P2301

Christmas Religious

Madonna and Child, by Elisabetta Sirani

Collins Cover Announcement 

Traditional Christmas Stamp

"Virgin and Child" by Elisabetta Sirani

A three Wise Men cachet makes this a traditional COLLINS Christmas First Day Cover. Surrounded by camels in the evening desert, the Wise Men in bright, flowing robes come bearing gifts. The night sky has a soft aurora of multi-colors that could only be achieved by the hand-painting process. Except for the colorful clothes of the Wise Men, this is a relatively subdued cachet, but it has a nice, dignified quality about it.

This is the first traditional Christmas stamp to feature the work of a woman artist. Elisabetta Sirani, whose painting "Virgin and Child" is reproduced on the stamp, lived and worked in Bologna, Italy. She was born in 1638 and died in 1665. Elisabetta was one of the foremost painters of her day and taught other women artists. Many visitors were attracd-ed to watch her at work. The stamp is postmarked at Washington, D.C.

Truly a traditional Christmas cover in all regards. Item #P2301. $10.75.