Christmas Magi Stamps 2014

The stamp celebrates the biblical story of three visitors from the east who came bearing gifts for Jesus. The stamp art depicts the Magi atop camels near the summit of a small hill. Guiding them is a large, dazzling star. In the west, Three Kings Day is celebrated Jan. 6. In many cultures, this is the day for exchanging gifts, rather than Christmas Day.

The colors in the sky range from rose, near the horizon, darkening to a rich purple at the top, suggesting that the travelers are moving through the desert at dawn.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp, which was illustrated by Nancy Stahl.

The Christmas Magi Limited Edition Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Issue: Christmas Magi Stamp

Item Number: 689700

Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail, Forever, 49 cents

Format: Double-Sided Booklet of 20 (1 design)

Series: N/A

Issue Date & City: November 19, 2014, Washington,DC 20066

Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA

Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA

Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA

Artist: Nancy Stahl, New York, NY

Modeler: Donald Woo

Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint

Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP

Printed at: Browns Summit, NC

Press Type: Alprinta, Model 74

Stamps per Booklet: 20

Print Quantity: 200 million

Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall

Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive

Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC

Stamp Orientation: Vertical

Image Area (w x h): 0.77 x 1.05 in./19.56 x 26.67 mm

Stamp Size (w x h): 0.91 x 1.19 in./23.11 x 30.23 mm

Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.74x2.38in./145.87 x 60.33 mm

Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.49 x 9.5 in./291.74 x 241.30 mm

Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black,PMS 8520

Plate Size: 160 stamps per revolution

Plate Numbers: S followed by five (5)single digits

Marginal Markings: • Plate numbers · 2014 - USPS Logo