I’ve seen so far. I just may have to try and collect all the 2024 stamps this year. 

January

James Webb Space Telescope

James Webb Space Telescope Pillars of Creation  James Webb Space Telescope Cosmic Cliffs
2024 US stamp program

James Webb Space Telescope James Webb Space Telescope  

James Webb Space Telescope James Webb Space Telescope James Webb Space Telescope James Webb Space Telescope

2 stamps, 2 block of 4, 4 FDCs, 4 cancels

  • Pillars of Creation (Priority Mail)
  • Cosmic Cliffs (Priority Mail Express)

Photos: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA), the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency and
the Space Telescope Science Institute
Designer: Greg Breeding

Release date: January 22, 2024


Lunar New Year ∙ Year of the Dragon

Lunar New Year ∙ Year of the Dragon
 USA 2024

Lunar New Year ∙ Year of the Dragon commemorative 

Lunar New Year ∙ Year of the Dragon FDC Lunar New Year ∙ Year of the Dragon FDC 

Lunar New Year ∙ Year of the Dragon red envelopes Lunar New Year ∙ Year of the Dragon matte  

Lunar New Year ∙ Year of the Dragon pin Lunar New Year ∙ Year of the Dragon sheet 

1 stamp, commemorative sheet, 2 FDCs, 2 cancels (digital colour cancel and black cancel), red covers, matte mounted, pin, sheets of 20
offset

This is the 5th in the current Lunar cycle by Camille Chew.  Her designs use a traditional paper-cut art style, that takes on a 3d effect. Once again Chew has designed the central figure in the form of a decorated dance, similar to ones used in Lunar NY parades.  

Artist: Camille Chew
Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Release date: January 25, 2024


Constance Baker Motley (1921–2005)
Black Heritage Month

Constance Baker Motley (1921–2005)

Constance Baker Motley (1921–2005)
Black Heritage Month info page 

Constance Baker Motley (1921–2005)
Black Heritage Month FDC Constance Baker Motley (1921–2005)
Black Heritage Month FDC 

Constance Baker Motley (1921–2005)
Black Heritage Month sheet Constance Baker Motley (1921–2005)
Black Heritage Month framed stamp Constance Baker Motley (1921–2005)
Black Heritage Month field notes

1 stamp, commemorative panel, 2 FDCs, 2 cancels (digital colour cancel and black cancel),, sheets of 20, framed stamp, field note journal
offset

Constance Baker Motley ushers in the 47th stamp in this beloved series celebrating Black Heritage. She began her legendary career as a law clerk for Thurgood Marshal at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense and Education Fund. She played a key role in the fight to desegregate the US, which included winning 9 out of 10 cases argued before the US Supreme Court.  

In 1964, Motley became the first Black woman elected to the New York State Senate; in 1965 she was chosen Manhattan Borough President – the first woman and first Black American in that position; and in 1966, President Johnson named her a Federal Court judge – the first Black woman so named. Known as an incisive and capable judge, Motley believed her presence made a difference: “As the first black and first woman, I am proving in everything I do that blacks and women are as capable as anyone.” Motley, Constance Baker | Women of the Hall

Little Known Black History Fact: Constance Baker Motley (blackamericaweb.com)
Constance Baker Motley : Unsung Civil Rights Trailblazer 1921-2005 – WednesdaysWomen

Artist: Charly Palmer

… in every painting, he bears witness of African ancestry and contemporary experiences — rhythmic, visual stories that shifts what each viewer believes to see — should one dare to look deeply.

Palmer has an innate awareness of documenting the intricacies of Blackness with such depth, patterns, symbols, and textures that it is easy to forget that he begins with a blank canvas. The ways in which he applies acrylic is somewhat its own aesthetic that transcends where one’s thought begins and ends. 
from Palmer’s bio page ABOUT | Charlypalmer.com

This is the first time Palmer’s artwork has appeared on a stamp. 
Designer: Derry Noyes

Release date: January 31, 2024


February  

Saul Bellow (1915-2005)

Saul Bellow (1915-2005)
Saul Bellow (1915-2005) Saul Bellow (1915-2005) 

Saul Bellow (1915-2005)

1 stamp, 2 FDCs, 2 cancels (digital colour cancel and black cancel),, sheets of 20
offset
 
One of the great 20th c authors. Winner of a Pulitzer Prize, 3 National Book Awards, National Medal of Arts and a Nobel Prize to name just a few. 

