But do you know where and when the first christmas stamp was issued. Buy florentine madonna and child usps forever first class postage stamp u. You can use the denomination to help reference when the christmas stamps were made. The us post office issued their first christmas stamp in 1962. The first stamp ever issued specifically for the christmas. A couple of examples may give you a sense of what might be included. The earth day forever stamp celebrates the importance of protecting. Many countries of the world issue such stamps, which are regular postage stamps in contrast to christmas seals and are usually valid for postage yearround in some countries they have a discounted value and are for use exclusively on christmas cards. The us didnt issue its first christmas stamp until 1962, when the first stamp showed a christmas wreath. The first stamp, issued december 20, 1939, shows the three wise men and star of bethlehem leftmost stamp below. The use of the us z grill stamps started in 1867 until they were phased out in 1871. Canada issued the first stamp referred to as a christmas stamp.
There are now thousands of christmas stamps from around the world, but the origin of the first christmas stamp continues to be a mere curiosity. Stamp collecting free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices. This article refers to the early selfadhesive postage stamps of the usa, issued from between november 1989 through december 1994, specifically those issued in strips for use in affixing machines used for the placement of stamps on first day covers. No kind of stamp seems to have been as consistently controversial as the ones issued to mark christmas. Edward day announced it would be the first of a series of stamps to commemorate the holiday. The 10c us stamps were also produced in 865, 000 pieces. Postal service only offers a handful of designs, but minted has over 3,000 christmasthemed postage stamps. In 1962, the usps delivered a holiday gift of its own in its official christmas stamp. Well despite the controversy, to me, there is only one winner and that is canada. Users browsing for us seasonal christmas postage stamps in postage usually look at. Caught in the grip of world war ii, hungary in 1943 issued three stamps depicting the nativity.
Anticipating a huge demand for the new christmas stamp, the department ordered 350 million printed the largest number produced for a special stamp until that time. In 2019, the waupaca post office will be offering a special cancellation for the christmas stamp and a christmas stamp day will be held there on dec. Here youll find helpful information about the 2019 christmas stamp designs, prices, selection and other stamp. Christmas stamps christmas stamp history victorian. Post office department issued its first christmas stamp in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, on november 1, 1962. What year was the first christmas stamp issued in the united. The first christmas stamp canada issued a stamp with the mercator map christmas 1898 inscribed. Get the best deals on first day of issue seasonal, christmas us stamp covers when you shop the largest online selection at. Dec 24, 2018 the first stamp, issued december 20, 1939, shows the three wise men and star of bethlehem leftmost stamp below. Austria issued the first christmas stamp in 1948, which was a commemorative stamp for the hymn, merry christmas. Us seasonal, christmas postage stamps for sale ebay. Dec 11, 2016 needless to say, they failed, and with legal victories in hand, subsequent christmas stamps took on a much more religious flavor. The first official us christmas stamp was launched in 1962. Today, the benjamin franklin z grill is one of the rarest american stamps in the history of us postage stamps.
Holiday christmas sheets 20 stamps booklet of 20 stamps. The first us postage stamp to incorporate microprinting as a security feature was the american wildflower series introduced by the united states postal service in 1992. This holiday season over 3 billion holiday cards, christmas letters and photo cards will be mailed in the united states and each of them need a postage stamp to reach their final destination. The special cancellation will be available through dec. Austria issued its own christmas stamps in 1937 featuring a rose and zodiac signs. Christmas holiday stamps who we are usps about usps home. This first christmas stamp was exceedingly popular, and the bureau of engraving and printing ultimately produced almost 862 million of them. The first, mistletoe, symbolizes peace, according to ancient tradition. Even though no face value is printed, the stamp is still worth 29 cents postage. It was the map issue of 1898 and said xmas 1898 on the stamp. Many people reckon that the 1943 hungary stamps were the first real christmas stamps depicting the message to the shepherds, the nativity, and the adoration of the magi. Christmas issue was unique in that it was the first time the post office had printed more than one stamp design on one sheet.
Featuring a pair of white candles and a wreath with a red bow, it was attacked for. They can even be bought at some atms automatic teller machines using a bank card. This year, the us post office will print more than 4 billion christmas postage stamps. In addition to the new stamps they also continue to offer a handful of wellloved postage designs from previous years. A letter from philatelia hungarica states the first christmas stamp in hungary was issued in december 1943. The first norwegian stamp for christmas post was issued in 1971. A christmas stamp is a postage stamp with a christmas theme, intended for use on seasonal mail such as christmas cards. Customers had requested such a stamp for years, postmaster general j. Greens catalog is offered on the christmas seal literature page, and is published by the christmas seal and charity stamp society. The postal service celebrates christmas with a new stamp featuring a traditional nativity scene. Waupaca is still waiting to be the first day city for a christmas stamp issuance. Keep track of news surrounding new and classic stamps of the u. The busiest time of year for the usps, christmas is the season for sending christmas cards to friends and family and the use of holiday theme stamps is a part of this tradition. In 1996, the postal service paid tribute to hanukkah, the jewish festival of lights, by issuing the first hanukkah stamp, which featured a stylized illustration of a menorah.
