STAMP CRITERIA \ U.S. Postal Service The U.S. Postal Service and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee have established these criteria for subject matter on U.S. stamps:

They will primarily feature American or American-related subjects.
No living person shall be honored.
Commemorative stamps will be in conjunction with significant anniversaries of a subject's birth, but no sooner than 10 years after the subject's death. The only exception to the 10-year rule is deceased U.S. presidents.
Events of historical significance shall be considered only on anniversaries in multiples of 50 years.
Only events, people and themes of widespread national appeal and significance will be considered.
Stamps shall not be issued to honor fraternal, political, sectarian or service/charitable organizations. Stamps or stationery shall not be issued to promote or advertise commercial enterprises or products.
Stamps shall not be issued to honor cities, towns, municipalities, counties, primary or secondary schools, hospitals, libraries or similar institutions.
Requests for observance-of-statehood anniversaries will be considered for commemorative postage stamps only at intervals of 50 years from the date of the state's first entry into the Union.
Stamps shall not be issued to honor religious institutions or individuals whose principal achievements are associated with religious undertakings or beliefs.
No stamp shall be considered if one treating the same subject has been issued in the past 50 years, excepting traditional themes such as national symbols and holidays.
Subjects should be submitted at least three years in advance of the proposed date of issue to allow time for consideration, design and production.