Please note that this update is intended only for users who have previously switched to The Philosateleian’s annual update track. If you use the standard quarterly update track, printing new pages four times per year, spaces for all 2025 stamps have already been included in quarterly supplements.
Final business reply envelopes from 2025 feature Christmas, balloons
In the process of working my way through a few items from the end of 2025 that are still sitting in my mail tray, I found a couple of business reply envelopes that I have not previously shared here.
The first arrived in a fundraising mailing from Feed the Children, and it bears four preprinted Christmas-themed designs picturing pine cones, mistletoe, and poinsettia leaves. There are two copies of the latter design; all four have simulated perforations.
Feed the Children business reply envelope
The other BRE is from Operation Smile and has three preprinted designs picturing balloons. At first glance, I thought I’d seen this one before, but the designs although picturing balloons are different than the ones used on an envelope I received early last year.
Operation Smile business reply envelope
On a recent journey through some boxes of stamps and covers, I assembled a pile containing more than 300 business reply envelopes with preprinted stamp-sized designs on them. Although they’re something I often receive in the mail and mention here, they’re not something I typically collect, so I’ve listed them in a single lot on eBay. If you’re interested, you can take a look at my eBay listings there.
Recapping Canvey Island Local Post’s 2025 stamp releases
We’ve reached the end of 2025, and for my final post of the year, I want to bring you up to speed on the stamps of Canvey Island Local Post.
This past fall, I mentioned one Canvey Island stamp issued in July, but Canvey Island Local Post’s operator recently shared eight other stamps he released this year.
Issued January 6, the first stamp commemorates the formation of English rock band Dr. Feelgood on Canvey Island in 1971.
Canvey Island Local Post Dr. Feelgood stamp
Next on the list is the second issue in Canvey Island’s Aviators Series. The stamp issued March 21 commemorates the No. 121 “Eagle” Squadron, an RAF unit comprised of American volunteers who signed up to fight for England in May 1941, more than half a year before the United States entered World War II.
Canvey Island Local Post No. 121 “Eagle” Squadron stamp
On May 8, Canvey Island Local Post issued a stamp celebrating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The stamp features portions of 13 different flags.
Canvey Island Local Post Victory in Europe stamp
Continuing with the World War II theme, Canvey Island Local Post’s August 15 issue commemorates the 80th anniversary of VJ day, the day Imperial Japan surrendered to allied forces.
Canvey Island Local Post VJ Day stamp
Canvey Island Local Post itself is the subject of a £1 stamp issued November 10 to mark the operation’s 15th anniversary. Several other Canvey Island stamps are depicted on this stamp.
Canvey Island Local Post 15th Anniversary stamp
On November 20, Canvey Island issued its first AI-assisted design, a set of four stamps depicting Thames River sailing barges.
Canvey Island Local Post Thames Sailing Barges stamps
Canvey Island Local Post’s penultimate issue for 2025 was a stamp picturing Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden. Vermuyden is credited with leading a project in the early 1620s to reclaim land from the River Thames; that work resulted in approximately ⅓ of Canvey Island’s current land area.
Canvey Island Local Post Cornelius Vermuyden stamp
Finally, on December 8, Canvey Island Local Post issued a pair of Christmas stamps, one depicting a choir and the other a mail carrier with a sack full of presents.
Philosateleian Post commemorating 20th anniversary of The Philosateleian U.S. Stamp Album
In 2026, The Philosateleian U.S. Stamp Album turns 20 years old. It was in January 2006 that The Philosateleian launched as a set of free downloadable and printable stamp album pages, and the project has received quarterly updates each year since then.
In celebration of this milestone, Texas-based Philosateleian Post is issuing a commemorative 1-stamp local post stamp celebrating The Philosateleian’s 20th anniversary. The stamp is scheduled for release on World Local Post Day, January 26, 2026.
Philosateleian Post The Philosateleian 20th Anniversary stamp
“It’s difficult to imagine that I’ve been working on this project for two decades,” says The Philosateleian’s designer and Philosateleian Post’s proprietor, Kevin Blackston. “The initial version of The Philosateleian dates back to a time before I met my wife, and I never thought I’d still be releasing new album pages so many years later.”
“I sincerely appreciate the support that collectors of United States postage and revenue stamps have offered over the past 20 years, and I look forward to keeping The Philosateleian going into the future.”
Technical Specifications
Format: sheets of 63 (7×9). Plate number: P251228. Design size: 23×23 mm. Overall size: 26×26 mm. Separation method: perforated 12. Adhesive: water-activated dry gum. Printing method: laser.
Philatelic Services
To receive a mint single of Philosateleian Post’s The Philosateleian 20th Anniversary stamp, or for first day cover service, send either $2 or a self-addressed stamped envelope and your request to:
Kevin Blackston
Philosateleian Post
PO Box 217
Floresville TX 78114-0217
United States of America
American Institute for Cancer Research distributes business reply envelope
We’re in a time of the year when things seem to slow down—at work, at home, and where the mail is concerned.
The normal deluge of nonprofit solicitations has not completely dried up, but it’s fair to say the flow has slackened a bit. Nevertheless, my check of this week’s post office box did turn up one new business reply envelope from the American Institute for Cancer Research.
American Institute for Cancer Research business reply envelope
This BRE has four designs printed on it. They depict a city skyline, the United States Capitol, a pink ribbon, and sunflowers.
