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USPS Launches Ralph Lauren-Curated "American Icons" Stamp Series on 250th Anniversary
On Tuesday, June 9, the United States Postal Service (USPS) unveiled a new set of 13 commemorative stamps called "American Icons" at the historic James A. Farley Post Office Building in Midtown Manhattan. The release coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States and marks the first time an individual has been invited to curate an entire USPS stamp program.
The collection was assembled by fashion designer Ralph Lauren, who selected images from his personal archives and other visual sources that have influenced his work. The central stamp in the set features a knitted flag designed by Lauren, with the years 1776 and 2026 written in blue and separated by a star. The surrounding 12 stamps depict a range of American symbols: the national flag; a baseball glove used by Jackie Robinson; a pickup truck; a dog; the Empire State Building; a barn; a Diné (Navajo) blanket; a teddy bear; a lighthouse; a hamburger; a sailboat; and horses.
All 13 stamps are "Forever" stamps, meaning they are valid for first‑class mail regardless of future rate changes. The designs were created by Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS who has worked on more than 150 stamp designs over his 15‑year tenure.
The stamps will be sold in sheets of 13 at USPS post offices and on the agency’s website, usps.com. In addition to the commemorative set, a separate U.S. Flag mail‑use stamp featuring Lauren’s knitted flag design will also be released on June 9.
The James A. Farley Building, where the dedication ceremony took place, has served as a major USPS hub since its construction in 1911–1914. The Beaux‑Arts‑style structure was originally known as the Pennsylvania Terminal and was renamed the General Post Office Building in 1918. It became a New York City landmark in 1966 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The "American Icons" series was announced on May 12, 2026, as part of the USPS’s celebration of the nation’s quarter‑century milestone. The initiative reflects the agency’s ongoing efforts to honor American heritage through philatelic releases.
The collection’s release at the Farley Building underscores the building’s continued role as a symbolic center for U.S. postal history. The event drew visitors who came to view the stamps and to experience the historic post office’s architecture and heritage.
The USPS has not issued any statements regarding future stamp releases beyond the current series. No additional details about pricing or distribution beyond the standard sheet of 13 have been announced.
The "American Icons" stamps provide a visual snapshot of diverse American culture and history, ranging from sports and architecture to everyday objects and natural scenery. The inclusion of items such as a Diné blanket and a pickup truck highlights the breadth of American life, while the central knitted flag underscores the enduring symbolism of the national banner.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the USPS’s collaboration with Ralph Lauren offers a unique lens through which to view the nation’s evolving identity. The stamps are now available for purchase at post offices nationwide and online, allowing collectors and the general public to add a piece of this commemorative series to their collections.
The USPS will continue to monitor public reception of the "American Icons" series and may announce additional commemorative releases in the future. No further legal or regulatory actions related to this stamp issuance have been reported.
The collection was assembled by fashion designer Ralph Lauren, who selected images from his personal archives and other visual sources that have influenced his work. The central stamp in the set features a knitted flag designed by Lauren, with the years 1776 and 2026 written in blue and separated by a star. The surrounding 12 stamps depict a range of American symbols: the national flag; a baseball glove used by Jackie Robinson; a pickup truck; a dog; the Empire State Building; a barn; a Diné (Navajo) blanket; a teddy bear; a lighthouse; a hamburger; a sailboat; and horses.
All 13 stamps are "Forever" stamps, meaning they are valid for first‑class mail regardless of future rate changes. The designs were created by Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS who has worked on more than 150 stamp designs over his 15‑year tenure.
The stamps will be sold in sheets of 13 at USPS post offices and on the agency’s website, usps.com. In addition to the commemorative set, a separate U.S. Flag mail‑use stamp featuring Lauren’s knitted flag design will also be released on June 9.
The James A. Farley Building, where the dedication ceremony took place, has served as a major USPS hub since its construction in 1911–1914. The Beaux‑Arts‑style structure was originally known as the Pennsylvania Terminal and was renamed the General Post Office Building in 1918. It became a New York City landmark in 1966 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The "American Icons" series was announced on May 12, 2026, as part of the USPS’s celebration of the nation’s quarter‑century milestone. The initiative reflects the agency’s ongoing efforts to honor American heritage through philatelic releases.
The collection’s release at the Farley Building underscores the building’s continued role as a symbolic center for U.S. postal history. The event drew visitors who came to view the stamps and to experience the historic post office’s architecture and heritage.
The USPS has not issued any statements regarding future stamp releases beyond the current series. No additional details about pricing or distribution beyond the standard sheet of 13 have been announced.
The "American Icons" stamps provide a visual snapshot of diverse American culture and history, ranging from sports and architecture to everyday objects and natural scenery. The inclusion of items such as a Diné blanket and a pickup truck highlights the breadth of American life, while the central knitted flag underscores the enduring symbolism of the national banner.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the USPS’s collaboration with Ralph Lauren offers a unique lens through which to view the nation’s evolving identity. The stamps are now available for purchase at post offices nationwide and online, allowing collectors and the general public to add a piece of this commemorative series to their collections.
The USPS will continue to monitor public reception of the "American Icons" series and may announce additional commemorative releases in the future. No further legal or regulatory actions related to this stamp issuance have been reported.
