Reviewed September 12, 2026. The USPS Star Cluster stamp features the star-forming region IC 348 in an image from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. It belongs to the 2025 Webb-image high-value stamp releases and is not an ordinary First-Class Mail Forever stamp.
What the IC 348 stamp represents
IC 348 is a young star cluster and star-forming region. USPS used a Webb Space Telescope image to connect a postal issue with contemporary space observation. The image subject is the key to the stamp’s name; “cosmic-level” is descriptive language, not the official postal class.
Do not confuse space-theme stamp classes
USPS space issues do not all carry the same postage. The 2016 Views of Our Planets and 2019 First Moon Landing issues are ordinary Forever stamps. The 2025 Webb-image stamps were issued for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express services. The printed denomination or service class controls the stamp’s postal value.
Identification card
- Subject: star cluster IC 348
- Image source: NASA James Webb Space Telescope imagery
- Issue family: 2025 USPS Webb-image high-value stamps
- Ordinary Forever stamp: no
- Use: apply its printed service/denomination value toward the qualifying USPS service
See the USPS announcement of the Webb-image stamps for the official issue context.
How to decide whether it fits your mail
First identify the service printed on the stamp. Then calculate the current postage for the package or envelope using its destination, packaging, weight and dimensions. A high-value stamp can contribute its printed value, but it does not by itself guarantee that today’s total service price has been paid.
For collectors and space enthusiasts
Preserve the stamp’s issue information and format with the item. Do not infer a collectible premium from the Webb image alone; value claims require evidence for the same version, condition and completed transaction. Browse more verified issues in the NASA and space stamp guide.