Artist: Joe Ciardiello 
Award winning artist Ciardiello has a long and storied career as an illustrator. His works have appeared on covers/albums for Capitol Records, Folio Society, The Nation, The New York Times Book Review, The New Yorker, Penguin Random House, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Rolling Stone, Sunset Blvd Records, Time and the Wall St. Journal, to name but a few of the publications that have hired him. 
This is Ciardiello’s first stamp for USPS Portfolios from Joe Ciardiello
Designer: Ethel Kessler

Release date: February 6, 2024


Love

 Love 2024
Love 2024 Love 2024

Love 2024 sheet

1 stamp, 2 FDCs, 2 cancels (digital colour cancel and black cancel), sheets of 20
offset, microprint

This is the latest in a long history of Love stamps that now stretches back 51 issues.  

Artist: Katie Kirk
This is Katie’s second stamp design for USPS. Her first was the 2023 Winter Woodland Animals  
Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Release date: February 12, 2024


Radiant Star

Radiant Star USA 2024 

Radiant Star FDC 

1 stamp, FDC, cancel

Artist: Carol Beehler
Beehler designed the 2023 Patriotic stamp block
Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Release date: February 19, 2024


UCLA Coach John Wooden

UCLA Coach John Wooden 

UCLA Coach John Wooden UCLA Coach John Wooden 

UCLA Coach John Wooden UCLA Coach John Wooden 

John wooden commemorative panel

1 stamp, 2 fdcs,2 cancels (digital colour cancel and black cancel),, framed stamp, sheets of 20, commemorative panel
offset, microprint

Official Site of Coach Wooden

Artist: Alexis Franklin 
This is digital artist Franklin’s first stamp.    

I started out, as most artists do, pencil drawing at a very young age. Eventually, I dabbled in water colors and colored pencil until I discovered drawing tablets. I asked for one for Christmas at the age of eighteen and never looked back. About — Alexis Franklin (alexisfranklinart.com)

Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Release date: February 24, 2024


March

Underground Railroad

Underground Railroad USA 2024 

Underground Railroad FDC Underground Railroad FDCUnderground Railroad

10 stamps, sheets of 20 (2 stamps each), proof pack (includes info brochure and 7 progressive proofs), 20 FDCs, 2 cancels (digital colour cancel and black cancel),
offset

This series features:

Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Release date: March 9, 2024


Bluegrass

Bluegrass USA 2024  

Bluegrass FDCBluegrass FDC 

Bluegrass framed Bluegrass commemorative 

Bluegrass pin Bluegrass ceremony pack 

Bluegrass matte Bluegrass fieldnotes

1 stamp, 2 FDCs, 2 cancels (digital colour cancel and black cancel),, framed stamp, commemorative page, pin, ceremony pack, matte mounted, joural
offset

This stamp was also released as an NFT Crypto stamp.

Bluegrass is a singularly American music style, bluegrass blends old-time folk and fiddle music with elements of the blues, jazz, country and gospel. Born in the mid-20th century, bluegrass defies time, drawing inspiration from the past while also openly embracing innovation.

The signature sound of bluegrass relies on a mix of acoustic string instruments. The five-string banjo dominates and, along with guitar, mandolin, and bass, sets the rhythmic foundation of this often fast-paced music. Fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and guitar evoke a range of melodic flavors and emotions in their solos and backup. Postal Service to Pay Tribute to Bluegrass Music – Newsroom – About.usps.com

Artist: Heather Moulder
Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Release date: March 15, 2024


Garden Delights

Garden Delights  

Garden Delights Garden Delights 

Garden Delights note cards

4 stamps, 2 sets of 4 FDCs, 2 cancels (digital colour cancel and black cancel),, notecards, booklets of 10
offset

Photographs: Ben King
Ben King specialises in bird photography. 
“It is extremely rewarding and equally humbling to think that these moments in creation which were a gift to me, will spread a little bit of the joy I experienced around the country!” Ben King: Wildlife Photographer (@bknaturephoto) • Instagram photos and videos
Designer: Greg Breeding

