Special stamp
Encyclopedia
A special stamp is a type of postage stamp
typically intended for use on special occasions and holidays that occur repeatedly. Christmas stamp
s, with a seasonal design, and used in vast numbers to mail Christmas card
s, are the most familiar, but in recent years a number of other types have appeared.
The characteristics separating special stamps from definitive stamp
s and commemorative stamp
s are not precise; like definitives, they are "working stamps" printed in large quantities and mostly used on mails, but they also commemorate specific occasions and typically have a more elaborate and attractive design
. Unlike commemoratives, they are issued some weeks in advance of the occasion being marked, so that they are available during the season of interest.
In addition to Christmas, many other holidays have been marked by special stamps; Japan
has long issued New Year's Day stamps for postcards, and other nations have followed suit. Many nations also issue stamps for their independence day, United Nations Day
, and other official national holidays, although these tend to have the character of commemoratives; the populace does not usually send special cards or letters to mark these days.
Love stamps are designed around a love
theme. In the United States
, they were first issued in 1973. Generally timed to appear before Valentine's Day
, they are also used on wedding invitation
s throughout the year.
The United Kingdom
and United States
have issued various greeting card
stamps with slogans replicating standard greeting card topics, such as "Happy Birthday!" and "Get Well!". These seem not be have been especially successful, and are not often seen on mail.
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
typically intended for use on special occasions and holidays that occur repeatedly. Christmas stamp
Christmas stamp
Many nations of the world issue Christmas stamps, postage stamps with a Christmas theme and intended for use on seasonal mail such as Christmas cards. These stamps are regular postage stamps, unlike Christmas seals, and are usually valid for postage year-round...
s, with a seasonal design, and used in vast numbers to mail Christmas card
Christmas card
A Christmas card is a greeting card sent as part of the traditional celebration of Christmas in order to convey between people a range of sentiments related to the Christmas and holiday season. Christmas cards are usually exchanged during the weeks preceding Christmas Day by many people in Western...
s, are the most familiar, but in recent years a number of other types have appeared.
The characteristics separating special stamps from definitive stamp
Definitive stamp
A definitive stamp is a postage stamp, that is part of a regular issue of a country's stamps available for sale by the postal service for an extended period of time...
s and commemorative stamp
Commemorative stamp
A commemorative stamp is a postage stamp, often issued on a significant date such as an anniversary, to honor or commemorate a place, event or person. The subject of the commemorative stamp is usually spelled out in print, unlike definitive stamps which normally depict the subject along with the...
s are not precise; like definitives, they are "working stamps" printed in large quantities and mostly used on mails, but they also commemorate specific occasions and typically have a more elaborate and attractive design
Postage stamp design
Postage stamp design is the activity of graphic design as applied to postage stamps. Many thousands of designs have been created since a profile bust of Queen Victoria was adopted for the Penny Black in 1840; some considered very successful, othersless so....
. Unlike commemoratives, they are issued some weeks in advance of the occasion being marked, so that they are available during the season of interest.
In addition to Christmas, many other holidays have been marked by special stamps; Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
has long issued New Year's Day stamps for postcards, and other nations have followed suit. Many nations also issue stamps for their independence day, United Nations Day
United Nations Day
In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly declared 24 October, the anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations, as which "shall be devoted to making known to the peoples of the world the aims and achievements of the United Nations and to gaining their support for" its work.In 1971 the...
, and other official national holidays, although these tend to have the character of commemoratives; the populace does not usually send special cards or letters to mark these days.
Love stamps are designed around a love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
theme. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, they were first issued in 1973. Generally timed to appear before Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
, they are also used on wedding invitation
Wedding invitation
A wedding invitation is a letter asking the recipient to attend a wedding. It is typically written in formal, third-person language and mailed five to eight weeks before the wedding date....
s throughout the year.
The United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
have issued various greeting card
Greeting card
A greeting card is an illustrated, folded card featuring an expression of friendship or other sentiment. Although greeting cards are usually given on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas or other holidays, they are also sent to convey thanks or express other feeling. Greeting cards,...
stamps with slogans replicating standard greeting card topics, such as "Happy Birthday!" and "Get Well!". These seem not be have been especially successful, and are not often seen on mail.