# 2027-30 - 1982 20c 1982 20c Contemporary Christmas: Season's Greetings
U.S. #2027-30
1982 20¢ Season's Greetings
Contemporary Christmas
- 18th Contemporary Christmas issue
- Depicts children enjoying fun winter activities
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Contemporary Christmas
Value: 20¢, first-class rate
First Day of Issue: October 28, 1982
First Day City: Snow, Oklahoma
Quantity Issued: 197,220,000 blocks
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Printing Method: Photogravure
Format: Panes of 50 in sheets of 200
Perforations: 11
Why the stamps were issued: For use on winter and holiday mail.
About the stamp designs: The 1982 Seasons Greetings stamps express the popular theme that Christmas is a time for children. Designed by Dolli Tingle, the stamps feature colorful illustrations of children at play in the snow, sledding, skating, building a snowman, and decorating a Christmas tree.
First Day City: The First Day ceremony for the Season’s Greetings stamps was held at the Recreation Center in Snow, Oklahoma.
Unusual fact about these stamps: Imperforate error stamps have been found.
About the Contemporary Christmas series: The US issued its first Christmas stamp (picturing a wreath and candles) on November 1, 1962, and it was wildly popular. The Post Office printed 350 million stamps, the largest print run for a special stamp up to that time, but still the stamps quickly sold out. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced more to satisfy demand and the total number issued was over 860 million by the end of the year.
In 1966, the Post Office started issuing traditional themed Christmas stamps picturing the Madonna and Child and other religious icons. In 1969, they switched back to non-religious Christmas designs with a stamp picturing the painting Winter Sunday in Norway, Maine.
Finally, in 1970, the Post Office decided to permanently split Christmas stamps into two categories to satisfy everyone: Traditional and Contemporary. They issued a block of four stamps picturing Christmas toys along with a stamp picturing a classic painting of the Nativity. The decision to do both proved popular, and the Post Office has continued to issue stamps in both categories ever since.
History the stamps represent: In climates where the temperature drops in the winter months, ice and snow can pose quite an inconvenience. Roads get slippery, traffic slows down, windows stay closed, and the days seem short and dark. But there are many fun ways to take advantage of the chilly weather conditions.
When the powder settles, birds that weather the cold north emerge. The snow-laden ground under a feeder might be dotted with chickadees or little yellow goldfinches. The attentive birdwatcher may even spy an occasional cardinal or blue jay perched outside a frosted window.
In the coldest months, ponds and lakes freeze solid, providing natural skating rinks. Children and adults alike take to the ice for recreation or sport. Throughout the season, loops and figure eights are lightly carved into the ice.
Blizzards and snow squalls provide fresh new supplies for snowmen, snow forts, and snow angels. Each dusting creates a new canvas for the winter artists. Children spend hours playing and creating frosty works of art before going inside to thaw and maybe warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
Though the season may sometimes seem dark and dreary, with the right motivation winter fun is limited only by the imagination.
U.S. #2027-30
1982 20¢ Season's Greetings
Contemporary Christmas
- 18th Contemporary Christmas issue
- Depicts children enjoying fun winter activities
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Contemporary Christmas
Value: 20¢, first-class rate
First Day of Issue: October 28, 1982
First Day City: Snow, Oklahoma
Quantity Issued: 197,220,000 blocks
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Printing Method: Photogravure
Format: Panes of 50 in sheets of 200
Perforations: 11
Why the stamps were issued: For use on winter and holiday mail.
About the stamp designs: The 1982 Seasons Greetings stamps express the popular theme that Christmas is a time for children. Designed by Dolli Tingle, the stamps feature colorful illustrations of children at play in the snow, sledding, skating, building a snowman, and decorating a Christmas tree.
First Day City: The First Day ceremony for the Season’s Greetings stamps was held at the Recreation Center in Snow, Oklahoma.
Unusual fact about these stamps: Imperforate error stamps have been found.
About the Contemporary Christmas series: The US issued its first Christmas stamp (picturing a wreath and candles) on November 1, 1962, and it was wildly popular. The Post Office printed 350 million stamps, the largest print run for a special stamp up to that time, but still the stamps quickly sold out. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced more to satisfy demand and the total number issued was over 860 million by the end of the year.
In 1966, the Post Office started issuing traditional themed Christmas stamps picturing the Madonna and Child and other religious icons. In 1969, they switched back to non-religious Christmas designs with a stamp picturing the painting Winter Sunday in Norway, Maine.
Finally, in 1970, the Post Office decided to permanently split Christmas stamps into two categories to satisfy everyone: Traditional and Contemporary. They issued a block of four stamps picturing Christmas toys along with a stamp picturing a classic painting of the Nativity. The decision to do both proved popular, and the Post Office has continued to issue stamps in both categories ever since.
History the stamps represent: In climates where the temperature drops in the winter months, ice and snow can pose quite an inconvenience. Roads get slippery, traffic slows down, windows stay closed, and the days seem short and dark. But there are many fun ways to take advantage of the chilly weather conditions.
When the powder settles, birds that weather the cold north emerge. The snow-laden ground under a feeder might be dotted with chickadees or little yellow goldfinches. The attentive birdwatcher may even spy an occasional cardinal or blue jay perched outside a frosted window.
In the coldest months, ponds and lakes freeze solid, providing natural skating rinks. Children and adults alike take to the ice for recreation or sport. Throughout the season, loops and figure eights are lightly carved into the ice.
Blizzards and snow squalls provide fresh new supplies for snowmen, snow forts, and snow angels. Each dusting creates a new canvas for the winter artists. Children spend hours playing and creating frosty works of art before going inside to thaw and maybe warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
Though the season may sometimes seem dark and dreary, with the right motivation winter fun is limited only by the imagination.