Since their first appearance in 1896, pinback buttons have expressed viewpoints, made statements and showcased the interests of those who wear them. Covered in clear celluloid to protect the paper underneath and constructed of stamped metal that was easy to reproduce, the first pinback buttons were more colorful and versatile than the metal buttons and other insignia that preceded them. The novel medium quickly came into popular use for advertising and political campaigns. For more than 120 years, buttons of various sizes have helped spread ideas and broadcast opinions on a wide variety of topics. The designs and slogans adorning buttons reflect the era and values of the time in which they were created, like any other piece of pop culture ephemera. In this way, pinback buttons become historical tools providing insight into the moods, sentiments and worldviews of people living in a particular time and place. The pane of 20 stamps features 10 typographic designs by various artists in their unique styles, each with a single word as the prominent design element –– “Smile” (Don Clark), “Hello!” (Tré Seals), “Peace” (Jay Fletcher), “Love” (Juan Carlos Pagan), “Fun” (Gia Graham), “Sweet” (Jeff Rogers), “Yes!” (Ryan Feerer), “Cheers!” (Lisa Congdon), “Kudos!” (DKNG Studios) and “Happy” (Gina Triplett). The round shape of the stamps as well as shadowing and reflection effects give the appearance of three-dimensional pinback buttons. The pane verso features an illustration of a round silver button back with pin fastener repeated 20 times, one for each pinback button shown on the front of the pane. The versatility of pinback buttons has created endless opportunities for graphic and typographic treatments. Whether to convey a political leaning, tell a joke, champion a social or environmental cause or simply to serve as a souvenir, these small tokens of one’s thoughts and interests are meant to be worn and shared with others.

When a piece of clothing becomes a stamp: in the spirit of sustainability, used Austrian Post uniforms are turned into stamps for postage that also make for unique collector’s items. Sustainability is a priority at Österreichische Post. The company has been providing CO2-neutral delivery for more than 10 years now. Sustainability-related activities include the generation of electricity with photovoltaic systems, the use of Austria’s largest e-vehicle fleet, resource-efficient processes, and maximum waste reduction, including the recycling of worn-out workwear. Since 2020, everyday items such as bags have been produced from discarded workwear as part of the Re:Post recycling project. Thanks to this upcycling process, old materials remain in the cycle of usability and are not simply disposed of as waste. Old uniform shirts were also recycled for this commemorative stamp by turning them into rag paper. This paper is made from textile waste or “rag paper”, i.e., old clothes. The rag paper for the “Österreichische Post staff shirt” stamps was made according to a centuries-old tradition in a Lower Austrian paper mill, which is the last of its kind in Austria. For this purpose, old shirts were shredded, mixed with water, and ground. The pulpy “paper pulp” was then scooped by hand with sieves, the paper laid on felt and the water pressed out. Finally, the stamps were printed on the resulting sheets of rag paper. The blue fibers of the shirts are still clearly visible in the paper. These stamps also stand out for their traditional punched perforation, which is usually not possible with this material.

The “New Year Cherub” is a popular motif often used in holiday decorations, greeting cards, and art. Cherubs, or “putti,” are typically depicted as chubby, winged infants or young angels, symbolizing innocence and joy. They are often shown holding items like trumpets, bells, or scrolls, which are associated with announcing the arrival of the New Year. The USPS incorporated this imagine to usher in the 21st Century.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a beloved annual event held in New York City, first launched in 1924. It was originally called the Macy’s Christmas Parade and aimed to kick off the holiday shopping season. The inaugural parade featured store employees dressed in vibrant costumes, bands, and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. Santa Claus made his first appearance, marking the start of a cherished tradition.

Over the years, the parade has evolved to include giant character balloons, elaborate floats, and celebrity performances. Notable moments include the debut of Mickey Mouse in 1934 and Spider-Man in 1987. Despite a brief hiatus during World War II, the parade has continued to grow in popularity and remains a highlight of Thanksgiving Day for millions of viewers.

