Director Stamp Services
A Celebration of Stamps
I recently spent an incredibly rewarding eight days at the World Stamp Show in Boston, an event that only comes to the U.S. once every 10 years. The energy at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center was strong from the start, and there was a real sense that stamps and the global mailing system are still essential to many people. It also felt especially meaningful to gather at this moment, as the nation marks its 250th anniversary.
As a key sponsor of the World Stamp Show, the U.S. Postal Service brought something special to this international exhibition, which drew together collectors, longtime enthusiasts and plenty of people who were simply curious to learn more about stamps.
One of the biggest highlights came during the May 23 opening ceremony, when Postmaster General David Steiner dedicated Treasures of the Revolutionary Era, a 20-stamp prestige booklet honoring the people, objects and ideals that shape the nation. Because prestige booklets are rare for us, this first-day-of-issue was a particularly memorable way to kick off the show and introduce one of our major 250th anniversary releases in such a celebratory setting.
This ceremony set a great tone for the entire eight days. My Stamps Services team and I kept the momentum going by presenting a strong mix of stamp subjects, artistic styles and formats daily. The show organizers did a fabulous job keeping things fresh with insightful sessions hosted by industry players.
This was my first World Stamp Show, so the entire event left a lasting impression on me — but I have to admit one of the standout moments came on the second day with the announcement of our Stamp Encore contest winner.
We did something special with this stamp. Last July, we asked the public to vote by mail and online for their favorite stamps from 25 of the most popular U.S. stamps from the past. The window to participate was open only through the end of September, but we received more than half a million votes from every corner of the country. That’s a very powerful message on the American public’s support of the mailing system.
We kept the winner secret until the big reveal May 24, so when we announced Mister Rogers as the voters’ favorite, there was a real sense of anticipation in the air. We added another layer of excitement to the whole event by bringing an envelope containing the winner to every first-day-of-issue ceremony of 2026, somewhat like an Olympic torch, and postmarked it at every event. By the time we announced the winner, that envelope was covered with first-day postmarks.
Along with the issue of an exact replica of the Mister Rogers stamp from 2018, we also unveiled a souvenir sheet that puts a 2026 spin on the original. You can find the Encore stamp and sheet, along with the rest of the USPS catalog, at stampsforever.com
The week also showed the many ways stamps continue to bring people together. The excitement around the Postcrossing stamp was especially fun. Its triangular shape, vibrant color and fun design celebrates a global initiative that has inspired more than 805,000 people in more than 200 countries and territories to send more than 85 million postcards since 2005. It clearly resonated with a community that loves the simple joy of sending and receiving mail.
The American bison issue, with its stamp within a stamp design, was a gleeful nod to the philatelists out there, and our celebration of soccer and international peace was our way of recognizing the global spirit of the entire event. The special dedication ceremony of the Figures of the American Revolution commemorative stamp on May 29 was a fitting tribute to the nation’s semiquincentennial.
The World Stamp Show was a true celebration of the power of mail to connect people, locally, nationally and globally. More than anything, the show reminded me that stamps and the mail still matter in a very personal way. They continue to spark curiosity, inspire nostalgia and bring a little delight into everyday life. It was a great event, a proud moment for the Postal Service and a wonderful reminder that there really is a stamp out there for everyone.
Lisa Bobb-Semple
Director Stamp Services