# 4824a - 2013 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Hanukkah

U.S. # 4824a
2013 46¢ Hanukkah Imperforate

Holiday Celebrations

Hanukkah is a celebration of a miracle that occurred at the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 B.C., when the Maccabees revolted against Syrian King Antiochus IV. The temple was reclaimed, but only enough purified oil was on hand to keep its light burning for one night. Yet the lamp burned for eight days, allowing the Maccabees time to purify more oil. Since that time, Jewish people celebrate the “Festival of Lights” each year for eight days.

The lighting of the menorah is a joyous Hanukkah tradition guided by symbolic rituals. The Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum, which holds eight candles that will be lit each night of the holiday. The ninth branch holds the shamash (helper) candle, which is used to light the others. Hanukkah candles are all the same height, but the shamash candle must be separate and longer.

Candles are placed in the menorah, one per day during the holiday, moving right to left. They are lit in the opposite direction after the first star of the night appears. Two blessings are said during the lighting, with a third recited on the first evening.

Menorahs were originally placed outside homes to the left of the doorpost. Today they are displayed in windows or built outdoors, including two 32-foot menorahs that mark the holiday in New York City.

The 2013 Hanukkah stamp features a photograph of a forged-iron menorah created by Vermont blacksmith Steven Bronstein holding nine lighted beeswax candles.  These stamps were put on sale in post offices on November 9, though the first day ceremony took place on the 19th.

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

Issued:  November 19, 2013

First Day City:  New York, NY

Type of Stamp: Commemorative
Printed by: Ashton Potter USA Ltd.
Method: Offset printing in sheets of 160 in 8 panes of 20

Perforation: Imperforate

Self-Adhesive

The U.S.P.S. issued its first Hanukkah stamp in 1996.  The stamp, #3118, was the first in a new Holiday Celebrations Series honoring different cultural and ethnic holidays.  Click here to learn more about U.S. Hanukkah stamps.

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.