# 4711b - 2012 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Holy Family

U.S. #4711b

2012 45¢ Holy Family Imperforate

Retelling the legend of the Three Wise Men who came to honor the baby Jesus is a Christmas tradition.  Less known is the story of the Holy Family’s escape into Egypt after the Magi departed.

Upon hearing a new Jewish king had been born, King Herod of Judea sent the men to find the baby and bring it to him.  But each of the wise men had a dream, one that warned them to avoid Herod and take a different route home.  Incensed, the king ordered the “slaughter of the innocents,” in which every male child under the age of two was to be killed to eliminate the threat posed by his supposed rival for the crown, Jesus.

An angel also appeared to Joseph that night, warning him to flee to safety in Egypt with his wife and infant son, Jesus.  Mary made the trip on a donkey with her baby in her arms and Joseph by her side, guided through the arid desert by a single star.  The Holy Family found sanctuary in Egypt, returning home only after the death of King Herod.

It is possible to experience a remnant of the Holy Family’s journey even now.  According to tradition, donkeys were mute until that evening.  Herod’s soldiers approached as the family rested, and the donkey was unable to wake Joseph.  It prayed for a loud voice to save the newborn king, and was granted the piercing bray donkeys are known for today.

Art director William Gicker, designer Greg Breeding, and artist Nancy Stahl worked together to create the artwork for this stamp, which pictures Joseph leading a donkey carrying Mary and baby Jesus under a shining star.

Value: 45¢ 1-ounce first-class letter rate

Issued: October 10, 2012

First Day City: Washington, D.C.

Type of Stamp: Commemorative

Printed By: Banknote Corporation of America, Sennett Security Products

Printing Method: Offset

Perforations: Imperforate

Self-Adhesive

The first U.S. Christmas stamp was issued in 1962.  Since then, there have been both religious and contemporary Christmas stamps issued each year.  Most of the religious issues have pictured a classical version of the Madonna and Child.  The U.S.P.S. decided to take a modern approach to the 2012 Holy Family stamp, inspired by the bible passage, “Out of Egypt I call my Son.”

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.

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.