USPS Unveils New Hanukkah Forever Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service’s new Hanukkah Forever stamp
As part of the U.S. Postal Service’s contemporary holiday stamps for this year, there is included a Hanukkah Forever stamp. The holiday stamps this year highlight the role windows play during the holidays and the Hanukah stamp, which features a warm, elegant illustration of a holiday menorah in the window of a home, fits nicely within the theme. Portraying winter nights, these elegant stamps showcase ways we observe traditions and spread cheer, letting us delight in the snow when we’re inside while also sharing our warmth and merriment with the outside world. Other stamps in the series, which are available in booklets of 20 with each design repeated five times, feature a candle, a wreath, a star and a lighted tree. The stamps are sure to add a dash of winter bliss to letters and cards during the year’s coldest months.
“The Hanukkah stamp we’re dedicating today honors a religious observance that is more than 2,000 years old — and how appropriate that the word itself — Hanukkah — means ‘dedication’ in Hebrew,” said U.S. Postal Service Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President David Williams the other day. “This beautiful stamp depicts a warm, elegant illustration of a holiday menorah in the window of a home. The white window trim is visible through the branches of the menorah, which echo a tangle of snow-covered tree branches beyond the glass. Artist William Low added visual interest to the scene by highlighting the contrast between the hot candle flames and the cool snow, the vertical candles and the horizontal window frame, and the dark menorah with the brightly lit candles.” Williams continued, “This beautiful image of remembrance, light and love will travel on letters and packages to millions of households and businesses throughout America and around the world.”
The creation of the visuals of the stamp for Low were based off of photographic references. “I used photos for inspiration, but did not actually copy any one photograph,” said Low, who worked under art director Ethel Kessler, who designed the stamp. “I found photos of snow on branches, menorah, candles and candle light, but made up the window frame. I used these elements to compose a scene, using the dusk time of day for the overall color scheme and mood.” As to the use of wax candles instead of, say, oil-based candles, it would seem that the choice reflects the broader use of wax candles amongst American Jewry to light Hanukah candles than oil-based candles.
Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. For those wishing to order first-day-of-issue postmark by mail, they may purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at The Postal Store website, 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:
Hanukkah 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 Jan. 1, 2017.
