1987 Christmas – Moroni, National Gallery First Day Cover

This serene First Day Cover is part of the 1987 Christmas issue, featuring a detail from the famous painting "The Angel Moroni" by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Moroni (c. 1520–1579), held in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC—a work depicting the angel with a serene expression and halo, often associated with holiday themes of peace and divine announcement. The 22¢ stamp shows the Madonna and Child with a peaceful, glowing Madonna cradling the infant Jesus against a dark background, while a companion stamp features a colorful Christmas ornament on evergreen branches. The cachet artwork captures a joyful holiday scene: a group of carolers—men and women in period winter clothing—singing from hymnals under a warm, fiery sky with golden light, their faces uplifted in song, rendered in rich oils with vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows to evoke the lively spirit of past and present yuletide traditions. Postmarked October 23, 1987 (issue date), in Holiday, California—with a clear "First Day of Issue" cancellation (ZIP 92802)—this cover is ideal for Christmas philately collectors, art history enthusiasts (particularly Renaissance religious paintings), or those who appreciate seasonal and inspirational themes. It remains in excellent unaddressed vintage condition with warm, glowing colors, sharp detail, and no wear, perfect for holiday displays or religious art collections.