Announced October 23, 2023:
In 2024, the Postal Service commemorates the 250th anniversary of the First Continental Congress. Made up of delegates from 12 of the 13 Colonies, the First Continental Congress convened in 1774 to decide how the Colonies should respond to increasing threats to their freedom. In addition to denouncing taxation without representation, the Congress called for a general boycott of British goods. It also issued a declaration of rights that included life, liberty, property and trial by jury, and laid the foundation for government during the American Revolution. The stamp art features a quote from the Congress’s protest letter to the King of England. The 12 stars stand for the 12 Colonies represented at the meeting. (Georgia did not agree with the protest and did not send representatives.) Antonio Alcalá served as art director, designer and typographer for this stamp.
Further information will be posted below the line, with the newest information at the top.
Updated October 7th:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5939.
Updated August 7th:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Peace, Liberty and Postage Stamps
What: Sept. 5, 1774, marked a turning point in the lead-up to the American Revolution as the First Continental Congress convened at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia. In honor of the 250th anniversary of the compact, the U.S. Postal Service will release First Continental Congress, 1774, a Forever stamp commemorating the gathering and its place in our nation’s history.
The first-day-of-issue event for the First Continental Congress, 1774, stamp is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #FirstContinentalCongressStamp.
Who: The Honorable Roman Martinez IV, chairman, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors
Michael Norris, executive director, Carpenters’ Hall
When: Thursday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. ET
Where: Carpenters’ Hall
320 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
RSVP: Attendees are encouraged to register at: usps.com/firstcontinentalcongress.
Background: The formation of the First Continental Congress was one of the first indications that a new government — and ultimately, a new nation — was emerging.
Participation in the compact by the Colonies laid the groundwork for what would become democracy as we know it.
The new Forever stamp will honor the 56 delegates from 12 Colonies who joined together to advocate for equality, eventually earning our nation’s independence.
The stamp art, evocative of the U.S. flag, is dominated by a vertical blue band bordered on either side by white stripes. Text at the top of the band reads: “12 COLONIES UNITE IN PROTEST.” The center features the congress’s plea to King George III: “We ask but for Peace, Liberty and Safety.” The title of the stamp — “FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, 1774” — appears at the bottom. A red stripe with 12 white stars representing the number of Colonies that participated in the Congress delineates the left side.
Antonio Alcalá served as art director, designer and typographer for this stamp.
The First Continental Congress, 1774, stamp will be issued in panes of 20. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.
Updated July 25th:
On September 5, 2024, in Philadelphia, PA, the United States Postal Service® (USPS®) will issue the First Continental Congress, 1774 stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 485700). This stamp will go on sale nationwide September 5, 2024, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.
With this stamp, USPS commemorates the 250th anniversary of the First Continental Congress, which convened in Philadelphia in 1774 to decide how the Colonies should respond to increasing threats to their freedom. The stamp art, evocative of the U.S. flag, is dominated by a vertical blue band bordered on either side by white stripes. The text at the top of the band reads, “12 COLONIES UNITE IN PROTEST.” The center features a plea taken from a petition sent by the Congress to King George III: “We ask but for Peace, Liberty and Safety.” The title of the stamp — “FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, 1774” — appears at the bottom. A red stripe with 12 white stars representing the number of Colonies that participated in the Congress delineates the left side. Antonio Alcalá served as art director, designer, and typographer for this stamp.
Automatic distribution.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to get the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office® or at The Postal Store® website at store.usps.com/store/home. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
FDOI – First Continental Congress, 1774 Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by January 5, 2025.
Technical Specifications:
Issue: First Continental Congress, 1774 Stamp
Item Number: 485700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: September 5, 2024, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 18,000,000
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag Applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: PMS Dark Blue C, PMS 199 C Red, PMS 7681 C Light Blue, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.8400 x 1.4200 in. / 21.3360 x 36.0680 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.9800 x 1.5600 in. / 24.8920 x 39.6240 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.4800 x 7.2600 in. / 164.5920 x 184.4040 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 12.9600 x 21.7800 in. / 329.1840 x 553.2120 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by four (4) single digits in four corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners
Back: © 2023 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (485700) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text
