# 2874 - 1994 29c Contemporary Christmas: Cardinal in Snow

U.S. #2874
1994 29¢ Cardinal
Contemporary Christmas 

• First ATM Christmas stamp with an original design
• 32nd Contemporary Christmas issue

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Set:  Contemporary Christmas
Value:  29¢, rate for first-class mail
First Day of Issue:  October 20, 1994
First Day City:  Harmony, Minnesota
Quantity Issued:  45,000,000
Printed by:  Avery Dennison
Printing Method:  Photogravure
Format:  Booklet panes of 18 in sheets of 270
Perforations:  Die Cut

Why the stamp was issued:  For use on holiday mail.  It was also created specifically to answer the request of Wells, Fargo Bank, which sold stamps in their ATMs.  They asked for a stamp without Christmas imagery, so it could be used throughout the winter season.  Postal officials obliged the request, utilizing a cardinal design that had previously been approved. 

Beginning in 1992, the USPS offered self-adhesive Christmas stamps in vending machines.  In 1992 and 1993, these ATM stamps used the same designs as other Christmas stamps issued at the same time.  Initially, the 1994 ATM stamp was going to use the same Santa image as #2873. 

Interestingly, the cardinal stamp was only usable on its own for a week after Christmas.  On January 1, the first-class rate changed to 32¢, requiring the an additional 3¢ in postage.

About the stamp design:  Graphic designer Peter Good provided the artwork for this stamp.  He had previously produced the art on the Love Sunrise stamp, which was issued earlier in 1994.  After designing that stamp, the USPS asked him to create a Christmas design.  Good’s resulting cut paper image of a toy soldier with white dots resembling snow was accepted, and he was asked to provide four more designs.  His images of snowman, a reindeer, and jack-in-the-box were used along with the toy soldier in 1993, while his cardinal image was approved, and shelved for later use.  Good initially designed the stamp for the larger special-stamp dimensions used for Christmas and Love issues.  But when the design was selected for the ATM booklet, it had to be modified and shrunk to fit the format.

First Day City:  Harmony, Minnesota – The Christmas Philatelic Club (CPC) was celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 1994 and planned a large celebration.  They launched an extensive campaign to get that year’s Christmas stamps issued in Harmony, where the CPC was founded.  The USPS ultimately obliged, issuing three of that year’s Christmas stamps in Harmony.

About the Christmas Series:  By the early 1960s, the US Post Office was receiving 1,000 letters a year (for several years) asking for a Christmas-themed stamp to frank their holiday mail.  The idea was approved and the US issued its first Christmas stamp on November 1, 1962.

The stamp was wildly popular, featuring popular holiday decorations of a wreath and candles.  The Post Office Department had expected there would be a great demand for the issue, so they printed 350 million stamps – the largest print run for a special stamp up to that time.  Those 350 million stamps sold out quickly, leading the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to produce more stamps – reaching over 860 million by the end of the year.

While the Christmas stamp was very popular, it wasn’t without its detractors.  Some didn’t agree with the idea of the post office issuing a stamp honoring a religious holiday.  Others wanted Christmas stamps that were more religious.  The Post Office would continue to issue Christmas stamps in the coming years that featured the National Christmas Tree, seasonal plants, and an angel in 1965. The angel was considered less controversial because angels are included in many religions, not just Christianity.

In 1966, the Post Office came up with a plan to produce Christmas stamps utilizing classic paintings of the Madonna and Child.  These stamps wouldn’t violate the separation of church and state because they were a celebration of culture.  On November 1, 1966, they issued the first US Madonna and Child stamp in Christmas, Michigan.  The stamp featured the 15^th century painting, Madonna and Child with Angels, by Flemish painter Hans Memling.

That stamp was very popular and over 1.1 billion were printed.  The same design was used again the following year, however, the 1967 stamp was larger and showed more of the painting.  The stamp’s continued popularity led the Post Office to issue another traditional Christmas stamp in 1968, this time picturing the Angel Gabriel.   For the 1969 issue, they reverted back to the non-religious theme, with a stamp picturing a painting called Winter Sunday in Norway, Maine.

The Post Office made a big change in 1970.  To keep people in both camps happy, they issued one traditional Christmas stamp, picturing a classic painting of the Nativity, plus a block of four picturing Christmas toys.  That decision proved popular and they have continued to issue stamps with both traditional and contemporary Christmas themes ever since.

History the stamp represents:  Pictured on more US stamps than any other bird, the cardinal could easily be called the "George Washington of Birds." Found throughout the United States, it is a favorite with bird lovers year-round. Its handsome, bright-red plumage makes it an ideal stamp subject.

The northern cardinal is a bright red songbird that is a favorite among all birders.  The male cardinal has the customary red feathers and black mask, while the female is a dull reddish-olive with a gray mask.  Both sexes have crests on top of their heads that can be raised when agitated or trying to attract a mate. The bird was named after the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, who have historically worn vivid scarlet robes and caps.

During mating season, male northern cardinals sway side to side and sing softly to call in a female.  If his efforts are rewarded by the appearance of a female, the male begins to feed her in order to bond and show his worthiness.  Once the two mate, they then pair together for life.

The male and female cardinal look for possible nest locations as a team.  Once an acceptable site is located, the female is the primary nest builder, though the male helps by bringing her materials.  Male cardinals are extremely attentive mates and will feed the female throughout the entire incubation of her eggs.  Males are also in charge of caring for the brood of young birds while the female incubates the next generation of eggs.  The male cardinal's main task is to provide for and defend his young.  He also teaches his children the unique songs passed down through generations of cardinals.

Northern cardinals are beautiful birds enjoyed by both birders and non-birders alike.  They're distinctive songs and admirable devotion to their mates make them fun to watch throughout the dull winter.

There are 19 subspecies of cardinal, but the most well-known is the northern cardinal.  Interestingly, the defining red color of male birds is dependent on their consumption of pigments in their food.  Some birds that eat only yellow pigments are a much paler red color, while those that eat both red and yellow have the reddest feathers.  However, a few rare birds have been found to lack the enzyme needed to create red feather pigment.  These birds have yellow feathers and beaks.

During the winter months in the northern United States, many birds fly south for the season.  However, northern cardinals stick around.  They survive the cold weather by fluffing their feathers and trapping heat against their bodies.  To help them out during these tough months, many bird enthusiasts hang black oil sunflower seed feeders – a favorite food of cardinals.