Issue date: 08 Oct, 2018
CHRISTMAS. THE ATENEO DE SEVILLA’S EPIPHANY PARADE. GIFT PACKAGE.
The classic or religious Christmas stamp issue this year depicts the Three Kings, in the Ateneo de Sevilla’s Epiphany Parade, marking its centenary in 2018.
A century has passed since the Parade first made its way through the streets of Seville on 5 January 1918. A group of Ateneo members first had the idea to spread good cheer among the children and adults of Seville. Over the years, the Parade became more elaborate and more significant to the city than they could ever have imagined.
The stamp shows an illustration of the Three Kings, provided by the Ateneo de Sevilla, alongside famous Seville landmarks such as the Torre del Oro.
The second Christmas stamp issued by Correos shows a typical holiday gift package, which can also be added to the Christmas-tree-shaped Christmas Collectible Card which was launched in 2016 and concludes with this stamp.
The stamp has an internal die-cut to allow the silhouette of the tree decoration to be detached and hung on the Christmas tree on the card, although it can also be left intact as a standard stamp.
The pagan festivals that used to be celebrated around this time of year often included an exchange of giftssymbolising good luck for the next harvest.
Whatever the origins of the custom may be, we know that by the 10th century most Western societies celebratedChristmas with gifts.
These days, gift-giving is a universal custom andrepresents a moment of togetherness with our loved ones.
Correos hopes to contribute to the holiday cheer as we all enjoy the season’s traditions, like the Epiphany Parade and the exchange of gifts.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.