Set of 5: 1992 Christmas Toys Series

Front:
29 29 .. NSAS ОСТ GREETI N G CITER EETINGS LO01000 NIA 22 1992 COLUMBIA 64108 САРТА Chis lalle MO R. 29 EΕ ΤΙNG S CITY ОСТ 22 1992 29 64108 GREETINGS Chis Calle MO KANSAS 29 29 ERE ETINGS OCT GREEΤΙNG 22 1992 64108 1877 MO KANSAS 29 29 CIAE ETIN G S GREEΤIN G/ 74 OCT 22 1992 64108 Toy. No. 203,775. Patented May 14, 1878. ChisCalle MO KANSAS GREETIN YORK, 29 PEGASUS YORK GREETINNS OCT 28 1992 10199 VUIGAN Chis lalle NY

Back:
CHRISTMAS First Day of Issue: October 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Kansas City, Missouri The exchange of Christmas gifts is a wonderful tradition of the holiday season. In many western countries, mytho- logical figures visit homes on moonlit nights during the yuletide season and leave presents for each slumbering inhabitant. In the United States, this figure is Santa Claus, a character originally based on a bishop of the early Christian church. Made bishop while a boy, the kindly Nicholas often strolled his village streets at night and left presents for children on their doorsteps. For many centu- ries, the anniversary of his death was celebrated through- out Europe on December 6 with feasting and merrymak- ing. Over the next several centuries, this figure appeared in many other incarnations: Europe's Christkindli or the Christ Child, England's Father Christmas and America's Santa Claus. Irrepressibly jolly and unfailingly punctual, Santa is indeed the man of the Christmas hour, for late each Christmas Eve he visits every home to bring its children the toys their hearts desire. No. 92-127 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Chris Calle Heelwood CHRISTMAS First Day of Issue: October 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Kansas City, Missouri Christmas is a time for traditions. Stuffed stockings are hung above warm fires and mistletoe dangles in strategic locations. No tradition, however, is more deeply en- trenched in the American psyche than the Christmas tree. Whether it be fir, spruce or ponderosa pine, the Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the celebration. The custom reportedly began in Germany during the 8th century. It spread through Europe and was introduced to America by German settlers during the American Revolution. In 1856, Franklin Pierce decorated a Christmas tree at the White House, and by World War I the tradition had spread throughout the United States. Community trees appeared at Madison Square Park in New York, on the commons in Boston and on Mt. Wilson in Pasadena. A mile-long vista of giant deodar cedars was decorated at Altadena, California in the 1920s and became known as “Christmas Tree Lane." Today the tradition continues. Homes throughout America are adorned with brightly-lit, elegantly-decorated trees each and every Christmas. No. 92-128 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Chris Calle Heetwood CHRISTMAS First Day of Issue: October 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Kansas City, Missouri Nothing quite compares to the aroma of a mother's kitchen on Christmas morning. The scents of roasting turkey, baking pies and plum pudding invigorate one's appetite. Feasting on special occasions is an age-old custom. After a successful hunt, primitive man gorged himself on meat ... and more meat. With the advent of agriculture, the harvest marked a time of plenty, and people ate heartily when the crops were in. Perhaps the most fabled meal in humankind's history was served in England on Christmas Day in 1770, at Sir Henry Grey's. It consisted of one pie measuring 9 feet in circumference and weighing twelve stone — 168 pounds. Inside, baked to perfection, were four geese, four wild ducks, two woodcocks, two turkeys, four partridges, seven black- birds, six pigeons, two rabbits, two cow's tongues, two bushels of flour, 20 pounds of butter and various other items. This meal spawned the English colloquialism: “The Devil himself dare not appear in Cornwall during Christ- mas for fear of being baked in a pie." No. 92-129 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Chris Calle Heetwood CHRISTMAS First Day of Issue: October 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Kansas City, Missouri Beribboned boxes and tantalizingly small bundles care- fully tucked beneath a fragrant evergreen are America's most beloved Christmas images. The custom of Christmas gift-giving is deeply entrenched in western civilization, with roots pre-dating the Christian era. Ancient Romans often exchanged gifts of food, candles or religious statu- ary to commemorate events such as emperors' birthdays or to mark significant holidays. When Christ was born, three Magi presented Him with precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. As the Christian faith spread throughout the world, gift-giving remained a joyous part of the Christmas season. During the Middle Ages, many people exchanged gifts from Christmas Eve through Epiphany on January 6, a practice memorialized in the timeless yuletide carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas." And although much has changed in the world since the advent of the modern era, the anticipatory thrill sparked by the sight of gaily-wrapped packages continues to be felt by children of all ages. No. 92-131 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Chris Calle Heetwood CHRISTMAS First Day of Issue: October 28, 1992 First Issue Location: New York, NY Each fall, Moms and Dads across America scout discount emporiums and toy stores in search of the perfect toy train set. Over the next several months, they work frantically to complete their project. A plywood base is carefully covered with material simulating the color and texture of grass. Rails are attached; crossing signs and station houses go up. If parents have been duly industrious, the set is ready for action on Christmas morning. First pro- duced in the late 1880s, toy trains were manufactured in large quantities over the next several decades by Ameri- can companies such as Lionel Corporation, Louis Marx and Company, American Flyer Manufacturing Company and Ives Corporation. As time passed, toy trains became more life-like, and many aficionados responded by cre- ating elaborate surroundings for their sets. A toy locomo- tive takes center stage on the self-adhesive postage stamp on this First Day of Issue Postcard. No. 92-132 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Chris Calle Heetwood