This is an official Art Craft first day cover for the 1975 U.S. Christmas stamp featuring the painting Madonna and Child by Domenico Ghirlandaio from the National Gallery of Art. The cover bears a crisp October 14, 1975 Washington, DC first-day postmark and the 10¢ stamp in the upper right.
The 1975 Christmas issue continued the long-standing U.S. tradition of releasing a new stamp each year for the holiday season. Ghirlandaio’s tender Renaissance depiction of the Madonna and Child resonated with collectors and the public alike, highlighting the National Gallery’s renowned collection of Italian art during America’s bicentennial era.
The large red cachet reproduces the artwork in fine detail with the inscription “Season’s Greetings Christmas 1975” and the Art Craft copyright mark, making this an attractive example of 1970s cachet artistry.
A nice addition for Christmas topical collectors or anyone building a run of National Gallery or Art Craft first day covers, the cover is in fresh condition with a clear postmark and well-centered stamp.