Release date: March 16, 2024


Blooms

Wedding Blooms Celebration blooms 2024  
Wedding blooms
Celebration blooms Wedding blooms
Celebration blooms 

Wedding blooms
Celebration blooms Wedding blooms
Celebration blooms

  Wedding blooms
Celebration blooms Wedding blooms
Celebration blooms Wedding blooms
Celebration blooms

2 stamps, 4 FDCs, 3 cancels (digital colour cancel and black cancel), notepaper
offset, microprint

  • Wedding blooms
  • Celebration blooms

Artist: Kim Parker
Kim Parker is well known for her bold floral designs that have graced both wallpaper and fabrics.  
Designer: Derry Noyes

Release date: March 22, 2024


Save the Manatees

Save the Manatees USA 2024

https://savethemanatee.org/ https://savethemanatee.org/ 

https://savethemanatee.org/

1 stamp, 2 FDCs, with digital colour cancel and black cancel, booklets of 12, field journal 
offset, microprint

Save the Manatee Club

Artist: Nancy Stahl
Stahl’s first stamp was the 2007 Fauna series. Other designs include 2022 Women’s Rowing and 2024 Broad-billed Hummingbird.  She was inducted into the Illustrators Hall of Fame by the Society of Illustrators in 2012, She works extensively with digital art and was one of a select group picked to test various versions of Adobe’s Photoshop.  Nancy Stahl – Society of Illustrators (societyillustrators.org)
Designer: Derry Noyes

Release date: March 27, 2024


April

Betty Ford (1918-2011)

Betty Ford (1918-2011)

Betty Ford (1918-2011) Betty Ford (1918-2011)

Betty Ford (1918-2011) Betty Ford (1918-2011)

commemorative panel Betty Ford Ceremonial pack

1 stamp, 2 FDCs, with digital colour cancel and black cancel, sheets of 20, framed stamps, commemorative panel, ceremony pack

Betty Ford – White House Historical Association (whitehousehistory.org)

Designer: Derry Noyes using artist Felix de Cossio’s 1977 oil painting
de Cossio created both Gerald and Betty Ford’s official portraits. 

Release date: April 5, 2024


$1 Floral Geometry

$1 Floral Geometry  
121821 L0 121816 L0 

121804 Z0

1 stamp, 2 FDCs, with digital colour cancel and black cancel, sheets of 10
foil stamping, offset, microprint

The first Floral Geometry stamp was issued in 2022. 

 Watercolor background with a foil-stamped design   

Previous stamps in this series:

Floral GeometryFloral GeometryFloral Geometry 

Artist: Spaeth Hill
Spaeth Hill design team has created all the Floral Geometry stamps.

Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Release date: April 26, 2024


May

Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams 

Ansel Adams Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams 

16 stamps on a sheet, 2 sets of 16 FDCs, with digital colour cancel and black cancel, 4 fieldnote journals

Photos used by row:

First row:
“Half Dome, Merced River, Winter, Yosemite National Park, California” (1938); “Oak Tree, Sunset City, Sierra Foothills, California” (1962); “Thundercloud, Ellery Lake, High Sierra, Sierra Nevada, California” (1934); and “Denali and Wonder Lake, Denali National Park, Alaska” (1947).

Second row:
“The Golden Gate and Bridge from Baker Beach, San Francisco, California” (c.1953); “Road and Fog, Del Monte Forest, Pebble Beach, California” (1964); “Rock and Grass, Moraine Lake, Sequoia National Park, California” (1936); and “Leaves, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington” (c.1942).

Third row:
“Monument Valley, Arizona” (1958); “Tetons and Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming” (1942); “Jeffrey Pine, Sentinel Dome, Yosemite National Park, California” (1940); and “Mirror Lake, Mount Watkins, Spring, Yosemite National Park, California” (1935).

Fourth row:
“Maroon Bells, near Aspen, Colorado” (1951); “Aspens, Dawn, Autumn, Dolores River Canyon, Colorado” (1937); “Road After Rain, Northern California” (1960); and “Dunes, Oceano, California” (1963).

