1964 5c Christmas Holly

 

Issue Date: November 9, 1964
City: Bethlehem, PA
Quantity: 351,940,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Giori Press
Perforations: 11
Color: Green, carmine, and black

U.S. #1254, part of the third U.S. Christmas stamp issue, pictures Christmas holly. Traditionally, holly symbolizes the thorns placed upon Christ’s head.

 

This third U.S. Christmas issue was unique in that it was the first time the Post Office had printed more than one stamp design on one sheet. Each block of four contains four different illustrations that were issued attached or “se-tenant.” This comes from the French term meaning, “to hold one another.”