Even more info about collecting US stamps!
Most postage stamps pay for mail service and mark a moment in history. Semipostal stamps do something more. Sold for more than the standard postage rate, they include a surcharge that helps fund a specific national cause, such as medical research, disaster response, conservation, or public health awareness.
In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on one of the most important journeys in American history. Their mission was to explore the vast lands west of the Mississippi River, newly acquired through the Louisiana Purchase. Known as the Corps of Discovery, the Lewis and Clark Expedition became a two-year, 8,000-mile journey that helped map the American West and forever changed the country’s future.
John James Audubon remains one of the most important figures in the history of American bird art and nature study. Born April 26, 1785, he devoted his life to observing…
The history of the circus in America is usually traced to 1793, when John Bill Ricketts staged what is widely recognized as the first circus performance in the United States, in Philadelphia. From the beginning, the circus blended athletic skill, spectacle, and humor, creating a form of entertainment that quickly captured public attention.
Few stories in US philately are as memorable as Farley’s Follies. Part political controversy, part postal history, and part collector favorite, these unusual 1935 issues grew out of one of the biggest stamp scandals of the era. Today, Farley’s Follies remain popular with collectors because they combine a fascinating backstory, recognizable designs, and an important place in the history of modern US stamps.
Keep your collection up to date with the 2026 new issue stamps from the US Postal Service. From continuing series to stamps commemorating important anniversaries, enjoy the artistry and storytelling that make stamps so special. We’ll keep adding more 2026 new issue options as we get them in stock, which may take a few weeks after their issue date.
When stamp collectors speak of “2¢ Reds,” they’re referring to a colorful chapter in American philatelic history that spans decades of commemorative issues. But why were so many 2-cent stamps printed in red? The answer lies in an international agreement that standardized stamp colors around the world.
The Lunar New Year is a major seasonal holiday observed across many Asian cultures and communities, marking the start of a new year on lunisolar calendars. The US Postal Service first recognized the Lunar New Year with the issuing of a stamp honoring the Year of the Rooster on December 30, 1992.
Martin Luther King Jr., born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, GA, remains one of the most recognized leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. Collecting Martin Luther King Jr. and related Civil Rights stamps is one way to honor the people, communities, and sacrifices that shaped the struggle for equality in the US.