Release date: May 5, 2024 


June

Carnival Nights  #CarnivalNightsStamps

Carnival Nights  #CarnivalNightsStamps 

Carnival Nights  #CarnivalNightsStamps FDC balck cancel Carnival Nights  #CarnivalNightsStamps FDC Carnival Nights field notes

20 stamps, 2 sets of 16 FDCs, with digital colour cancel and black cancel, 5 fieldnote journals
offset

Designer: Greg Breeding

Release date: June 6, 2024


Protect Sea Turtles – #ProtectSeaTurtlesStamps

Protect Sea Turtles 2024 

Sea Turtles sheet  

Sea turtles pin back Sea turtles fdc colour cancel Sea turtles fdc  black cancel

6 stamps, sheet of 18, pinback with the canceled card, portfolio, 2 sets of FDCs with digital colour cancel and black cancel
offset

Endangered sea turtles: 

  • loggerhead – James D. Watt, photographer
  • leatherback – Rowan Byrne, photographer
  • hawksbill – Claudio Contreras, photographer
  • Kemp’s ridley – Doug Perrine, photographer
  • olive ridley – Solvin Zankl, photographer
  • green sea turtle – David B. Fleetham, photographer

Sea Turtle | Species | WWF (worldwildlife.org)

Designer: Derry Noyes

Release date: June 11, 2024 


Horses

Horses USA 2024 Horses pony express sheet of five 

Horses pony express FDCs one Horses pony express FDCs one 

Horses pony express Ceremony momento Horses pony express FDCs one portfolio Horses pony express notecards 

Horses pony express pinback

5 stamps, sheet of 5, 2 sets of FDCs with digital colour cancel and black cancel, ceremony memento pack, portfolio, notecards (includes envelopes and stamps), pinback, field journals
offset

Issued for the 64th Pony Express Re-Ride, a 10 day annual event that runs between St. Joseph, MO, to Sacramento, CA. The original Pony Express was short lived, running from 1860 and 1861, delivering mail in relays across a 1,966-mile route.

Photographs: Stephanie Moon and Karen Wegehenkel
Designer: Derry Noyes

Release date: June 17, 2024


Shaker Design

Shaker Design 2024 

Shaker design stamp sheet 

Shaker design stamp  momento Shaker design stamp  FDC Shaker design stamp  FDC

12 stamps, sheet of 12, stamp ceremony memento, 2 sets of FDCs with digital colour cancel and black cancel
offset

This is the 250th anniversary of Shaker society in the US.    

Stamps from left to right:

  • a meeting room at Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, MA
  • the tannery at the Shaker Village of Mount Lebanon, New Lebanon, NY
  • a spinning wheel from Fruitlands Museum, Harvard, MA
  • staircases in the Trustees’ Office and Guest House at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, KY.
  • dwelling house hallway and silk neckerchiefs from South Union Shaker Village, Auburn, KY
  • a rocking chair from Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury, NH;
  • “swallowtail” joints of a bentwood box from Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield.
  • a heater stove at Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
  • cupboard with bentwood boxes and a collection of bentwood boxes and carriers at Fruitlands Museum, Harvard;
  • cheese baskets in the dairy at Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield.

Selvage:  Brother Ricardo Belden (1868-1958) in his workshop at Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield. Photographer: Samuel Kravitt @1935.

The Shakers Religion & Community | Ken Burns | PBS | The Shakers | Ken Burns | PBS 

Shaker Heritage Society – America’s First Shaker Settlement

Photographs: Michael Freeman
Designer: Derry Noyes

Release date: June 20, 2024 


Northern Pintail Duck – 2024-2025 Federal Duck Stamp

Northern Pintail Duck - 2024-2025 Federal Duck Stamp
Northern Pintail Duck - 2024-2025 Federal Duck Stamp 

Northern Pintail Duck - 2024-2025 Federal Duck Stamp

Northern Pintail Duck - 2024-2025 Federal Duck Stamp

1 stamp, souvenir sheet, sheets of 20, FDC, cancel
offset, microprint, flexographic

Not valid for postage. Used on hunting licenses. Highly sought after stamps. Some specialise in collecting hunting stamps. 

The annual duck stamp began in 1934, with a portion of the fee going to wetland preservation. To date, over a billion dollars has been raised and 6 million acres of wetlands preserved. 

