Description
20 stamps/page * 5 pages. You got 100 stamps in total.
 
Background:
Before America was a nation, Sinter Klaas delivered small gifts to Dutch children living in New Amsterdam.  As the country grew, the settlement became New York City, and the story of a generous bishop changed into modern-day Santa Claus.
 
Many Europeans celebrated the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6.  A fourth-century bishop named Nicholas was revered for giving gifts to the poor, and it became a tradition for children to set their shoes by the hearth on the evening before his celebration.  During the night, he would fill them with small treats of nuts and fruit.  When the Dutch settled in the New World, they brought their customs with them, including visits from Sinter Klaas, as they called the saint.
 
A poem written by Dr. Clement Clark Moore changed the image of Saint Nicholas in the U.S.  The common title comes from the first line: “Twas the night before Christmas.”  Through this poem, written for his children, Moore introduced us to flying reindeer and a chubby driver able to slide down chimneys effortlessly.  He filled stockings, rather than shoes, with gifts.  Instead of having his own feast day, Santa Claus is now a major part of Christmas celebrations.
 
Santa’s flying sleigh full of toys is quite different from Sinter Klaas’ visits, but the wonder of gifts appearing in the night remains.
 
Art director Howard E. Paine used illustrations by Paul Rogers to create this playful and festive stamp pane.