Issue date: 05 Nov, 2020
CHRISTMAS 2020.
75 YEARS OF NATIVITY SCENE MAKERS IN MADRID AND REGIONAL NATIVITY SCENES CANTABRIAN NATIVITY SCENE OF CUDÓN
Christmas is one of the most special times of the year. With the arrival of winter, the cold spells are intensified, the days shorter, and the whole sensation invites us to gather at home to rediscover old traditions. Every family has its own traditions when it comes to celebrating Christmas, though one thing is for sure: stamps dedicated to these holidays will be present in the homes of philatelists.
The two stamps issued by Correos this year are specifically related to the nativity scene. It was in 1955 when the first stamp dedicated to Christmas appeared ,featuring an image of the painting of “La Sagrada Familia” (The Holy Family) by el Greco. However, it was in 1959 when the Christmas series began being issued continually.
The first stamp is dedicated to 75 years of the Association of the Nativity Scene Makers of Madrid with the representation of a nativity scene staged by the Madrilenian artist José Mayo Lebrija to pay tribute to the association for their anniversary. The association was established in 1945 when a group of friends met to stage nativity scenes on the streets of and in establishments around Madrid to promote the tradition; today, the association has more than 600 members from different age groups. The association receives commissions to design and create nativity scenes both from administrations as well private individuals. The most renowned project is the nativity scene of the Real Casa de Correos (Royal Post Office building), in Puerta del Sol, housing the headquarters of the regional government. The association has been responsible for staging this nativity scene for 17 years, working practically all year round on designing these types of festive scenes, each with different themes chosen by the association themselves. The association has an establishment on Calle Gobernador, no. 11, where it holds an exhibition all year round with part of the thousand figures on display that is possesses, which are of classical style and valued between 10 and 300 euros.
The second stamp inaugurates a new series dedicated to the different nativity scenes across Spain. For the 2020 stamp, the nativity scenein Cudón has been chosen given it is one of the most unique nativity scenes in Spain. The author of this nativity scene, Ángel Bolado, has created almost a thousand figures, and his desire for authenticity has led him to equip three hundred of said figures with movement. Its realism and detail are reflected in the image chosen for the stamp. It features a group of men making the famous Orujo liquor from Liébana. The brandy from this region is the first of its type produced in our country, with origins dating back to the fourteenth century. The distinctive copper is still used to heat the grape skins in a process that can take up to 12 hours.
Both stamps pay tribute to a pastime that requires patience, dedication, an eye for detail and the creation of a small, unique universe year after year. This hobby has many similarities to that of stamp collecting, which requires these same skills that enable every philatelist to create their own world, made up of the things they like, their hobbies, and special moments... In 2021, we hope to continue collecting and sharing unique moments that feature in our stamps.
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.