Painting: Graceful Anticipation, oil on canvas. You can purchase prints of the original painting at Montana-based Artist Chuck Black – Chuck Black Art

Artist: Chuck Black

Release date: June 28, 2024


July

U.S. Flags

U.S. Flags 

Laura Stutzman Laura Stutzman

4 stamps, 2 sets of FDCs with digital colour cancel and black cancel

Artist: Laura Stutzman
Stutzman also designed the 2022 flag stamps.
Designer: Ethel Kessler

Release date: July 4, 2024 


Flowers  

Flowers   Flowers  Flowers  

Flowers   Flowers  

5 stamps, 5 FDCs, cancel 
offset, microprint

Each denomination shows the equal number of flowers

  • 1 purple fringed tulip.
  • 2 yellow daffodil blossoms.
  • 3 red peonies.
  • 5 red tulip blossoms.
  • 10 flowers: six white poppies and four purple coneflowers 

Photographer: Harold Davis
Davis uses a combination of digital painting and photography to create the images.
Designer: Ethel Kessler

Release date: July 18, 2024


Alex Trebek

Jeopardy stamps

Alex Trebek

Alex TrebekAlex Trebek

1 stamp, sheets of 20, 2 FDCs with digital colour cancel and black cancel
offset, microprint

Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Release date: July 22, 2024


Henry “Hank” Aaron (1934–2021) – 50th Anniversary of Eclipsing Homerun Record

Henry “Hank” Aaron (1934–2021) - 50th Anniversary of Eclipsing Homerun Record

Hank Aaron  

Henry “Hank” Aaron (1934–2021) - 50th Anniversary of Eclipsing Homerun Record Henry “Hank” Aaron (1934–2021) - 50th Anniversary of Eclipsing Homerun Record

1 stamp, sheets of 20, 2 FDCs with digital colour cancel and black cancel
offset, microprint

Designer: Greg Breeding
Artist: Chuck Styles

Release date: July 31, 2024


August

Dungeons & Dragons –  Gen Con Indy 2024

Dungeons & Dragons -  Gen Con Indy 2024 Dungeons & Dragons -  Gen Con Indy 2024

dungeons-dragons-stamps 

dungeons-dragons-stamps dungeons-dragons-stamps dungeons-dragons-stampsDungeons & Dragons -  Gen Con Indy 2024

10 stamps, sheets of 20, 2 sets of FDCs with digital colour cancel and black cancel, notecard set, pins are also available, field notebooks (3 Character Journals, 1 Monster/Encounter Journal and 1 Game Master Journal)
offset, microprint

Field journals include 2 different stamps, applied randomly, so you don’t know which you’ll get. The journals include pages to track statistics, monster, spells, treasures and more. They are designed with helping D&Ders track their game progress. 

** If you pick up the notecard set, would you send me photos of what they look like for this page? Thanks. 

Release date coincides with Gen Con Indy 2024 . 

Gen Con | Gen Con Indy 2024

Designer: Greg Breeding
Breeding with be at the Lucas Oil Stadium at 10 a.m. the day of the release for an autograph session  

Release date: August 1, 2024   


Pinback Buttons

Pinback Buttons USA 2024  

 

Pinback Buttons fdcs Pinback Buttons FDCs

Pinback Buttons portfolio Pinback Buttons field notes
10 stamps by 10 artists, 2 sets of FDCs with digital colour cancel and black cancel, pinback stamp portfolio (includes collectible
cancellation card with random stamp and pane of 20 Pinback Buttons), fieldnote books, set of notecards
offset, flexographic

 Artists:

  • Don Clark – Smile
  • Tré Seals – Hello!
    Seals is founder of Vocal Type.
  • Jay Fletcher – Peace
  • Juan Carlos Pagan – Love
  • Gia Graham – Fun
  • Jeff Rogers – Sweet
  • Ryan Feerer – Yes!
    Ryan burst onto the stamp design world with his first set in 2021 Western Wear
  • Lisa Congdon – Cheers
  • DKNG Studios – Kudos! 
  •  Gina Triplett – Happy

Each artist was given free reign in the design of their button stamp. The 10 designs were kept secret, so each artist was unaware of what the other designs looked like. Despite the secrecy, the set came out with a coherent and lively design, thanks to the overall management of Greg Breeding. 

