As predicted by VSC, the USPS announced a new Priority Mail stamp on December 16th:
Featuring an image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, this stamp shows a star cluster approximately 1,000 light-years from Earth. Hidden within the cloud of celestial dust are floating brown dwarfs — objects too small to be stars but larger than most planets. Studying these brown dwarfs will help scientists explore how star-formation processes operate for very small masses. Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with an image provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, the Space Telescope Science Institute, Kevin Luhman (Penn State University) and Catarina Alves de Oliveira (European Space Agency). Upon favorable review by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the stamp will be denominated at the new Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope rate.
The stamp will be issued January 21 in Big Sky, Montana, with a “local ceremony.” Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent information at the top.
Updated February 28th:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5955.
Updated January 17th:
The DCP postmark was revised due to an “artist correction.” The illustration in the next item has been replaced with the new version. The dimensions are the same.
Updated January 13th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:
The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.99″ x 1.50″
This is the standard “killerbar” postmark.
Updated January 9th:
On January 21, 2025, in Big Sky, MT, the United States Postal Service® will issue the $31.40 Star Cluster Priority Mail Express® stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of four stamps (Item 129400). This stamp will go on sale nationwide January 21, 2025, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.
This new Priority Mail Express® stamp celebrates America’s continued exploration of deep space with another remarkable image captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The stamp features star cluster IC 348, a formation approximately 1,000 light-years from Earth within the constellation Perseus. Hidden within the cloud of celestial dust are tiny, free-floating brown dwarfs — objects too small to be stars but larger than most planets. Studying these brown dwarfs will help scientists explore how star-formation processes operate for very small masses. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with an image provided by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), ESA (European Space Agency), CSA (Canadian Space Agency), STScI (Space Telescope Science Institute), Kevin Luhman (Penn State University), and Catarina Alves de Oliveira (ESA).
No automatic distribution.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain 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 usps.com/shop. 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 – Star Cluster 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 May 21, 2025.
Technical Specifications:
Issue: Star Cluster Stamp
Item Number: 129400
Denomination &Type of Issue: $31.40 Priority Mail Express Rate
Format: Pane of 4 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 21, 2025, Big Sky, MT 59716
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Kevin Luhman (PSU), Catarina Alves de Oliveira (ESA)
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 4
Print Quantity: 600,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.4200 x 1.0850 in. / 36.0680 x 27.5590 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.5600 x 1.2250 in. / 39.6240 x 31.1150 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.1200 x 3.4500 in. / 104.6480 x 87.6300 mm
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in two corners
Back: © 2024 USPS • USPS Logo • Four barcodes (129400) • Plate position diagram (10) • Promotional text
