1971 CHRISTMAS ISSUES -- STAINED GLASS

J-43 November 10, 1971 two designs were chosen for this Christmas issue: a Partridge in a Pear Tree and a detail depicting the Nativity scene from Giorgione's "Adoration of Shepherds". A stained glass window is represented in the painting. The numis is a Dottie Dow elongated cent. A matching pair of mint stamps is mounted in the reverse of the cover. 30 produced

J-43a November 10, 1971 Christmas issues featuring the "Partridge in a Pear tree" from a painting by Jamie Wyath. The representative stained glass window is based on the Christmas Poinsettia. An elongated commemorative cent is the numis. A matching mint stamp is mounted in the reverse of the cover. 30 Produced

J-43b November 10, 1971 Christmas issue featuring a detail from Giorgione's "Adoration of the Shepherds". The stained glass window design is based on the Jerusalem, (or Crusader's) Cross. An elongated cent is the numis. A matching mint stamp is mounted in the reverse of the cover.
30 Produced

1970 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

J-014 through J-018:  On November 5, 1970 five Christmas stamps were released. Originally there were to be only the block of four antique toys, but then it was decided to add a fifth - a reproduction of "The Nativity" by Lorenzo Lotto. These stamps were scheduled to be the first printed on the new $500,000 intaglio-gravure custom design press. But floods and labor strikes in Italy delayed arrival and installation. Consequently, a gravure press was leased, and the issue released on schedule.