US #5427
2019 Ivy & Red Winterberry Wreath – Holiday Wreaths
• Celebrates the holiday season with wreaths featuring both traditional and contemporary designs.
Stamp Category: Definitive
Set: Holiday Wreaths
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: October 25, 2019
First Day City: Freeport, Ma... more
US #5427
2019 Ivy & Red Winterberry Wreath – Holiday Wreaths
• Celebrates the holiday season with wreaths featuring both traditional and contemporary designs.
Stamp Category: Definitive
Set: Holiday Wreaths
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: October 25, 2019
First Day City: Freeport, Maine
Quantity Issued: 350,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Double-sided Booklet of 20
Tagging: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block Tagged
Why the stamps were issued: To commemorate the beauty of holiday wreaths.
About the stamp designs: Pictures a holiday wreath created with woodland bush ivy and red winterberries. The wreath was designed by floral artist Laura Dowling and photographed by Kevin Allen.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Freeport, Maine, at the L.L. Bean flagship store.
About the Holiday Wreaths set: Includes four designs continuing the tradition of holiday-themed postage stamps, although it’s not technically part of the Traditional or Contemporary Christmas Series. Each of the four stamps pictures a different holiday wreath created by floral artist Laura Dowling and photographed by Kevin Allen. There is a wreath with aspidistra leaves folded to resemble ribbons, gilded pinecone and magnolia pod wreath with red ribbon, red and gold ribbon wreath with dried flowers, and woodland bush ivy wreath with red winterberries.
History the stamp represents: Holly and ivy have been symbols of the holiday season since the early 1800s. They are featured in the famous carol “The Holly and the Ivy” and are used as decoration in homes all over the world.
Like the other evergreen plants found during the winter season, holly and ivy have a variety of decorative uses. They are draped over the mantle, wrapped around staircase banisters, used to frame doorways, and even included in holiday wreaths. Holly is especially popular due to its bright red berries, but some species of ivy produce berries as well (though they are usually white or pale yellow).
In Christianity, holly represents the newborn baby Jesus, while ivy represents his mother, the Virgin Mary. In Old World heraldry (symbols used on banners, crests, and other similar items), holly is a symbol of truth. Other cultures believe holly to be protective against evil, especially when the leaves are worn in the hair. Similar traits are associated with ivy, too, though it is also said to be a symbol of love and friendship.
In 2019, the USPS released a set of four Holiday Wreaths stamps with one picturing a wreath made from holly and ivy. Between the cultural traditions of the plants and their lasting beauty, there can be no better choice for a front door holiday wreath.
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