Merry Christmas

Christmas Stamps

Many nations have issued commemorative stamps at Christmas. Postal customers often use
these stamps for the mailing of cards. They are regular postage stamps and are valid
for postage throughout the years.

The Christmas stamps usually go on sale between October and December, and are printed
in considerable quantities. In 1898 a Canadian stamp was issued to mark the inauguration
of the Imperial Penny Postage rate. The stamp features a map of the globe and bears an
inscription "XMAS 1898" at the bottom.

In 1937, Austria issued two "Christmas greeting stamps" featuring a rose and the signs of
the zodiac.

In 1939, Brazil issued four postal stamps with designs featuring the three kings and a star
of Bethlehem, an angel and child, the Southern Cross and a child, and a mother and child.

The United States Postal Service regularly issues both a religious and a secular stamp yearly.



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