About This Stamp
The 1981 Traditional Christmas stamp was designed by Bradbury Thompson of Riverside, Connecticut, and modeled by Peter Cocci. It was issued in Chicago and featured a Madonna and Child painted during the 15th century by Sandro Botticelli, one of the foremost painters of the Florentine Renaissance. The painting hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago, where the First Day of Issue ceremony took place.
The stamps were printed without denominations, as was the case in 1975, because it was necessary to begin 1981 production during a period of postage rate uncertainty. The stamps were valued at 20 cents, the first-class postage rate effective November 1, and were intended for domestic use only.
The stamps were printed in the photogravure process in panes of 100.