New postage stamps roll out, starting with Alex Trebek stamp
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New Alex Trebek stamps are released July 22. Photo: Courtesy of the United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is releasing new Forever stamps that honor late celebrities and celebrate a 50-year-old game — weeks after raising postage stamp prices.
The big picture: Americans continue to reduce what they send via snail mail. But the new stamps could be popular among fans and stamp collectors.
- In 2023, USPS handled 116.1 billion pieces of mail compared to the high of 213.1 billion in 2006, data shows.
Context: USPS raised the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp on July 14 to 73 cents, up from 68 cents. The 5-cent increase tied the record for the biggest stamp hike ever.
- This was the 19th stamp rate change since 2000 and the fifth rate hike in two years.
Alex Trebek Forever stamps
Alex Trebek — the legendary "Jeopardy!" host who died four years ago — gets recognized with a stamp Monday to honor the show's 60th anniversary.
- Pre-orders of the stamp started in June but July 22 is the day the stamp is officially released, per USPS.
Zoom in: The stamps will be sold as a set of 20 for $14.60 and resemble the TV show's iconic blue game board with categories "entertainment," "game show hosts," "famous Alexes" and "Forever stamps."
- While postage stamps that honor celebrities, athletes or influential people usually include a photo of the person, Trebek's face is not on his stamps but a photo of him is next to the 20 stamps.
The clue on the stamps is the same on all 20 stamps: "This naturalized U.S. citizen hosted the quiz show 'Jeopardy!' for 37 seasons."
- The correct response: "Who is Alex Trebek?" is upside down under the answer and next to the words "Forever USA."
Hank Aaron stamp
A Forever stamp honoring baseball legend Henry "Hank" Aaron will be officially released on July 31.
- The stamp was announced in April on the 50th anniversary of the day he hit his 715th home run while playing for the Atlanta Braves.
- This stamp features a digital painting of Aaron and comes in panes of 20, per USPS.
DnD stamps release date
The role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024 and gets its Forever stamp on Aug. 1.
- These stamps have 10 different designs that "highlight characters, creatures, and encounters familiar to players and the imaginative world of D&D," USPS says on the stamp's webpage.
- The stamps will be unveiled as part of the Gen Con Indy 2024 convention in Indianapolis that runs Aug. 1-4.
Forever postage stamp prices 2024
Flashback: The Postal Service first started selling Forever stamps in 2007, when they cost 41 cents.
- Before Forever stamps were introduced, consumers had to buy additional postage — like 2-cent stamps — to cover price increases.
- Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class one-ounce rate, USPS says.
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