HONOLULU (KHON2) — The United States Postal Service has revealed a first look at many of the stamps it plans to issue in 2026.
“This early preview of our 2026 stamp program underscores the Postal Service’s commitment to celebrating the artistry and storytelling that make stamps so special,” said Lisa Bobb-Semple, Stamp Services director. “Each stamp is a small work of art — an entryway into a larger story that connects people, places and moments in history.”
Bobb-Semple said this year’s program honors that legacy with a “diverse range of subjects and designs” that include beloved series, anniversaries and new ideas “that will inspire and excite collectors and admirers alike.”
These are some of the highlights from the 2026 stamp program. Designs are preliminary and may change.
4-cent Angel’s Trumpets
Photographer Harold Davis backlit the flowers on a lightbox to create a glowing look for this 4-cent stamp. It follows the 2024 flower releases, such as Peonies and Red Tulips. Ethel Kessler served as art director.
Muhammad Ali
The “Greatest of All Time,” Muhammad Ali (1942–2016), will be honored with stamps that capture his strength and charisma. Designed by Antonio Alcalá, the stamps use a 1974 Associated Press photograph of Ali in his prime, with his name repeated vertically to suggest movement, rhythm and the sound of crowds chanting “Ali!” The stamps will be issued Jan. 15 in Louisville, Kentucky, the boxer’s hometown.
Love (2026)
The annual Love stamp celebrates affection in a joyful, graphic style. Illustrator James Yang created playful pairs of birds surrounded by hearts in bright colors. The look draws on mid-century American design and Japanese picture books. Kessler designed this vibrant issue for cards and keepsakes.
Colorado Statehood
Colorado joined the Union in 1876, one hundred years after American independence. To honor the state’s 150th anniversary, the new stamp features a photograph of Jagged Mountain in the San Juan National Forest by the late nature photographer John Fielder. Designed by Derry Noyes, the stamp will be issued Jan. 24 in Denver.
Black Heritage: Phillis Wheatley
The 49th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors poet Phillis Wheatley, the first author of African descent in the Colonies to publish a book. Designed by Antonio Alcalá, it features art by Kerry James Marshall. Wheatley’s two most famous poems, “On Being Brought from Africa to America,” reflect on her forced journey from Africa and her Christian faith, and “To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth” was a political poem about liberty and her hope for freedom. The stamp will be issued Jan. 29 in Boston.
Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse
The seventh in the current Lunar New Year series features a paper-cut mask by Camille Chew, photographed by Sally Andersen-Bruce and designed by Antonio Alcalá. The stamp celebrates one of the world’s most widely observed holidays and will be issued Feb. 3 in Houston.
Bruce Lee
Actor and martial artist Bruce Lee (1940–1973) broke barriers as the first Asian leading man in American cinema. Artist Kam Mak’s painting shows Lee’s signature flying kick, set against a yellow brushstroke that echoes his famous tracksuit from “Game of Death.” Designed by Alcalá, the stamp honors Lee’s lasting influence on global culture.
Harriet Powers
Harriet Powers (1837–1910), born enslaved in the state of Georgia. She became a master quiltmaker whose work told stories through fabric. The new stamp set features scenes from her 1898 “Pictorial Quilt,” which mixes biblical imagery with local folklore. Designed by Noyes, it highlights Powers’s artistry and storytelling legacy.
Lowriders
Five classic cars showcase Mexican American and Chicano creativity and style in this vibrant set. Featured models include a blue 1946 Chevrolet Fleetline, a red 1963 Impala and a green 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Designed by Alcalá using photos by Philip Gordon and Humberto “Beto” Mendoza, the stamps celebrate the craft, culture and pride of lowrider communities.
Sunflowers
Bright and bold, this issue pays tribute to one of America’s favorite flowers. Illustrator Nancy Stahl used digital art and a minimal palette to emphasize the flower’s form and light. Designed by Greg Breeding, the Sunflowers stamps will be available in booklets of 20.
A Day at the Beach
Painter Gregory Manchess’s oil scenes capture moments of joy with swimmers, sandcastles and waves glinting in sunlight. “These little snapshots are reminiscent of those experiences — a break from busy lives and demands throughout the year,” said art director Noyes, who was inspired by summers in New England.
Figures of the American Revolution
To mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, USPS will issue a pane honoring 25 individuals from the Revolutionary era. These stamps highlight thinkers, soldiers, activists and everyday citizens who shaped a new nation. Kessler designed the pane with artwork from 13 contemporary artists.
Route 66
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the “Mother Road,” this pane features photographs by David Schwartz from each of the eight states the highway crosses. The images evoke freedom, travel and the open road that defined 20th-century America.
Bald Eagle: Hatchling to Adult
Painter and ornithologist David Allen Sibley illustrates the national bird at each life stage. “Showing the series of life stages in these stamps is a simple and visual way to emphasize that the familiar adult eagle has already lived through a series of transitional plumages,” Sibley said. Noyes designed the pane.
American Bison
The American bison, once near extinction, remains a symbol of resilience. Breeding designed this stamp using a photograph by Tom Murphy paired with art from a 1923 bison stamp, printed in the classic intaglio style.
International Peace
A photograph of an origami crane folded by artist Sue DiCicco represents hope and healing. Designed by Alcalá, it continues the Postal Service’s tradition of peace-themed issues.
Declaration of Independence
A typographic “1776” takes the shape of feather quills as it recalls the document’s signing. Designed by Juan Carlos Pagan under Breeding’s direction, the stamp honors the nation’s founding moment.
Sarah Orne Jewett
Jewett (1849–1909), a Maine author known for The Country of the Pointed Firs, is the 35th honoree in the Literary Arts series. Kessler designed the stamp using Mark Summers’s portrait set against the Maine coast.
Squirrels & Chipmunks in Winter
Noyes designed this playful booklet of 20 featuring eastern chipmunks, gray squirrels and red squirrels. “The stamps are fun and uplifting,” she said. “I hope they make people smile, especially in the heart of winter.”
Resources
Customers can buy stamps and related products through:
- The Postal Store website.
- By calling 844-737-7826.
- By mail through USA Philatelic.
- At select Post Office locations.
Licensed products are available on Amazon under the USPS Officially Licensed Collection. Stories behind the stamps are featured here.
USPS has created a diverse selection of stamps that are great for collecting or just enjoying.