The United States Postal Service will join the American Philatelic Society, American Topical Association, and the American First Day Cover Society at the Great American Stamp Show (GASS) for the first day of issue for the Backyard Games forever stamp. The event will take place on Thursday, August 12 as the dedication event to kick off the show. "We look forward to welcoming the United States Postal Service and joining us for this first-day issue event," said Scott English, the Executive Director of the American Philatelic Society. "The Great American Stamp Show is the most talked-about show of the year for philately and friendship, and a little fun. There's no better way to celebrate the summer than celebrating with Backyard Games."
The Great American Stamp Show is scheduled for August 12-15, 2021 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, in Rosemont, Illinois. The free event is co-sponsored by the United States Postal Service. The USPS will also have a large retail presence offering a selection of current U.S. stamps for sale.
The Backyard Games stamps capture games that Americans play for outdoor fun. A pane of 16 stamps features eight unique designs including badminton, bocce, cornhole, croquet, flying disc, horseshoes, tetherball, and baseball.
Greg Breeding is the art director. Mike Ryan designed the stamps with original artwork by Mick Wiggins. In an interview with Baseballismy.life, illustrator Mick Wiggins describes everything from being selected to design a stamp to the creative process.
In addition to having the new issue available for purchase, the USPS will offer both a show pictorial cancellation and a first day of issue postmark.
Join the APS, ATA, and AFDCS along with dealers, societies, exhibitors, and collectors for four days of shopping, seminars, exhibits, education, and fun for all ages. Pre-registration for the show is encouraged.
The APS provides regular updates on the GASS homepage.