It is a matter of some debate as to which was the first christmas stamp. Postal service issued the nativity stamp forever in one design, in a pressuresensitive adhesive psa booklet of 20 stamps item 681200. The stamp honoring christmas was a result of a misunderstanding. What was the value of the christmas 1991 postage stamp. The united states post office department issued its first christmas stamp in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, on november 1, 1962. This year marks 52 years since the introduction of the royal mails annual christmas stamp tradition. Over 17 billion christmas stamps have been printed since the first ones in 1966. This has led me to the conclusion that hungarys 1943 set. Each year the united states postal service releases new holidaythemed postage stamps for the billions of christmas cards, letters, and postcards sent by americans each holiday season.
The united states post office department issued its first christmas stamp in pittsburgh. Christmas stamps usps postage stamps for holiday mail. The 1991 christmas stamps issued by the united states in a set of six different designs were not denominated. How the first christmas stamp came to be professional stamp. This has led me to the conclusion that hungarys 1943 set is the worlds first christmas stamp. Wreaths first of several holidaythemed stamps for 2019.
Firstclass mail service is an affordable and easy way to send envelopes and lightweight packages. In december 1898, canada issued a 2cent stamp with the words xmas 1898 on it. The first nativity stamp emerged from hungary in 1943. The 1 cent z grill stamp printed has the profile of benjamin franklin on the stamp design. However, the first definitives in the history of the us postage stamps did not have perforation marks. It is widely considered that the first official christmas stamp was issued in 1898. A christmas stamp is a postage stamp with a christmas theme, intended for use on seasonal. This take on minted was made by undefined from, a member of minteds community of independent artists. Which was the first us state to issue a christmas postage. Each block of four contains four different illustrations that were issued attached or setenant. So who can lay claim to issuing the first christmas stamp. Canada was the first country to issue a stamp for christmas, although history suggests it was a bit of an accident. Early selfadhesive postage stamps of the usa issued in. Post office christmas stamp postal employee network.
In what year did the us postal system issue first christmas. Shop our selection of holiday stamps on the postal store. Anticipating a huge demand for the new christmas stamp, the department had 350 million printed the largest number produced for a special stamp until that time. And in 1939, brazil issued its own, decidedly more christmassy, stamps featuring the three kings, a star, and an angel.
What year was the first christmas stamp issued in the. But the stamp wasnt originally intended to celebrate the holidays. Postage stamps for the christmas holiday have been an annual tradition since first issued in 1962. The first christmas stamp a history of holiday postage. Over 3, 700, 000 pieces of the 5c american stamp were sold. Lack of denomination creates confusion over 1991 christmas. Sep 28, 2007 today christmas stamps are sold by many countries during the holiday season and are used to add a little color and cheer to christmas cards and letters. This article refers to the early selfadhesive postage stamps of the usa, issued from between november 1989 through december 1994, specifically those issued in strips for use in affixing machines used for the placement of stamps on firstday covers. Oct 31, 2018 this year marks 52 years since the introduction of the royal mails annual christmas stamp tradition. On the first day of christmas my trve love sent to me.
History of us postage stamps the first united states stamp. Post offices in england and the netherlands also issued stamps with christmasrelated themes. Whether it was issued specifically for christmas or not, it bears the words xmas 1898 and therefore i think it rightly deserves the title of first christmas stamp. Today christmas stamps are sold by many countries during the holiday season and are used to add a little color and cheer to christmas cards and letters. When a stamp with no stated value looks like a colorful nonpostage label, it should not be a surprise when a united states postal service employee rejects it as invalid for postage, as was the case with this 1991 christmas stamp. Figure 2 shows a block of four on a wreathcacheted fleetwood first day cover, one of 491,312 fdcs serviced november 1, 1962, at pittsburgh, pennsylvania. Postage stamps and postal history of the united states. Choose from a collection of holiday themed designs or personalize any stamp with your own initials or name. The curiosity of this issue was that this was the first stamp on the world which depicted expressly christmas scene.
An alliance for those who enjoy letter writing and postal adventures. It was also the first commemorative stamp to be wholly produced by offset lithography. During the stamp dedication ceremony, postmaster general j. The holy family stamp celebrates christmas with a scene from the nativity story that reminds us of the joys of the season. You can even create your own stamp to match your christmas stationery perfectly. Many more nations took up the practice during the 1960s, including the united states 1962 and united kingdom 1966. The first christmas stamp issued by the united states in the year my. First day of issue seasonal, christmas us stamp covers for.
Post offices in england and the netherlands also issued stamps with christmas related themes. Edward day said during the stamp dedication ceremony, adding that the stamp would be the first in a series of christmas stamps. It was a canadian stamp featuring the text xmas 1898. Dec 23, 2014 so who can lay claim to issuing the first christmas stamp. The first postage stamp for christmas was issued in 1937 in austria.
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