This set was released at the The Great American Stamp Show held in Connecticut. Pinbacks have been popular collectables and with the first mass produced ones in 1896, they became a fun inexpensive memento for special events. The 1896 pinbacks were given out for the McKinley and Bryan presidential campaigns. 

McKinley and Bryan got lucky, because that year Whitehead and Hoag in Newark, N.J., patented pin-back celluloid buttons, meaning they had a metal back with a straight pin and, on the front, celluloid covering to protect the image. Due to newly inexpensive printing technology, and low costs for the materials needed for the Whitehead and Hoag’s buttons, candidates could afford to widely distribute them and use them as true campaigning tools. Presidential Campaign Buttons and Pins: The Inside Story | TIME

The article above is a fantastic motherload of historical information on pinbacks and their enduring popularity. 

Most often stamp subjects are challenging to design because of their small dimensions. Coincidentally, pinback buttons are relatively the same size as many stamps and, similarly, are designed for immediate visual impact. For art director Greg Breeding, the decision to make the Pinback Buttons stamps look like real buttons was almost obvious.
USPS Philatelic Catalogue Summer 2024, p. 10

Designer: Greg Breeding

Release date: August 15, 2024


Autumn Colors

Autumn Colors USA 2024

Autumn Colors 

Autumn Colors Autumn Colors Autumn Colors 

10 stamps, sheets of 20 (10×2), 2 sets of FDCs with digital colour cancel and black cancel, notecard set with stamps
offset, microprint

The pane of 20 stamps shows a portfolio of 10 brilliant photographs taken by renowned nature and garden photographer Allen Rokach (1941–2021). Rokach often used what he called the “Rokach effect,” a technique that gives photos an impressionistic cast. In addition to the classic autumn colors of orange, red and yellow, the photographs show flashes of vermilion, ocher, violet and cobalt in different landscapes. 
USPS Media announcement July 9, 2024

A release ceremony will be held at the Great American Stamp Show in Connecticut

Friday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m. EDT

Where:

The Great American Stamp Show
Connecticut Convention Center

Photographer: Allen Rokach (1941–2021)

Designer: Ethel Kessler

Release date: August 16, 2024


September

First Continental Congress, 1774

First Continental Congress, 1774 USA 2024 

First Continental Congress, 1774 First Continental Congress, 1774 

First Continental Congress, 1774

1 stamp, 2 sets of FDCs with digital colour cancel and black cancel, sheets of 20
offset, microprint

First Continental Congress was held in 1774, with 12 of the 13 colonies participating. 56 delegates arrived to attend this historic event.  This stamp set will be released to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the first meeting. 

A release ceremony will be held on that day at:

Carpenters’ Hall
320 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Release date: September 5, 2024


Christmas 2024 – Madonna and Child

Christmas Madonna and Child USA 2024 

Christmas 2024 - Madonna and Child fdc 1 Christmas 2024 - Madonna and Child fdc 2

Christmas 2024 - Madonna and Child presentation pack

1 stamp, 1 FDC with 2 cancels to collect, special ceremony mementoes
offset, microprint

This starts a new series using traditional Christmas motifs

Painting: Madonna and Child
Artist: Workshop of Sassoferrato.Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato (1609-1685). 
Location: Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields with participation of William Gicker who acted as  director of stamp services for 25 years.

Designer: Greg Breeding

Release date: September 14, 2024


Holiday Joy

Holiday Joy Christmas bulb Holiday Joy snow flake Holiday Joy second Christmas bulb Holiday Joy pointsetta Holiday Joy note paper Holiday Joy momento  Holiday Joy fdc Holiday Joy fdc

4 stamps, 4 FDCs with 2 cancels, note cards (with stamps), special ceremony mementoes
offset. 

USPS’ annual secular Christmas greeting includes 2 Christmas bulbs, a poinsettia and a snowflake stamp by Mexican-American artist Michelle Muñoz. You can see more of her artwork here Michelle Munoz.

If someone would’ve told me a few years ago that I would get the chance to have a nationwide stamp collection, I wouldn’t have believed it. Having my artwork reach such a large scale was something I never planned, but something I am incredibly grateful for.

