This is an official Art Craft first day cover for the 1975 U.S. Christmas stamp reproducing Domenico Ghirlandaio’s “Madonna and Child” from the National Gallery of Art. The 10¢ stamp is tied by a crisp October 14, 1975 Washington, DC first-day cancel.
The issue continued the Postal Service’s long-running tradition of releasing a new Christmas stamp each year for the holiday mail surge. Ghirlandaio’s late-15th-century panel, with its rich Renaissance color and tender maternal pose, was chosen to appeal to collectors and the general public alike during the nation’s bicentennial era.
The large red cachet mirrors the stamp design and includes the Art Craft imprint plus the words “Season’s Greetings Christmas 1975,” making it an attractive display piece for both Christmas and art-topical collectors.
A nice, clean example in very good condition that would enhance any holiday or National Gallery topical collection.
