# 5541 - 2020 First-Class Forever Stamps - Winter Scenes: Belgian Draft Horses
US #5541
2020 Two Horses – Winter Scenes
- One of 10 stamps picturing snowy scenes showing off just how beautiful winter can be
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Winter Scenes
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: October 16, 2020
First Day City: Winter Park, Florida
Quantity Issued: 400,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Double-sided booklets of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III, block tag
Why the stamp was issued: To remember the fun of riding in a horse-drawn sleigh.
About the stamp design: Pictures a photograph of a team of horses pulling a sleigh through the snow.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic with a First Day of Issue postmark from Winter Park, Florida.
About the Winter Scenes set: A set of 10 stamp designs picturing different photographs of animals, buildings, and landscapes in winter. Meant as reminders that winter isn’t all cold and snow, it has moments of real beauty, too.
History the stamp represents: Before modern roads and snow-clearing methods, many people relied on sleighs to travel through snowy conditions. There were many different types of sleighs, some that were more about function, and others that were more luxurious.
One of the most basic sleigh designs was technically not a sleigh at all. It was called a cutter or light sleigh and included just one seat. These could be pulled by a single horse and were built in either the Albany or Portland style. Albany cutters had a curved design while Portland cutters were more angular and square-bodied.
Four-passenger sleighs, on the other hand, were more ornate and designed for comfort. They were given extra design pieces that served no practical function, but made the sleighs especially pleasing to the eye. Some four-passenger sleighs even had storage space underneath the seats, allowing travelers to stow their belongings and feel less crowded on their journey.
Today, we have plenty of options for winter travel. However, there are still plenty of scenic winter sleigh tours available across the northern United States. Riding through the snow while listening to the gentle ringing of sleigh bells is something everyone should experience.
US #5541
2020 Two Horses – Winter Scenes
- One of 10 stamps picturing snowy scenes showing off just how beautiful winter can be
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Winter Scenes
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: October 16, 2020
First Day City: Winter Park, Florida
Quantity Issued: 400,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Double-sided booklets of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III, block tag
Why the stamp was issued: To remember the fun of riding in a horse-drawn sleigh.
About the stamp design: Pictures a photograph of a team of horses pulling a sleigh through the snow.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic with a First Day of Issue postmark from Winter Park, Florida.
About the Winter Scenes set: A set of 10 stamp designs picturing different photographs of animals, buildings, and landscapes in winter. Meant as reminders that winter isn’t all cold and snow, it has moments of real beauty, too.
History the stamp represents: Before modern roads and snow-clearing methods, many people relied on sleighs to travel through snowy conditions. There were many different types of sleighs, some that were more about function, and others that were more luxurious.
One of the most basic sleigh designs was technically not a sleigh at all. It was called a cutter or light sleigh and included just one seat. These could be pulled by a single horse and were built in either the Albany or Portland style. Albany cutters had a curved design while Portland cutters were more angular and square-bodied.
Four-passenger sleighs, on the other hand, were more ornate and designed for comfort. They were given extra design pieces that served no practical function, but made the sleighs especially pleasing to the eye. Some four-passenger sleighs even had storage space underneath the seats, allowing travelers to stow their belongings and feel less crowded on their journey.
Today, we have plenty of options for winter travel. However, there are still plenty of scenic winter sleigh tours available across the northern United States. Riding through the snow while listening to the gentle ringing of sleigh bells is something everyone should experience.