Friday, October 2, 2026
A new Christmas Madonna and Child stamp is on the way
A portrait by the ‘Master of the Embroidered Foliage’ appears on the postage
The Postal Service will issue its latest Christmas Madonna and Child stamp on Friday, Oct. 2.
The design features an image of the Virgin Mary and the Christ child from the collection of the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA. It was painted around the year 1500.
Art historians in the 1920s attributed the work to an unnamed artist known as the “Master of the Embroidered Foliage” because the painted greenery resembles embroidery.
Scholars now believe that the painting was produced in a workshop by several artists and assistants ― as was common practice at the time ― likely in Brussels or in Bruges, in modern-day Belgium.
The artwork depicts a large central figure of Mary in red garments with symbolic background details. A red border surrounds each stamp, highlighting Mary’s clothing.
Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp.
Since 2011, the Postal Service has issued a new Madonna and Child stamp approximately every two years. These stamps usually highlight fine art from the collections of museums in the United States.
The Forever stamp will be available in books of 20 at Post Offices and on usps.com.
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People
He took the initiative
An employee’s efforts win recognition and stamp sales blossom at a WV Post Office
Fabian Tañón, a Corozal, PR, retail associate, is always looking for a better way to do things.
This instinct recently led to not only a more efficient workplace but also recognition from Chief Retail and Delivery Officer Elvin Mercado.
Tañón took the initiative to reorganize the distribution and staging areas as well as update labels and signage in his office, putting Lean Six Sigma principles into action without even knowing he was doing so. The upgraded layout has contributed to improved scanning and quicker service.
Mercado, who was the keynote speaker at the Puerto Rico District career conference, spent time visiting the San Juan Sorting and Delivery Center and other facilities.
After his stop at the Corozal Post Office, Mercado was so impressed with what Tañón had done that he presented the employee with a special pin and sent him a certificate of achievement.
When asked about what inspired him to make the improvements, Tañón said that when he sees a problem, he looks for solutions.
District leaders are now working on enrolling him in Lean Six Sigma training for official certification.
Flower power helps promote Alzheimer’s stamp
Employees at the Newburg, WV, Post Office promoted the Alzheimer’s stamp — which USPS spotlights each September — with a dedicated display, including banners, posters and balloons.
Customers who purchased a sheet were also encouraged to add their name to a cut-out paper flower to be displayed at the facility.
“Let’s fill the Post Office with flowers while supporting a great cause,” one poster read. Many of the posters and balloons were purple, the color of Alzheimer’s awareness.
The village of about 250 residents did not disappoint.
“We are a very small town but have sold more than 270 stamps so far and have had a lot of appreciation from the community,” said Postmaster Christina Howdershelt, who praised her employees’ efforts.
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Watch a video about Linda McCartney
Five of the photographer’s images appear on a new set of stamps
The Postal Service has released a video about a set of stamps celebrating the life and work of photographer, musician, author and animal rights advocate Linda McCartney.
The former Linda Eastman was a professional photographer who in the 1960s became known for her candid, behind-the-scenes images of famous rock stars.
She was visiting London on assignment when she first met Paul McCartney of the Beatles, and the two married in 1969. After the Beatles disbanded, they began performing music together, and their group, Wings, became a pop-rock powerhouse of the 1970s.
Her love of animals was reflected in many of her photographs and led her to becoming a vegetarian. She authored best-selling vegetarian cookbooks and created her own line of vegetarian meals.
“Mum was, first and foremost, very kind,” daughter Mary McCartney says in the 7-minute video, which also features comments from Paul McCartney and historical interview clips of Linda McCartney.
Postmaster General David Steiner introduces the stamps in the video.
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News Quiz
More than just silly love songs
What do you know about the newly dedicated Linda McCartney stamps?
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. In 1968, Linda McCartney’s photograph of which of the following performers made the cover of Rolling Stone magazine?
a) Eric Clapton
b) Bob Dylan
c) Aretha Franklin
d) Roy Orbison
2. What is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library?
a) A bookmobile Parton drove when delivering books to Tennessee children
b) A program that mails free books each month to kids age 5 and under
c) A public library in the late singer’s hometown of Sevierville, TN
d) The University of Tennessee’s library, funded by Parton
3. Which of the following is not a name for one of the six puppies that Cabot, AR, Rural Carrier Kim Novak asked trained volunteers to rescue from a field?
a) Bowie
b) Elvis
c) Jagger
d) Prince
4. What is the “Roadeo”?
a) A calf-roping event at the Calgary Stampede
b) A driving skills competition for USPS truck drivers
c) An endurance race for IndyCar drivers in Dallas
d) A yodeling contest for drivers renewing their commercial licenses
5. True or false: On-duty USPS employees can engage in sales activities on behalf of charitable organizations?
a) True
b) False
Answers: 1) a. 2) b. 3) b. 4) b. 5) b.
Postal Bulletin looks at Election Mail and Political Mail
Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published Oct. 1, provides a deep dive into Election Mail and Political Mail.
Updates to the organization’s policies, procedures and forms are also included.
Employees can go to usps.com to read and download the latest Postal Bulletin, along with past issues.
View past printouts
Printout details
What's included
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A new Christmas Madonna and Child stamp is on the way
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People
He took the initiative
An employee’s efforts win recognition and stamp sales blossom at a WV Post Office
-
Watch a video about Linda McCartney
Five of the photographer’s images appear on a new set of stamps
-
News Quiz
More than just silly love songs
What do you know about the newly dedicated Linda McCartney stamps?
-
Brief
Postal Bulletin looks at Election Mail and Political Mail