Bartolomeo Vivarini's masterpiece painting "Madonna and Child" will be featured on this year's U.S. 33-cent traditional holiday Christmas stamp.
Painted during the 15th century, Vivarini's work portrays a softer image of the Madonna and Child that is uncharacteristic of his usual austere style, says the U.S. Postal Service.The new Christmas stamp depicts the Madonna and Child with the word "Christmas" in capital letters across the top. At the bottom are B. Vivarini and National Gallery of Arts. It is at the latter site in Washington, D.C., that the classic painting is housed.
The new Christmas stamp will be available in the first holiday self-adhesive booklet ever printed with stamps on both sides. There are eight stamps on one side and 12 on the other.
First-day of issue postmarks are available by mail. You may purchase the new stamps at your local post office, affix the stamps to your envelopes, address the envelopes and place in a larger one addressed to: Madonna and Child Holiday Stamp, Postmaster, 900 Brentwood Road, NE, Washington, D.C. 20066-9991. All orders must be postmarked by Nov. 19.
The U.S. Postal Service Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers of the Christmas stamp with the official first-day of issue cancellation. You may phone (800) STAMP-24.