This Official First Day Cover features the 1976 U.S. Christmas 13¢ stamp postmarked in Boston, Massachusetts on October 27, 1976. The cachet reproduces a classic Currier & Ives winter scene titled "Christmas With Carrier & Ives," highlighting the stamp's source artwork.
The stamp itself is a faithful reproduction of Nathaniel Currier's 1855 lithograph "Winter Pastime," capturing 19th-century Americans enjoying outdoor ice skating and winter recreation. Currier & Ives prints were immensely popular in their era, offering affordable color images of everyday American life to a growing middle class.
A notable detail is the direct pairing of the stamp with matching Currier & Ives artwork on the cachet, creating a cohesive philatelic tribute to this iconic American printmaker. The cover is marked as an Official First Day Cover, indicating its status in the series.
This cover makes an excellent addition to any Christmas topical or Currier & Ives collection, with crisp postmarking and attractive period artwork that displays beautifully.
