O1601s

Christmas Religious

Madonna & Child by Caracci

Fred Collins Signature

Winter 2025 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 17 01601 — Christmas Religious stamp with Praying Child cachet — 10-19-89

The hand painted cachet on this first day cover is precious. A young girl kneels by her bed to say her evening prayers. A colorful quilt covers her bed, and curled up on it is a pet kitten. Colorful toys are scattered on the floor, a miniature Christmas tree adorns a side table, and a cheerful candle casts a warm glow on this Christmas scene. One of my daughters accompanied me on this trip, and after picking up the stamps we flew to Pennsylvania where we rented a car and drove to the Bethlehem Post Office — after licking and sticking the stamps onto the envelopes during our flight. The cancel we selected for the covers is a star and gigantic bullseye that reads "Christmas City Station, Bethlehem, PA." It's a very sweet cover with lots of hand painted details and fond memories of the day.