A Stamp Encore Update: Bringing Back Your Favorite Stamp
The voting has closed and the waiting begins
In July, as we celebrated the 250th anniversary of our postal system, we asked you which one of the 25 most popular stamp issuances of the past three decades you wanted us to reprint. You responded with such enthusiasm that at first the website could barely handle all the attention. When voting closed on September 30, we tallied more than 580,000 online votes, and we’re almost done counting the mail-in ballots.
Thank you for taking the time to participate! Your eager voting affirmed just how much you care about the stamp program. Each time you shared the link to the Stamp Encore page with your friends on social media, we saw your appreciation not only for the special way stamps celebrate our culture and history, but also for the artistry that goes into every design.
So which previous stamp issuance received the most votes?
We need to keep you in suspense for now, but all will be revealed in May at the Boston 2026 World Stamp Expo, the once-per-decade international exhibition that we’re already celebrating with two distinctive stamps issued earlier this year. After the announcement at the Expo, the Stamp Encore winner will be available for purchase through the Postal Store and at Post Offices across the country.
Until then, we invite you to keep sharing your thoughts, because your ability to influence stamps doesn’t end here. If you’ve always wanted to see a specific someone or something honored on U.S. postage, remember that the stamp program is shaped by your suggestions. Input from the public makes us better aware of deserving honorees and helps us determine which people and events to commemorate on historic anniversaries. Your proposals matter, and we read every one.
Watch the video below to learn how an idea for a stamp becomes a reality, read about the stamp selection process, look over the selection criteria, and then write to us — using your favorite stamp, of course. Some of our most popular stamps began with a persuasive letter or handwritten note.
In 2026 and beyond, U.S. stamps will continue to bring us together by celebrating the best of our nation. Whether we’re commemorating important people and events, highlighting natural beauty, showcasing art, celebrating holidays, or offering designs to make your mail more colorful and fun, it’s a responsibility we take seriously, and we couldn’t do it without you.