Contemporary Christmas "Christmas Wreath and Candles" Stamps (Wreath, Candles, Red Bow, Holidays, Red, Green) Unused USPS Postage 4c

Add nostalgic flair to your holiday letters with these vintage unused Contemporary Christmas "Christmas Wreath and Candles" postage stamps! This nostalgic holiday design is perfect for adding a touch of class to your holiday cards and letters or winter save-the-dates and weddings. In pristine mint condition and valid for current postage use, each stamp holds a face value of 4-cents. These USPS postage stamps are suitable for current mailing when used with the total required postage based on the weight of your correspondence. Embrace the charm of winter with this enchanting postage stamp!

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Name: Christmas Wreath and Candles
• Series: Contemporary Christmas 
• Year Issued: 1962
• Face Value: 4-cents (USD) per stamp
• Topic(s): Wreath, Candles, Red Bow, Holidays, First U.S. Christmas Stamp
• Color(s): Red, Green
• Printing Method: Giori Press
• Scott Number: 1205
• Adhesion Type: Gummed
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: The 1962 4¢ “Christmas Wreath and Candles” postage stamp holds a landmark place in American postal history as the first U.S. Christmas stamp ever issued. Released on November 1, 1962, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this modest yet historic design marked the beginning of what would become one of the Postal Service’s most beloved traditions—an annual series of Christmas stamps celebrating the spirit, imagery, and meaning of the holiday season.

This stamp was designed by Jim Crawford of the U.S. Post Office Department, with artwork based on a wreath of evergreen branches surrounding two lighted red candles—a simple, serene image that conveyed warmth, peace, and goodwill without overt religious symbolism. The design’s restraint and balance reflected a conscious effort to honor the season in a nonsectarian, inclusive way, allowing Americans of many faith traditions to share in the celebration.

The decision to issue a Christmas stamp had been debated for years within the Post Office Department. Some officials worried about mixing religious themes with government functions, while others argued that such stamps were cultural rather than sectarian. Ultimately, Postmaster General J. Edward Day approved the idea, noting that many other nations—including Canada, Great Britain, and several European countries—had long issued Christmas-themed stamps. The goal was to reflect the shared spirit of goodwill, peace, and community associated with the holiday season.

The response from the public was overwhelmingly positive. Americans embraced the "Wreath and Candles" stamp not only as festive adornment for their holiday cards but also as a meaningful token of the season’s warmth and connection. Its success ensured that Christmas stamps would become an annual tradition, with future designs alternating between religious imagery and contemporary or secular scenes.

Today, the “Christmas Wreath and Candles” stamp stands as a milestone in U.S. philately and cultural history. It represents more than just the start of a new postal tradition—it marks the moment when the U.S. Post Office formally acknowledged the deep emotional and communal meaning of Christmas. With its gentle glow and simple beauty, the stamp embodies the spirit of peace, hope, and unity that has defined the holiday season ever since.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: This “Christmas Wreath and Candles” stamp radiates the quiet essence of hope, peace, and divine light—the eternal symbols of the Christmas season distilled into a single, humble image. As the first U.S. Christmas stamp ever issued, it not only inaugurated a beloved national tradition but also captured, in miniature form, the spiritual heart of the holiday: light shining in darkness, warmth enduring through winter, and the evergreen promise of life that never fades.

The wreath itself carries deep spiritual resonance. Formed in a perfect circle with no beginning or end, it symbolizes eternity, unity, and the unbroken cycle of life—a reflection of the divine nature of creation and the eternal love of God. Crafted from evergreen boughs, it signifies everlasting life and renewal amid dormancy, a reminder that life persists even in the stillness of winter. The wreath’s circular embrace also suggests the wholeness of community, inviting connection, inclusion, and peace among all people.

At the side of the wreat, the two candles burn steadily, their twin flames representing both light and spirit. In Christian symbolism, candlelight is the manifestation of Christ as the “Light of the World”—a beacon of guidance and redemption. More broadly, the candle flame symbolizes faith, enlightenment, and the divine presence within the human heart. The soft glow of these candles in the midst of green boughs evokes the human longing for warmth, understanding, and peace in times of darkness.

Together, the wreath and candles form a gentle visual prayer: that the light within us may endure, that the circle of love around us may remain unbroken, and that even in the coldest season, the warmth of spirit continues to illuminate the way forward. In this way, the "Christmas Wreath and Candles" stamp transcends its practical purpose. It became a small act of devotion—a symbol carried across miles on envelopes and cards, binding families, friends, and strangers in a shared recognition of peace and light. Spiritually, it stands as a reminder that holiness can dwell in the simplest of things: a candle’s glow, an evergreen circle, or even a postage stamp bearing the message that light, love, and life are eternal.

GUMMED STAMPS: These postage stamps have a traditional moisture-activated gum on the back. These stamps require licking or wetting to adhere to envelopes or other surfaces. To ensure good adhesion, apply vintage gummed stamps to your mailings with a glue stick (we recommend using Elmer's "Re-Stick" glue sticks).

GENUINE USPS POSTAGE: These unused vintage postage stamps are perfectly valid for use as current postage for mailing with USPS as long as you use the adequate amount of postage to achieve standard postage rates according to the weight of your mailing. Check current postage rates at USPS.com.

QUESTIONS? We love hearing from our customers and replies to inquires are usually answered the same day. Need more of this stamp? Looking for a particular stamp not found on our website? Want a curated postage set for your special event? Contact us with questions about vintage postage stamps and our services…

TELL YOUR STORY IN STAMPS: We’ve worked with hundreds of couples and their stationers to custom design highly stylized personalized postage sets based on our customer’s life stories. We can help you curate personalized vintage postage sets to commemorate your save-the-date, wedding, shower, announcement, and other special occasions in a truly unique fashion. Drawing on our encyclopedic knowledge of every stamp ever issued by the USPS, and sourcing from our extensive inventory of collectable unused vintage stamps, we’ll help you tell your unique story in stamps!

ABOUT HERITAGE POST HOUSE: Jennifer Kramer is the founder of Heritage Post House, a boutique vintage postage house located in Northern California. Jennifer sources the most beautiful unused vintage postage stamps ever issued by USPS and artfully arranges them into curated postage sets that are sure to add a special touch to your invitations, announcements, and special mailings. In addition to creating pre-arranged postage sets, Jennifer also works with couples (and their stationers) to create one-of-a-kind custom postage arrangements for wedding invitations, save the dates, and other special occasions.

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