The official USPS pumpkin Forever stamps are the 2016 Jack-O’-Lanterns issue: four photographed pumpkin designs in a double-sided booklet of 20. Pumpkin-themed NetStamps are a different product used with an online postage-printing account, so the names should not be treated as interchangeable.
2016 Jack-O’-Lanterns stamp facts
| Official issue name | Jack-O’-Lanterns |
|---|---|
| Issue date | September 29, 2016 |
| First-day city | Anoka, Minnesota |
| Format | Double-sided booklet of 20 |
| Designs | 4 photographed jack-o’-lanterns; 5 of each per booklet |
| USPS item | 681400 |
| Postage type | First-Class Mail Forever |
What the four designs show
Each design is a close photograph of a differently carved, illuminated pumpkin against a dark background. Paul Montanari carved the jack-o’-lanterns, Sally Andersen-Bruce photographed them and USPS art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps. Together the four faces create variety without changing the postal value.
Why the issue matters
USPS described Jack-O’-Lanterns as its first Halloween-themed stamp issue. The dedication took place in Anoka, Minnesota, a city widely associated with early community Halloween celebrations. That combination gives the issue a documented place in both postal and seasonal history rather than making it simply a generic pumpkin design.
Jack-O’-Lanterns vs. pumpkin NetStamps
| Feature | USPS Jack-O’-Lanterns | Pumpkin NetStamps |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | USPS-issued physical Forever stamp booklet | Compatible themed labels used to print postage through a NetStamps account |
| Artwork | Four official 2016 photographed pumpkin designs | Seasonal label artwork varies by current supplier collection |
| Postage value | Forever value for a 1-ounce First-Class Mail letter | Postage amount is purchased and printed through the account |
| Identification | 2016 date, Forever/USA markings and item 681400 | Printed indicium and NetStamps label security/serial features |
A pack of decorative NetStamps labels is not postage until valid postage is purchased and printed on it. Conversely, an unused 2016 Jack-O’-Lanterns stamp already carries Forever postage value.
Are the 2016 pumpkin stamps still valid?
Yes. The original selling price was 47 cents per stamp, but unused examples remain valid for the current 1-ounce First-Class Mail letter rate. Extra postage may be needed for heavy, square, rigid, oversized or international Halloween mail.
How to identify a complete booklet
- Confirm there are 20 stamps and four different pumpkin faces.
- A complete booklet contains five examples of each design.
- Look for the 2016 date and Forever/USA wording.
- Use USPS item number 681400 when comparing issue records.
- Do not confuse a blank or printable seasonal label sheet with the USPS booklet.
Official and product references
USPS provides the official issue and production record in Stamp Announcement 16-34. For the separate printable-label product, see the current NetStamps printing instructions.
Browse more seasonal designs in our holiday stamp collection.