The year 2026 marks two significant milestones: the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Washington Calligraphers Guild and the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. These anniversaries recognize the importance of courage and creative action to begin a new venture. 

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​This year's trio of judges -- Jenny Nicholson, former US Department of State calligrapher; Sammy Little, professional calligrapher with worldwide clientele; and Susan Easton, calligrapher and retired art educator -- selected winning envelopes from more than 200 entrants. They looked carefully at the overall design, the quality of lettering, the relationship to the theme, and, where appropriate, the incorporation of the stamp. All kinds of lettering were appreciated, from fanciful, creative 1960s forms to historically correct medieval script. 

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Entrants highlighted many kinds of “Great Beginnings” including organizations, social movements, inventions, discoveries, and life phases. Julie Gray’s Best in Show was noted for being particularly neat, clear, and consistent in penmanship, balanced in overall design, and painted in harmonious colors. Her design expanded on the stamp’s stick-figure graphic of an adopting couple to depict a string of happy couples adopting children (and a puppy)! Other notable entries highlighted the invention of the piano, penicillin, the airplane, the teddy bear, the Gutenberg Bible, and organization in 1848 of the Women’s Rights Convention.

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The winning envelopes are displayed below in slideshows, the envelopes advancing every 7 seconds. Click on any envelope to enlarge it and clearly read the artist's name; use the arrow to advance to the next.