The year is drawing to a close, and this is the last opportunity for postal operators to issue new stamps.
As we have come to expect every year, the new festive stamps have arrived to send our best wishes. This year, POST Luxembourg has chosen the theme of ‘American St. Nick’..
Behind this theme is a beautiful story that happened in 1944 in Wiltz, in the north of Luxembourg. The town had been ravaged by war and, after its liberation, was home to, among others, the 28th American Infantry Division, which decided to share the joys of the festive season with the local population, especially the children.
Following in the tradition of Luxembourg’s St. Nicholas, Corporals Richard Brookins and Harry Stutz organised an impromptu ‘American St. Nick’, who travelled through the streets of Wiltz in an army jeep accompanied by two young girls dressed as angels. The soldiers shared their rations with the public, offering them sweets to mark the occasion.
And this tradition continues today thanks to the shopkeepers of Wiltz who have taken up the baton! In 1977, Corporal Richard Brookins even returned from the United States to revive his “American St. Nick”. He returned several times afterwards. This wonderful story has been brought back to life in philately thanks to two stamps designed by Marco Zorzi, and will enable Luxembourg philatelists to share it with others..
The festive season is also a good time for charity stamps. This year, for the third time, POST Luxembourg has chosen wild orchids for its stamps. Four pretty varieties are in the limelight thanks to the expert eye of photographer Marianne Majerus.
Let’s continue with the subject of nature with a booklet of 5*2 stamps featuring young mammals. Wild cats, roe deer, badgers, foxes and hares have been chosen to represent the fauna of Luxembourg’s forests, which are home to more than 70 species. As well as raising awareness of these species, the aim of the programme is to raise public awareness of the decline in these animal populations..
More officially, the special stamp for the Presidency of the Council of Europe celebrates the chairmanship of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for a period of six months from November 2024. Founded in 1949, the Council of Europe aims to promote the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It also encourages international cooperation to strengthen its social project and the protection of vulnerable communities.
Literature is not left out either, thanks to the stamp issued to mark the 500th anniversary of the Coryciana, a collection of 399 Latin epigrams written by the elite poets of the time. The Coryciana were published by the Roman cleric and poet Blosio Palladio in Rome in 1524. He dedicated them to his friend Corycius, hence the name of the work.
Another stamp begins the series of Luxembourg castles, featuring the ‘Fielser Schlass’, or Larochette Castle. The Grand Duchy has many impressive castles. POST Luxembourg has therefore chosen to honour this ancient heritage.
In addition to these stamps, philatelists will be able to choose from a range of other attractive products at the end of the year, including the 12th volume of ‘Das ass Lëtzbuerg!’, the commemorative set for the Pope’s visit, the euro 2024 ‘Underwater fauna and flora’ set and the 2024 annual collection. You can buy them on the POST Philately e-shop. – www.postphilately.lu.
