A couple of First Day Covers (actually my only Christmas FDCs)The postmarks from Bethlehem, Pennsylvannia and Christmas Valley, Oregon are a nice touch
this is one of four issued in 1964 - the conifer. the others were of a mistletoe, holly, and poinsettia
in 1981 there was both a religious and a secular stamp
the Madonna & Child is a Botticelli which you can find in the Art Institute of Chicago. the other stamp is of a felt bear in a sleigh. these stamps are non-denominational because the post office hadn't decided on the pending rate change in time. they ultimately became the first stamps issued with the new 20c first class rate.
and I included this one because I think the stamp is cute, but also because it was mailed in Wales so has Welsh written on the postmark and the air mail sticker
and also because of the message dear not only to family and loved ones, but also to any card and stamp collector
Merry Christmas everyone!
see more Christmas stamps from around the world here
The cat and mouse stamp is sweet! Merry Christmas to you, and thank you for participating!
ReplyDeleteVery nice Christmas stamps! I spend a few examining the details of each. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHow great to have Christmas place names. Nice covers too. I've never seen a welsh air mail sticker, I suppose I live too near:-) I wasn't too sure of this years stamps but they have grown on me.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you.
Sentiment is not hard to find at Christmas time. I am not short of it myself this year. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteGreat FDCs, but you surprised with the stamp from Wales, yet another GB stamp unknown to me.
ReplyDeleteGave a Happy Christmas.
I love Christmas stamps, those are really pretty. Ours (UK) this year are not all that marvellous, and they kept them small, which is a shame! I like the double sized ones, with REALLY Christmassy things on!
ReplyDeleteThese are SO cool! Yes, When the kids were small, we were on the road so much as a family, that we decorated early in order to have time to enjoy the tree. We invested in an artificial tree--which we still use today, because a true blue real Christmas tree would dry out while we were on the road. It is over 15 years old. lol
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas. I like the last stamp best.
ReplyDeleteI like this collection and the Welsh stamp with the cat is very cute.
ReplyDeleteI was looking at the cat and mouse stamp, thinking "that looks familiar"... Yes, it's our top value stamp for this year. My excuse is that I haven't used that top rate. The one I like best though, is the teddy bear on the sleigh.
ReplyDeleteI always like seeing which Christmas stamps they print each year.
ReplyDeleteThat 1964 FDC with a postmark from Bethlehem: amazing! I love it! The stamp is simple (but sweet) but the design on the envelope is retro-wonderful. I had no idea there was a Bethlehem in the US. There you go! Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThe stamps are lovely and very festive! Love the cat and rabbit. So far, I haven't come across that one.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas, VS.
Maggie x
Nuts in May
cute!
ReplyDeletemerry christmas!