Tomie dePaola Forever Stamps

Value: 78¢ First Class Mail (Forever)
First Day of Issue: May 5, 2023
First Day City: Manchester, New Hampshire
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Pane of 20

The U.S. Postal Service commemorates the beloved author and illustrator Tomie dePaola with a stamp featuring original artwork from his classic children’s book Strega Nona. Issued in Manchester, New Hampshire—home to the Currier Museum of Art and The Tomie dePaola Art Education Fund—this release honors a lifetime of creativity and storytelling.

Born September 15, 1934, in Meriden, Connecticut, dePaola wrote and illustrated more than 270 books over a career spanning five decades, including cherished titles like Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs and Strega Nona. A graduate of Pratt Institute, he later earned a master’s degree, taught art, and inspired generations of readers and artists alike. His first book, The Wonderful Dragon of Timlin, was published in 1966, and his contributions to children’s literature earned him numerous honors, including the prestigious Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 2011.