6023g – 2025 First-Class Forever Stamp – 250th Anniversary of Delivering Mail: Children Playing Near Green Tree

US #6023g
2025 Children Playing Near Green Tree

• Part of pane of 20
• Honors 250th anniversary of Post Office
• Highlights routine of postal carrier

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Set: 250 Years of Delivering
Value:  Forever First-class mail (78¢)
First Day of Issue:  July 23, 2025
First Day City:  Washington, DC
Quantity Issued:  1,250,000
Printed by:  Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printing Method:  Offset
Format:  Pane of 20
Perforations:  Die cut

Why the pane was issued: This stamp is from a pane of 20 issued in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the postal service in the US.

About the stamp design: The pane was illustrated by cartoonist Chris Ware.  The stamps connect to form a scene highlighting the presence of the Postal Service throughout the years and the important role it has played in American life over a century and a half.  The artwork follows a mail carrier as she walks her daily route through a busy town over the course of the year. 

Special design details: Symbols of the postal service are scattered throughout the stamp images.  These include mail trucks, collection boxes, and a post rider on horseback.

First Day City: The First Day of Issue for these stamps took place at the US Postal Service headquarters in Washington, DC.  The Putting a Stamp on the American Experience prestige booklet was dedicated at the same ceremony.

About the 250 Years of Delivery pane: In 2025, the US Postal Service celebrated a significant milestone: 250 years of connecting the nation.  Founded in 1775, when Benjamin Franklin was named the first Postmaster General, the US post office was a fledgling network of post roads.  Today, the USPS is one of the most enduring and trusted institutions in American history.
To honor this milestone, this pane of 20 stamps was released, each depicting moments in the life of a modern mail carrier over a year’s time.  These stamps tell the story of a community, following the carrier as she braves all seasons delivering letters and packages, while making connections with members of the community.  The stamps celebrate the mail carriers who embody the iconic creed, “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” 
The 250th anniversary is a moment to reflect on the remarkable innovations in mail delivery over the years.  From the daring days of the Pony Express to the efficiency of railroads, the introduction of airmail in 1918, and the invention of Forever Stamps, the Postal Service has embraced new ideas to better serve the nation.  Today, it continues to evolve, using digital tools to streamline logistics and support an increasingly connected world.
More than just delivering mail, the USPS has delivered hope, unity, and progress.  Its mission remains timeless: bringing people closer together.

Postal History –Postal Service Act of 1792: The Postal Service Act of 1792 was a groundbreaking moment in the early history of the United States.  Signed into law by President George Washington, it transformed the way Americans communicated and helped knit the young nation together.  At its heart, the act wasn’t just about delivering letters—it was about empowering democracy and ensuring freedom of information.
One of the key provisions of the act was the establishment of a network of post roads, which spread across the states and territories, carrying news and ideas to even the most remote communities.  It ensured that newspapers could be sent cheaply through the mail, encouraging the free flow of information.  This was no accident—leaders believed that an informed citizenry was essential to the success of the republic.
Another important aspect of the act was its commitment to privacy.  The law made it illegal for postal workers to open letters, creating a sense of trust in the system that allowed people to share personal and political ideas freely.
By linking communities, the Postal Service Act of 1792 turned the mail into a lifeline for millions, fostering a sense of unity across a new nation. It wasn’t just a law; it was a bridge connecting the hopes, ideas, and voices of a growing country.