Christmas stamps from Australia

 

Date of Issue : 1 November 2013

For this year’s Christmas Australia Post issued two sets of Christmas stamps, Religious and Festive on 1st November 2013. Australia Post has issued Christmas stamps since 1957. The religious stamps for Christmas 2013 are details of a mini sheet that depicts the Nativity scene. The Virgin Mary tenderly cradles the baby Jesus while Joseph and shepherds look on.

The religious stamps and mini sheet are the work of Australian artist, Paul Newton, whose work is held in many Australian and overseas collections, including the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Newton has a love of religious art, and was recently commissioned to paint 32 religious pictures for the interior of the Domus Australia guest house chapel in Rome. The festive stamps depict familiar trappings of Christmas – a Christmas tree, a gift, a lit candle and a bell.

Stamp Booklet