# 4815b - 2013 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Virgin and Child

U.S. # 4815b
2013 46¢ Virgin and Child by Jan Gossaert Imperforate

Traditional Christmas

This stamp pictures the 16th century painting Virgin and Child in a Landscape.

Jan Gossaert (circa 1478-1532) set the course for future artists in northern Europe. Born in Maubeuge, Flanders, now part of northern France, he developed skill as a portraitist early in his career. After traveling to Italy, Gossaert adopted the style of the Italian Renaissance. He was the first Flemish artist to visit the country known for its classical art.

Gossaert was commissioned to paint Biblical scenes for churches. He also became well-known for his depictions of mythological subjects, which decorated the castle walls of his patron, Philip of Burgundy.

After Philip’s death, Gossaert was supported by Mencía de Mendoza, an important art collector and one of the richest women in Spain. In 1531, he created Virgin and Child in a Landscape from which this 2013 Christmas stamp is taken. The artist portrays Mary in a thoughtful pose. Art historians believe she is contemplating her son’s future and the suffering he would endure. The child’s muscular body shows the influence of Italian art, while the face is similar to Gossaert’s native Flemish style.

Much of Gossaert’s work has been lost over time. The pieces that do remain give evidence of the artist’s innovative design, combining his northern European roots with Renaissance ideals.

The oil-on-wood painting that appears on #4815 comes from the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.  Gossaert’s art has appeared on two other U.S. stamps – #3675 and #3820 – the 2002 and 2003 Traditional Christmas issues both featured a detail from his 1520 painting, Madonna and Child. 

Value: 46¢ 1-ounce first-class letter rate

Issued:  October 11, 2013

First Day City:  New York, NY

Type of Stamp: Commemorative
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America for Sennett Security Products
Method: Offset printing in sheets of 480 in 24 booklets of 20
Perforation: Imperforate

Self-Adhesive

The first U.S. Christmas stamp was issued in 1962.  Since then, there have been both religious and contemporary Christmas stamps issued each year.  Most of the religious issues have pictured a classical version of the Madonna and Child.  Click here to learn more about the Traditional Christmas series.

Scarce Modern Imperforates

The modern imperforate stamps are one of the hottest stories around.  In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service released some issues as press sheets.  The sheets with die cut perforations were issued in limited quantities. 

To the surprise of many collectors, officials then issued a small number of press sheets without perforations.  The uncut sheets were only available in Kansas City, Missouri, yet most sold out immediately.  In an instant, the imperforate stamp sheets became modern rarities.  For example, only 75,000 Baseball All-Star se-tenant sheets were issued compared to 118,000 Bugs Bunny sheets with the 10th stamp imperforate.

In a controversial move, the editors of Scott Catalogue announced they would not list or give numbers to these stamps because they did not fit Scott guidelines.  This decision was strongly debated since the imperforate stamps are valid for postage.  They eventually decided to give the stamps minor numbers and have continued issuing imperforates in the years since.

Because they were issued in such limited quantities, these scarce modern imperforates can be difficult to find.  Luckily Mystic purchased a small number of each imperforate stamp issued so you can add these modern rarities to your collection.  Be one of the lucky few – order today.