On November 3, 2016, in Washington DC, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Nativity stamp (Forever® priced at 47 cents), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) booklet of 20 stamps.
The stamp will go on sale nationwide November 3, 2016.
The Postal Service™ celebrates Christmas with a new stamp featuring a traditional Nativity scene. The stamp art depicts a peaceful yet powerful image of the Holy Family silhouetted against a dawn sky. The baby Jesus lies in a straw-filled manger in the center of the picture with Mary kneeling to the right and Joseph standing to the left, holding a lantern. A bright star shines over the scene. The Gospel of Luke relates how Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census decreed by the Roman emperor. The Gospel says: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Nancy Stahl.
That simple description has been an inspiration for artists since at least the fourth century. In 1223, St. Francis of Assisi is believed to have created the first créche. Derived from an Old French word for “manger” or “crib,” créche came to signify a representation of the Nativity scene. Since then, créches have ranged in style from simple sets holding only the Holy Family to elaborate, life-size panoramas that might include shepherds, the Three Wise Men, animals, angels, or the Star of Bethlehem. As the tradition spread to other areas of the world, the créches came to reflect local cultures, with figures in native costume surrounded by animals familiar to the créche maker-a Kenyan elephant, a Navajo skunk, or a Peruvian llama, for example.
Nativity is being issued in booklets of 20 Forever® stamps. This Forever® stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at http:??www.usps.com?shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
Nativity Stamp
Stamp Fulfillment Services
Cancellation Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144-9998
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by January 3, 2017.
How to Order First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at www.usps.com?shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:
U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
There are seven philatelic products for this stamp issue:
- n 681206, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $75.20.
- n 681210*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
- n 681216*, First-Day Cover, $0.91.
- n 681221*, Digital Color Postmark, $1.62.
- n 681224*, Framed Art, $19.95.
- n 681230*, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
- n 681266*, Notecards (set of 10), $15.95.
source: USPS