2018-10-06 Sat

For the second year in a row, the United States Postal Service is engaging in a joint issue with Israel celebrating Hanukah. Last year USPS released a joint stamp issue with Canada Post that celebrated the history of hockey.

This year, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah will be marked with a nondenominated (50c) forever stamp from the United States and a companion 8.30-shekel issue from Israel Post. The stamp was designed by USPS art director Ethel Kessler.

The new Hanukkah stamp artwork features a menorah created using the techniques of the traditional Jewish folk art of paper-cutting. Behind the menorah is a shape reminiscent of an ancient oil jug that represents the heart of Hanukkah. Additional design elements include dreidels — spinning tops used to play a children’s game during the holiday — and a pomegranate plant with fruit and flowers.

Israel’s version of the stamp uses the same artwork. “ISRAEL-USA” appears at upper left. The denomination and “ISRAEL” are found at lower left. This is the second joint issue from the United States and Israel to celebrate Hanukkah.

Image Courtesy: https://www.linns.com