BACKGROUND

In 1962 the United States Postal Service issued Its first Christmas stamp and has been issuing a new and different Christmas stamp almost every year since then.  Beginning in 1965 and every year (with a few exceptions) since,  the USPS has issued a Christmas stamp with a religious theme (predominately the "Madonna & Child").

I began my "Quest for Annual Hanukkah Stamps" in January 1993.  After years of refusing to issue a Hanukkah stamp, citing specific religious reference as the reason (while claiming the "Madonna & Child" stamps were merely art masterpiece reproductions), the United States Postal Service issued its first Hanukkah stamp in 1996.  After, in November of 1994, the USPS announced it would discontinue the "Madonna & Child" Christmas stamp "because of its specific religious theme."  And, within a week "Bowing to public pressure" reversed that decision and have included a "Madonna & Child" Christmas stamp every year since then.  Meanwhile they have given so many questionable reasons for not issuing a new Hanukkah stamp every year.

Although a U.S. Hanukkah stamp has been "available" every year since 1996, there have only been four new designs (1996, 2004, 2009 and 2011).  The years in between have been either reissued or revalued versions.  The latest reason the USPS is giving for not issuing a new Hanukkah stamp every year is "Lack of demand."  However, in 2009, they also print a small quantity of the Hanukkah stamp and distributed a minimal amount of them which actually created a lack of supply.  In 2010 the USPS just sold leftovers of 2009 Hanukkah stamp in anticipation of a rate increase early in 2011.  Although the rate increase has not occurred, the USPS will issue a new Hanukkah stamp in 2011 (see "THIS YEAR").  As a "FOREVER stamp (no rate on it), the 2011 Hanukkah stamp, the USPS can reuse this design indefinitely even if there is a rate change.

                                                                                       December 20, 2011