July 2025 — In celebration of the United States Postal Service’s 250th anniversary, acclaimed Pantheon Books cartoonist and graphic novelist Chris Ware has designed a special pane of 20 commemorative stamps titled 250 Years of Delivering. This release on July 23rd is part of a historic dual issuance by the U.S. Postal Service, honoring the rich legacy and enduring cultural impact of American stamps.
The announcement coincides with the July release of two major stamp issues:
- A prestige 32-page booklet, Putting a Stamp on the American Experience, which features two exclusive self-adhesive sheets of a new intaglio stamp showcasing Benjamin Franklin—based on an 1875 reproduction of an 1847 5-cent stamp, one of America’s first.
- 250 Years of Delivering, a pane of 20 stamps designed by Chris Ware, which depicts a mail carrier’s journey through the four seasons, interwoven with a whimsical array of familiar postal icons and tools. Ware’s intricate storytelling and visual design bring to life the everyday heroism of postal workers across the country.
About the Artist:
Chris Ware, born in Omaha, Nebraska, is renowned for his New Yorker covers and groundbreaking graphic novels including Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth and Building Stories. His innovative visual narratives explore themes of memory, identity, and American life, often set against the backdrop of Midwestern suburbia. Ware’s accolades include the American Book Award, Guardian First Book Award, Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize, and multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards. He has exhibited at leading institutions such as the Whitney Biennial, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Jewish Museum in New York.
Known for his meticulous, hand-drawn compositions and radical storytelling techniques, Ware brings a deeply human and artistic dimension to this historic stamp collection. His contribution reflects the Postal Service’s commitment to celebrating American creativity and storytelling through philately.
Availability:
The 250 Years of Delivering stamps and Putting a Stamp on the American Experience booklet will be available nationwide on July 23rd at select Post Office locations and online at usps.com/shopstamps. Licensed products are also available via Amazon’s USPS Official Store. For more information, visit stampsforever.com.
This milestone issue honors not just the past 250 years of delivery, but the enduring role of the Postal Service in connecting Americans through generations of change, tradition, and innovation.