Holiday preview

USPS announces more seasonal stamps

July 25, 2018 at 9 a.m. ET

Collage of four stamps — The new holiday stamps include, from left, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Global: Poinsettia and Madonna and Child by Bachiacca.

The Postal Service has announced more stamps for the upcoming holiday season, including new releases and past favorites.

Here’s what’s new:

• Global: Poinsettia. This Global Forever stamp can be used to mail a 1-ounce letter to any country where First-Class Mail International service is available. The stamp features a photo of a poinsettia taken from above.

• Madonna and Child by Bachiacca. This Christmas stamp features a detail from a 1520s work by Francesco d’Ubertino Verdi (1494–1557), the Italian Renaissance painter known as Bachiacca. The painting shows the Christ child clutching a bouquet of jasmine, a symbol of divine love, alongside the Virgin Mary’s profile.

• Kwanzaa. This new design continues the Postal Service’s tradition of celebrating the Pan-African holiday that takes place from Dec. 26-Jan. 1 each year. The stamp depicts a man, woman and child adorned in a mixture of western and traditional clothing near a table with several important Kwanzaa symbols, including a candleholder and unity cup.

• Hanukkah. This stamp, a joint release with Israel Post, features a menorah created using the techniques of the old Jewish folk art of papercutting. The design also includes a shape reminiscent of an ancient oil jug that represents the heart of the Hanukkah miracle, as well as dreidels and a pomegranate plant with fruit and flowers.

USPS also recently announced Sparkling Holidays, four new stamps that showcase classic images of Santa Claus painted by famed commercial artist Haddon Sundblom.

Other stamps that will be available this year include Diwali and Eid Greetings, as well as Nativity, Christmas Carols, Florentine Madonna and Child and previous Hanukkah and Kwanzaa releases, while supplies last.

Additional information about the stamps will be announced before the holiday season.

Poinsettia round stamp

The Global: Poinsettia stamp can be used to mail a 1-ounce letter to any country where First-Class Mail International service is available.The Global: Poinsettia stamp can be used to mail a 1-ounce letter to any country where First-Class Mail International service is available.

Stamp showing Italian painting of Mary and the Christ child

Madonna and Child by Bachiacca features a detail from his “Madonna and Child” painting that dates to the early 1520s.Madonna and Child by Bachiacca features a detail from his “Madonna and Child” painting that dates to the early 1520s.

Stamp showing illustration of African-American man, woman and child

This year’s Kwanzaa stamp will be the seventh release since 1997 that honors the Pan-African holiday.This year’s Kwanzaa stamp will be the seventh release since 1997 that honors the Pan-African holiday.

Stamp showing menorah

The new Hanukkah stamp will be issued jointly with Israel Post.The new Hanukkah stamp will be issued jointly with Israel Post.

Four stamps showing Santa Claus

Sparkling Holidays, which USPS announced in June, showcase classic images of Santa Claus painted by famed commercial artist Haddon Sundblom.Sparkling Holidays, which USPS announced in June, showcase classic images of Santa Claus painted by famed commercial artist Haddon Sundblom.

Stamp showing lit candle

The Diwali stamp, released in 2016, celebrates one of the most important annual Hindu events.The Diwali stamp, released in 2016, celebrates one of the most important annual Hindu events.

Stamp showing Arabic writing

Eid Greetings, first issued in 2016, commemorates the two most important festivals — or eids — in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.Eid Greetings, first issued in 2016, commemorates the two most important festivals — or eids — in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Stamp showing Joseph, Mary and Jesus

The Nativity stamp, originally issued in 2016, features a peaceful image of the Holy Family silhouetted against a dawn sky.The Nativity stamp, originally issued in 2016, features a peaceful image of the Holy Family silhouetted against a dawn sky.

Stamps showing holiday images

The Christmas Carols stamps, released in 2017, feature lyrics from “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night” and “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.”The Christmas Carols stamps, released in 2017, feature lyrics from “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night” and “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.”

Stamp showing Mary and the Christ Child

Florentine Madonna and Child, released in 2016, features a detail of “Madonna and Child,” a 15th-century painting in the Widener Collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.Florentine Madonna and Child, released in 2016, features a detail of “Madonna and Child,” a 15th-century painting in the Widener Collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

Stamp showing illustration of African-American woman

The 2016 Kwanzaa stamp features a young African-American woman as the embodiment of Africa.The 2016 Kwanzaa stamp features a young African-American woman as the embodiment of Africa.

Stamp showing a menorah

The 2016 Hanukkah stamp depicts a menorah in the window of a home, viewed as if inside a room.The 2016 Hanukkah stamp depicts a menorah in the window of a home, viewed as if inside a room.

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