On January 22, 2012, rates for certain mailing and shipping services will increase. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the new prices as well as the new stamps that will be available.
From 44¢ to 45¢
First-Class one-ounce rate
Note: Forever® stamps will remain valid for First-Class rate. After the rate change, the price of a Forever Stamp will be 45¢. All new First-Class Mail commemorative stamps will be Forever stamps. See new issues here.
From 64¢ to 65¢
First-Class two-ounce rate
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the unique partnership between dogs and people with Dogs at Work. Featuring original artwork by John M. Thompson, this set of four stamps depicts four hard-working canines: a guide dog assisting a woman who is blind; a tracking dog on the trail of a scent; a therapy dog visiting an elderly woman in her home; and a search and rescue dog in a field. Art director Howard E. Paine designed the stamps.
From 84¢ to 85¢
First-Class three-ounce rate
The Birds of Prey stamps feature five raptors: the northern goshawk, peregrine falcon, golden eagle, osprey, and northern harrier. Illustrator Robert Giusti painted the original designs in acrylic on canvas board, depicting each bird from the neck up.
From 29¢ to 32¢
Postcard rate
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the spirit of “Aloha” with five stamps, each depicting a different Hawaiian shirt. Art director Carl Herrman designed these stamps using photos by Ric Noyle, a photographer based in Honolulu.
From 80¢ to 85¢
International Rate, Canada & Mexico
This stamp in the Scenic American Landscapes series features a photograph of Glacier National Park by Michael Melford. Looking toward the Northern Rocky Mountains, this view of glacier lilies blooming along the Continental Divide was taken at Logan Pass.
From 98¢ to $1.05
International Rate
This stamp in the Scenic American Landscapes series features a photograph by James Amos of the beautiful countryside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Amos says, “I have always enjoyed the bucolic and peaceful nature of Lancaster County. This was a spot that I especially liked, and I remember returning to it several times.” Ethel Kessler was the art director.
From $4.95 to $5.15
Priority Mail®
Artist Dan Cosgrove’s colorful, digital illustration of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida shows the dramatic structural elements of the bridge in the natural beauty of its surroundings.
From $18.30 to $18.95
Express Mail®
Designed by art director Phil Jordan, this stamp features an illustration of Carmel Mission in Carmel, California, by artist Dan Cosgrove. Rendered in deeply saturated colors reminiscent of a vintage travel poster, the artwork depicts the façade of Carmel Mission with its dome-shaped bell tower and elaborate star-shaped window.
From 64¢ to 65¢
Nonmachinable surcharge rate
Baltimore Checkerspot is the second butterfly stamp to be issued for use on square or irregularly sized envelopes. Nationally acclaimed artist Tom Engeman created his design on a computer, using images of preserved butterflies as a starting point.
From 64¢ to 65¢
2-oz. Wedding
The Wedding Cake stamp, first introduced in 2009, features a photograph of a wedding cake taken by Renée Comet. The photograph depicts a three-tier wedding cake topped with white flowers. The blossoms' green stems and leaves strike a delightful contrast to the cake's creamy white frosting. Pastry chef Peter Brett created and designed the cake.
For more information regarding the 2012 rate increase, please visit the USPS homepage.