# 5812-15 - 2023 First-Class Forever Stamps - Pinatas
US #5812-15
2023 Piñatas
- Picture colorful piñatas representing a popular tradition in Mexican culture that has slowly spread to the United States and beyond
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 66¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: September 8, 2023
First Day City: Roswell, New Mexico
Quantity Issued: 150,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Double-sided Booklets of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III, block tagged
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the tradition of piñatas in Mexican culture.
About the stamp design: Each pictures a colorful digital illustration of traditional piñata designs – donkeys and seven-point stars. The colors were inspired by those that are popular in Mexican culture. Artwork by Victor Meléndez.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Roswell, New Mexico during the 36th annual Piñata Festival.
History the stamp represents: Piñatas are a popular feature at birthday parties and other celebrations. The bright colors, fun shapes, and treats inside bring joy to everyone. In 2023, the USPS brought this joy to our mail with a set of four stamps picturing traditional Mexican piñatas.
The star and donkey are the most popular piñata shapes in Mexico. They were introduced in the 1500s when Spanish missionaries used piñatas to connect with the locals. Both cultures had similar traditions of breaking containers filled with treats. So, the missionaries created containers in these shapes to resemble aspects of the Nativity. The star represents the Star of Bethlehem (as well as the seven deadly sins) and the donkey is the burro Mary rode to the manger.
Early piñatas were clay pots decorated in colorful feathers and paper and filled with fruit and sugar cane. Over time, the pots were replaced with cardboard and papier-mâché. Most piñatas today are filled with candy, but can include toys, fruit, or anything else.
Since 2006, Mexico’s Museum of Folk Art has held an annual piñata contest celebrating their history and artistry. The museum also hosts piñata workshops and has piñatas as part of its permanent collections.
Interestingly, the world’s largest piñata was built in Philadelphia in 2022. It stood 61 feet tall, 60 feet long, 23 feet wide, and held 8,000 pounds of candy!
US #5812-15
2023 Piñatas
- Picture colorful piñatas representing a popular tradition in Mexican culture that has slowly spread to the United States and beyond
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 66¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: September 8, 2023
First Day City: Roswell, New Mexico
Quantity Issued: 150,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Double-sided Booklets of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored type III, block tagged
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the tradition of piñatas in Mexican culture.
About the stamp design: Each pictures a colorful digital illustration of traditional piñata designs – donkeys and seven-point stars. The colors were inspired by those that are popular in Mexican culture. Artwork by Victor Meléndez.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Roswell, New Mexico during the 36th annual Piñata Festival.
History the stamp represents: Piñatas are a popular feature at birthday parties and other celebrations. The bright colors, fun shapes, and treats inside bring joy to everyone. In 2023, the USPS brought this joy to our mail with a set of four stamps picturing traditional Mexican piñatas.
The star and donkey are the most popular piñata shapes in Mexico. They were introduced in the 1500s when Spanish missionaries used piñatas to connect with the locals. Both cultures had similar traditions of breaking containers filled with treats. So, the missionaries created containers in these shapes to resemble aspects of the Nativity. The star represents the Star of Bethlehem (as well as the seven deadly sins) and the donkey is the burro Mary rode to the manger.
Early piñatas were clay pots decorated in colorful feathers and paper and filled with fruit and sugar cane. Over time, the pots were replaced with cardboard and papier-mâché. Most piñatas today are filled with candy, but can include toys, fruit, or anything else.
Since 2006, Mexico’s Museum of Folk Art has held an annual piñata contest celebrating their history and artistry. The museum also hosts piñata workshops and has piñatas as part of its permanent collections.
Interestingly, the world’s largest piñata was built in Philadelphia in 2022. It stood 61 feet tall, 60 feet long, 23 feet wide, and held 8,000 pounds of candy!