Set of 4: 1991 Christmas Santa Claus Series

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SANTA O991 USA CHRISTMAS OCT 17 1991 83866 TO S.CLAUS SANTA 1991 USA CHRISTMAS OCT 17 1991 83866 SANT OCT 17 1991 83869 1991 USA CHRISTMAS 828 1091 USA 00T 1991 8386 1991 USA CHRISTMAS

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SANTA'S TREASURES First Day of Issue: October 17, 1991 First Issue Location: Santa, Idaho Each year at Christmastime, people scurry from small shops to department stores, seeking the perfect Christmas gifts for their loved ones. In ancient Biblical history, the three magi presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newly-born Christ Child in celebration of His birth, and thus laid the foundation for one of Christmas' most delightful traditions. By the 12th century gift-giving was a common practice, especially among the royalty and nobles. Under the onus of feudalism, most lords presented their retinues and vassals with gifts of money. But their own gift exchanges were often lavish, ostentatious and exotic — such as the elephant which the King of France gave England's Henry III in 1236. Today Santa Claus is the holiday's ultimate gift-giver. Operating from a list of requests compiled during the year, Santa stuffs each stocking with loving care and piles mounds of packages under the tree. Capturing all the warmth and charm of the holiday season, the stamp and artwork on this Maximum Card salute the spirit of Santa which lurks in us all. No. 91-92 ©1991 The Maximum Card Collection A division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 ® Original painting for the Maximum Card by Ed Little SANTA'S EXIT First Day of Issue: October 17, 1991 First Issue Location: Santa, Idaho Everyone knows that the droll, chubby elf known as Santa Claus likes to enter and exit houses vía the chimney. Americans have accepted this unusual habit as a matter of fact for nearly two centuries. If Santa can deliver presents to houses all over the world during the course of one night, they reason, then sliding his ample personage down a narrow chimney must be relatively easy. While Santa Claus as a character is Yankee to the core, his peculiar mode of entry has Scandinavian roots which evolved from an old Norse legend. Folklore maintained that the goddess Hertha's appearance in the fireplace brought the home and its occupants good luck. Across the Atlantic in the United States, the legend replaced Hertha with Santa Claus, whose yearly dispensation of bounty is for many believers the ultimate indication of good for- tune. Issued in booklet form and featuring Santa Claus preparing to bound up the chimney, this stamp is accom- panied by charming artwork which celebrates America's most beloved mythological character — Santa Claus. No. 91-93 ©1991 The Maximum Card Collection A division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 ® Original painting for the Maximum Card by Ed Little SANTA AND HIS REINDEER First Day of Issue: October 17, 1991 First Issue Location: Santa, Idaho In the early 1800s, America's traditional Christmastime gift-giver was St. Nicholas, called Sinterklaas by early Dutch settlers. To America's English-speaking children, Sinterklaas became Santa Claus. And as his name changed, Santa's image changed as well. In his Knickerbocker's History of New York, published in 1809, author Washington Irving drew a decidely different visual picture of Santa Claus, portraying a jolly fellow who closely resembled New York's Dutch settlers, wore baggy breeches and rode a wagon through the night sky. Clement C. Moore penned his classic Christmas tale in 1822, and in his story Santa's appearance had altered considerably. Clad in a red suit bound with white fur, this chubby Santa slid down chimneys to deliver his toys and drove a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer with wonderful names: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Issued with four other stamps in a unique five- pane booklet, this stamp is accompanied by cheery art- work which salutes Santa and his faithful reindeer. No. 91-94 ©1991 The Maximum Card Collection A division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 ® Original painting for the Maximum Card by Ed Little SANTA'S ARRIVAL First Day of Issue: October 17, 1991 First Issue Location: Santa, Idaho In 1822 Clement C. Moore wrote a charming Yuletide story especially for his children. Originally titled "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," the entrancing story came to be called “The Night Before Christmas." In poetic style, the saga humorously chronicled Moore's fictional encounter with Santa Claus and gave many readers their first portrait of the “jolly old elf." The mythology surrounding this fabled fellow centers on Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra in ancient Lycia. Only a child when elected bishop, Nicho- las was a kindly soul who under cover of night took gifts to the needy. Many Europeans celebrated his feast day with the exchange of gifts. During the 17th century, Dutch settlers brought the custom to the New World and called the old bishop Sinterklass. To the English-speaking chil- dren, Sinterklaas became Santa Claus, and eventually the saint evolved into a round fellow with rosy cheeks and a white mane of flowing hair. Issued in both sheet and booklet form, the stamps on this Maximum Card feature the jolly old elf, Santa. No. 91-90 ©1991 The Maximum Card Collection A division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 ® Original painting for the Maximum Card by Ed Little