The United States Stamp Society (USSS) is a “non-profit” volunteer-run association of collectors devoted to the study of postage and revenue stamped paper produced for use in the United States and U.S. administered areas. Once concerned exclusively with the production of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the USSS has expanded its coverage to all United States issues regardless of printer.
United States Stamp Society at Boston 2026 World Expo
The United States Stamp Society was well represented at the Boston 2026 World Stamp Show held at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center May 23–30, 2026. As the 12th international philatelic exhibition of the United States, this once-in-a-decade event coincided with celebrations of America’s Semi quincentennial (250th anniversary of independence). The event featured the unveiling of USPS Revolutionary-era Forever Stamps, 4,000 exhibit frames, hundreds of global dealers and postal offices, daily cancellation ceremonies, and free public activities.
For the eight-day span of the show The United States Stamp Society (USSS) was represented in super Booth 111, comfortably shared with the NY Collectors Club, US Philatelic Classics Society and the Philatelic Foundation. Hundreds of collectors stopped by the USSS booth, and over 100 members signed the show register.
The Society celebrated its 100 Anniversary having been established as the Philatelic Number Association (PPNA) in 1926.
The 2026 edition of the Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog was officially
introduced at the show, and sales almost exhausted the 100 copies available.
Over the past decade the finances of the Society have seriously been impacted by the production and mailing costs to produce our monthly journal, The United States Specialist. Presently, mailing costs alone are equal to 43% of membership dues. After over 25 years, membership annual dues were increased this year to $30. Even with the generosity of members donating above their basic membership, the $44 per member annual cost to produce the journal has become unsustainable. The Board has therefore decided to change production schedule of the journal from a monthly publication to a bi-monthly schedule beginning in 2027. We expect the quality and quantity of published philatelic information will continue and carry us well into the future.
The Society will be represented at the NOJEX Show to be held at Hasbrouck Heights, NJ in October. The next Annual Meeting is scheduled for St. Louis Stamp Expo.
At the General Membership meeting held a 1:00pm, President, Treasurer and Executive Secretory report were presented. The introduction of the 2026 Durland Catalog was formally announced along with the proceedings of the Board Meeting. Anniversary 15, 25 and 50year membership pins were given to members present
United States Specialist Online
Each month the current issue of The United States Specialist will be available for reading or downloading as a PDF on the USSS website. The new feature can be found at “This Month’s Specialist” under the “Digital Specialist” menu. Members must be logged onto the site to enjoy this feature. An image of the cover of the current issue will be displayed, and pages can be flipped by clicking on the side arrows. Zoom and full screen and downloading features are also available.