Presentation By Arnie Janson
Christmas stamps hold a special place in the hearts of collectors, offering a rich history, intricate designs, and occasional printing anomalies that make them even more fascinating. From rare misprints to special editions, each stamp tells a story. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most interesting Christmas stamp varieties, their historical context, and the joy they bring to collectors and holiday enthusiasts alike.
1. Early Christmas Postcards and Stamps We begin our journey with a 1909 Christmas postcard from the Edwardian era. This beautiful piece features an unusual bisected stamp, which was a common practice at the time due to postal rate changes. It’s a glimpse into how Christmas stamps were used in the early 20th century, with stunning designs that remain popular among collectors today.
2. Christmas Seals and Airmail to Australia (1934) The 1934 Christmas seal on a registered airmail envelope to Australia is an exciting example of postal history. This cover, traveling via Imperial Airways from Montreal to South Melbourne, took 25 days to arrive, just in time for Christmas. The use of the Christmas seal as postage showcases how these holiday stamps could be creatively utilized in postal systems.
3. The 1969 Christmas Stamp Variety: Missing Black Ink A fascinating printing error from 1969 shows a missing black ink variety on the Christmas stamp. This variety, with the omission of key elements like the black outline and design details, makes it a sought-after stamp for collectors interested in print anomalies.
4. Children’s Christmas Stamps: A 1997 Special Edition In 1997, Canada Post held a contest for children to design Christmas stamps, resulting in a set of twelve stamps featuring the artwork of young Canadians. These stamps were not only a special way to involve youth in the holiday spirit but also included signed cards from the children who designed them, making them extra special for collectors.
5. War Savings Christmas Cards: A Unique WWII Era Tradition During the 1940s, Canada issued special Christmas cards with 25-cent war savings stamps inside. These cards encouraged citizens, even children, to save for the war effort. When a book of these stamps was filled, it could be redeemed for a war savings certificate. This unique form of wartime investment not only supported the economy but also introduced a creative way to raise funds for the war effort during the holiday season.
6. The 1978 Double Printing Error: A Christmas Misprint One of the most intriguing misprints in Christmas stamp history occurred in 1978, when a Christmas stamp was printed with a double purple and quadruple black ink. This error, where colors overlapped in unusual ways, became a prized specimen for collectors and remains a notable piece in philatelic history.
7. The Christmas Seal as Postage: A 1983 Variety In 1983, Canada Post issued a Christmas seal that was intended for holiday greetings but was also used as postage. The seal was printed on high-bright paper, a standard material that led to another variety of interest for collectors. The variety shows the flexibility and creativity in postal systems during the holiday season.
8. Die-Cutting Error: The 2008 Stamp with Omitted Perforations One of the rarest Christmas stamp varieties is the 2008 booklet with omitted die-cut perforations. These stamps, which should have had cut-outs for easy separation, were accidentally printed without the perforations. This variety has become highly collectible, with individual pairs selling for upwards of $300 due to their rarity.
9. The 1996 Cancellation Before Issue Date In 1996, a Christmas stamp was canceled days before its official release date. The stamp’s cancellation occurred in two different locations—Deauville and Sherbrooke—both of which were hundreds of kilometers apart. This coincidence sparked curiosity among collectors, as the stamps were not yet officially issued when they were canceled.
10. Little Bubbles on Christmas Stamps: A Print Defect A quirky anomaly known as “little bubbles” appeared on certain Christmas stamps, particularly in the blue printing. These imperfections, caused by issues in the printing plate, are visible as small raised areas that appear in the design. While not every stamp has them, their recurrence in multiple sheets of stamps has made them a fascinating area of study for philatelists.
11. Engaging Kids with Christmas Stamps: A Fun Activity Idea If you have grandkids or young relatives, why not introduce them to the world of stamp collecting? A fun project could involve creating personalized Christmas stamp collections, where they can design their own stamps or decorate cards with stamps they’ve collected. This not only fosters creativity but also introduces them to the joys of philately.
Conclusion: Christmas stamps are more than just holiday mail; they are historical treasures, full of variety and stories waiting to be told. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a newcomer to the world of philately, these stamps offer a fascinating way to explore both the artistic and practical sides of postal history. From rare misprints to unique commemorative designs, each stamp holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and holiday enthusiasts alike. Happy collecting, and may your holiday season be filled with both joy and the thrill of discovery!