With 20 otherworldly images, this issuance explores life on Earth, as few have ever seen it. The pane features images taken using microscopes and highly specialized photographic techniques to capture details of life undetectable by the human eye.The stamps include vivid images of red blood cells, the feather of a macaw parrot, a knotted strand of human hair, moss leaves, diatom shells (photosynthesizing algae), freshwater protozoans, an acorn barnacle, a moth’s antenna, the front foot of a diving beetle, neurons from a mouse’s brain, bone tissue from a starling, scales on the wing of a Madagascan sunset moth, a juvenile zebrafish, mushroom gills, the tongue of a freshwater snail, a blue button (an organism similar to a jellyfish), mold spores, the legs (known as cirri) of a barnacle, flame lily pollen, and the surface of a southern live oak leaf.

For hundreds of years, scientists have held deep fascination with making the invisible elements of our world visible. The images that result from microscope-based research show, in exquisitely fine detail, the phenomena of life. While stunning on their own as works of art, these images also hold scientific significance. Microscopists, both professional and amateur, use a variety of techniques to capture
the beauty of their subjects. A scanning electron microscope (SEM), which directs beams of electrons at a sample and then records the electrons emitted by that sample, can provide an extended depth of field giving the impression of a three dimensional subject. SEMs produce black-and-white images that are often colorized by scientists.

Confocal microscopy is a process that scans a specimen to create several optical sections of the subject. Scientists then stack these images to provide an extended depth of field giving the impression of a three-dimensional reconstruction of the subject.

Many more techniques and equipment exist for capturing specimens in ever greater detail.

The USPS recently released a special Dungeons & Dragons stamp collection to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic role-playing game! The collection features a sheet of 20 Forever stamps with 10 different designs showcasing various characters, creatures, and encounters from the D&D universe.

A History of Dungeons and Dragons Game

The first commemoratives of the twentieth century were also the first bi-colored postage stamps printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Six stamps in denominations of 1-cent, 2-cent, 4-cent, 8-cent and 10-cent were issued to publicize the 1901 Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York.

The stamps depict modes of modern transportation. All the stamps bear the inscription “Commemorative Series 1901.”

Three of the Pan-American Exposition stamps exist as inverts: the 1-cent, 2-cent, and 4-cent. The 1-cent and 2-cent were produced by accident and discovered by the public. The 4-cent invert was created intentionally after it was erroneously reported that the public had discovered inverts of this denomination. These three classic inverts were reproduced one hundred years later on a 2001 souvenir sheet.

Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting

The design of the James Webb Space Telescope stamp was a collaborative effort. The artwork was created by James Vaughan, who used digital tools to depict the telescope against a vibrant starscape. The design captures the telescope’s intricate structure and its position in space, emphasizing its role in exploring the universe.

The stamp was designed under the direction of William Gicker, the USPS art director, who ensured that the final product was both visually appealing and scientifically accurate.The design of the James Webb Space Telescope stamp was a collaborative effort. The artwork was created by James Vaughan, who used digital tools to depict the telescope against a vibrant starscape. The design captures the telescope’s intricate structure and its position in space, emphasizing its role in exploring the universe.

The stamp was designed under the direction of William Gicker, the USPS art director, who ensured that the final product was both visually appealing and scientifically accurate.

China has issued several commemorative stamps for Shanghai Disneyland. Notably, a set of two official Chinese postage stamps was released on June 16, 2016, to coincide with the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort. These stamps feature iconic Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, as well as the Enchanted Storybook Castle.

Additionally, there are various other collectible stamps and souvenir sheets available that celebrate different aspects of Shanghai Disneyland.

Shanghai Disney Resort is a magical destination located in Pudong, Shanghai, China. It features Shanghai Disneyland, two resort hotels, Disneytown, and Wishing Star Park. The resort opened on June 16, 2016, and has since become a popular attraction for visitors from around the world.

Here are some highlights:

• Shanghai Disneyland: The main theme park with various themed lands, including Adventure Isle, Gardens of Imagination, Mickey Avenue, Tomorrowland, Treasure Cove, and Fantasyland.
• Disneytown: A shopping, dining, and entertainment district.
• Wishing Star Park: A recreational area with beautiful landscapes and a large lake.
• Resort Hotels: Two themed hotels, the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and the Toy Story Hotel.