A Jolly Ol’ Christmas Stamp

December 21, 2013 on 8:35 pm by Michael Grey | In Delightful Data of the Day, Random Thoughts | 4 Comments

Ha! You might have read the heading of this post and thought of a super-festive polka step, à la Ebeneezer Scrooge at the height of redemption; maybe stompy snow-removal attempts at the entrance to an anticipated Christmas shin-dig, one where you enter the room with snow-covered shoes and hope-to-hell you’re not asked to unveil your stinking socks (and the feet they conceal). No. This post is philatelic, that word you use never and the the kind of stamp you, um, lick (or did, back in the day).

Offered here: what is generally believed to be the world’s first “Christmas” postage stamp. I know you’ve waited your lifetime to know this juicy fact and for that I’m at your service. Here it is – the world’s first Christmas postage stamp:

1898: Canada offers the world's first "Christmas Stamp"

A joyous Christmas along with nationalistic cartography: goes together like salt and pepper, horse and carriage, pipe and drum – who knew? Christmas and cartography: inexplicably connected – or so it seems.

M.

4 Comments

  1. What caught me by surprise is the use of the abbreviation “Xmas.” I wonder when that was first used? I would have guessed 1940s had I been asked in a quiz show.

    Comment by iainmacd — December 22, 2013 #

  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas

    And, I would’ve been way off. First known use dates back to the 16th century. My day is now complete.

    Comment by iainmacd — December 22, 2013 #

  3. I bet at 2 cents that stamp was relatively a lot more expensive than those of today. Merry Christmas my friends. C

    Comment by colinmaclellan — December 22, 2013 #

  4. I’m glad you had a complete day, Iain. Merry Xmas to all – and you could buy a newspaper for 2 cents in 1898. M

    Comment by Michael Grey — December 23, 2013 #

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