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Canada Post Announces new Hanukkah Postmark

11/6/2021

Canada Post will be offering a special Hanukkah postmark as part of its pictorial cancel series. Collectors wishing this philatelic souvenir, can send stamped (Canadian postage required— $1.30 for delivery in the USA ; $2.70 for international destinations) self-addressed envelopes to:

Postmaster /Maître de Poste

210 Rue St. Joseph E.,

Disraeli, QC G0N 1E0

The first U.S. Hanukkah Stamp

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the victory that led to the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE. People of the Jewish faith celebrate with traditional foods, games, and gifts. Another popular tradition is lighting a candle in a ritual nine-branched candelabrum called a Hanukkah menorah, or more properly a Hanukkiah, for each of the eight nights the holiday is observed. The ninth candle, called the Shamash, is used to light the others. This year, Hannukah will begin on Sunday, November 28, and end on Monday, December 6.

The USPS has offered collectors a choice of special first day cover cancellations, as well as issuing stamps to celebrate the holiday, with the first Hanukkah stamp (Scott 3118) being released in 1996 (pictured above).

Some special non-FDC cancellations related to Hannukah can be found on covers from USPS temporary stations, which were set up at various events throughout the country to help deal with the massive amount of holiday mail.

Example of a non-FDC cancel from a USPS temporary station at the Jewish Museum in New York

We hope that you enjoy the Holidays! For more information about past holiday stamps, click here.

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