My goal when creating these stamps was to ensure my Mexican roots would not only be represented, but also celebrated. While this project is a big milestone in my creative career, the most special part is it has allowed me the opportunity to represent many Latinas/os.
Artist Michelle Muñoz

Digital artist: Michelle Muñoz

Release date: September 14, 2024


Hanukkah

Hanukkah USA 2024

Hanukkah fdc Hanukkah fdc 

Hanukkah souvenir setHanukkah sheet of stamps

1 stamp, 1 FDC with 2 cancels to collect, special ceremony mementoes, sheets of 20
offset, microprint

“Designing the 2024 Hanukkah stamp is an honor and privilege.” said Alcalá. “The imperfect ink-drawn lines of the artwork are to lend a human presence to the image. The flames are shown, but the candles themselves are not present. They’re implied, and to me, that alludes to an aspect of faith that’s both tied to this ceremony and to the larger religious experience.”
U.S. Postal Service Dedicates Hanukkah Stamp – Newsroom – About.usps.com

 
Designer: Antonio Alcalá

Release date: September 19, 2024


Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa 2024 USA 

Kwanzaa fdc 1  Kwanzaa fdc2

Kwanzaa ceremony packKwanzaa sheet of stamps

1 stamp, 1 FDC with 2 cancels to collect, special ceremony mementoes, sheets of 20
offset, microprint

[This stamp] was inspired by a live performance by dancers from OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, witnessed by artist Ekua Holmes, during a Kwanzaa event in Roxbury, MA. The stamp depicts three young performers — a male drummer and behind and to either side of him, two female dancers. He wears a dark blue, green, and orange kufi; a white shirt, and pants with a geometric black and white mud cloth-like pattern. His djembe — blue with a white drumhead — hangs from his neck by a red strap. The two dancers wear orange dresses and gold jewelry. One has a red hair band and all three figures have silhouetted black skin and hair. The floor beneath their feet is diamond patterned in shades of green, while the background features triangles in shades of red. Each dancer extends a knee and a bit of orange skirt beyond the image frame, into the white margin of the stamp.
USPS Unveils Kwanzaa Stamp to Celebrate African American Heritage – Newsroom – About.usps.com

Learn more about Kwanza here: 

The history and origins of Kwanzaa covers a broad expanse of time and space. It is grounded in African harvest celebrations that began at the dawn of advanced human civilizations as we developed more effective ways to grow food, feed ourselves, and thrive. Kwanzaa emerged from its grounding in ancient African history to come into existence during the 1960’s Black Freedom Movement as Black Americans sought to restore our connections to the best of African culture and history. 
The History and Origins of Kwanzaa: Uncovering Its Roots and Branches – Kwanzaa.org 

This is the 10th Kwanza stamp to be released. LA artist Synthia Saint James designed the first stamp which was released in 1997.

Synthia Saint James first Kwanza stamp

Artist: Ekua Holmes
Holmes has produced one of the most vibrant and exciting stamps of 2024 for USPS using a unique combination of styles –  “collage based and her subjects, made from cut and torn papers, investigate family histories, relationship dynamics, childhood impressions, the power of hope, faith, and self-determination”. About — Ekua Holmes
Designer: Ethel Kessler 

Release date: September 25, 2024


October

Health Care Heroes

Health Care Heroes

Health Care Heroes fdc Health Care Heroes fdc

Health Care Heroes sheet 485833 L0 Health Care Heroes souvenir pack

Health Care Heroes stickers Health Care Heroes journals

 

1 stamp, 1 FDC with 2 cancels, sheets of 20, souvenir pin, special ceremony mementoes, 3 stickers, field notes
offset, microprint

 

Designer: Brian Duefrene

Release date: October 3, 2024


Winter Whimsy

Winter Whimsey USA 2024 2024 US stamp program

Winter Whimsy FDC Winter Whimsy fdc

1 stamp, 4 FDCs with 2 cancels 
offset

Artist: Bailey Sullivan
Designer: Greg Breeding

Release date: October 10, 2024 


 

Support = more content & frequent updates

There are two ways you can support Bitter Grounds

a donation via Buy me a Coffee

or

You can also buy some fun t-shirts, stickers, magnets and totes at my Merchandise Emporium
Among the philately related images you can buy are unique Cinderella airmails I’ve been creating.

 

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Bitter Grounds Magazine
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