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.  This 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 3 new designs (1996, 2004 and 2009).  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 creates a lack of supply.

                                                                                       February 17, 2010