Front:
SHINGTON
OCT
CHRISTMAS
22
24
1986
20066Perugino, National Gallery
DC
WASHIN
HILL,
22
OCT
24
1986
21863 GREETINGS
MONS
Back:
Old-Fashioned Christmas Mornings
First Day of Issue: October 24, 1986
First Issue Location: Washingtion, D.C.
American families have been gathering together to celeb-
rate the holidays, exchange gifts, and recall past Christ-
mases for more than two hundred years. Thus, the sights
and sounds of Christmas mornings are forever cherished:
the jangle of a sleigh in the cold morning air ... the
soft thud of a horse's hooves on champagne-white
snow ... the tolling church bell calling the faithful to
Christmas services. For many families, attending church
services is a focal point of their Christmas. Their sincere
and joyful celebration recalling the birth of Jesus high-
lights the Christmas season. Indeed, for nearly two
thousand years artists, authors, and composers have
found inspiration in the Savior's Birth. One such artist
was Pietro Do Cristoforo Di Vannucci, more popularly
known as Il Perugino— the Perugian. Renowned for his
religious masterpieces, his painting of the Madonna and
Child, which hangs in the National Gallery in
Washington, D. C., is reproduced on the 1986 Christmas
Traditional stamp featured on this Maximum Card.
No. 86-78
©1986 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Tom McNeely.
Christmas Merriment
First Day of Issue: October 24, 1986
First Issue Location: Snow Hill, Maryland
Beyond doubt, Christmas inspires the merriest celebra-
tions and most extravagant decorations of any season.
And, by far the most important decoration of all is the
family Christmas tree. The Christmas tree stands at the
center of attention, transforming the room with its splen-
did size and fragrance. Few family decisions receive so
much consideration and debate as the choice of a Christ-
mas tree. All the ceremonies and traditions surrounding
it — the family shopping together for one that's just the
right size and fullness, the trimming of the branches with
cherished ornaments passed down from generation to
generation, topping the tree with the traditional star or
angel, and placing presents beneath it - unite the family
in the spirit of the season. Then, the holiday festivities
begin. The shout of “Merry Christmas!" rings though the
season; families and friends gather together; carols are
sung; gifts are given and received by young and old
alike, and the wish for “peace on earth and good will
to men” comes merrily to life.
No. 86-79
1986 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Tom McNeely.
