This Artmaster first day cover features the 1977 U.S. Christmas 13¢ stamp, postmarked on its official first day of issue, October 21, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. The cachet displays an ornate green illustration of Santa Claus framed by a decorative “C” and the word “Christmas 1977,” with a small “Peace” shield at the bottom.
Christmas stamps have been a beloved U.S. Postal Service tradition since 1962. The 1977 issue continued the annual holiday series during a period when the Postal Service was actively promoting seasonal mail with colorful, thematic designs that appealed to both collectors and the general public.
A notable detail is the Artmaster cachet’s classic 1970s style, combining intricate scrollwork with a bold typographic treatment of “Christmas 1977.” The actual stamp depicts a bright red mailbox overflowing with wrapped gifts, reinforcing the theme of holiday mail delivery.
The cover is addressed to a recipient in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, a small historic borough in York County founded in the 18th century and known for its rural charm and community events.
A clean, well-centered example with a crisp Omaha postmark, this cover makes an attractive addition for collectors of Christmas topicals, Artmaster cachets, or modern U.S. first day covers.
