Description
About the stamp design: Each pictures a colorful digital illustration of traditional pi?ata designs – donkeys and seven-point stars. The colors were inspired by those that are popular in Mexican culture. Artwork by Victor Meléndez.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Roswell, New Mexico during the 36th annual Pi?ata Festival.
History the stamp represents: Pi?atas are a popular feature at birthday parties and other celebrations. The bright colors, fun shapes, and treats inside bring joy to everyone. In 2023, the USPS brought this joy to our mail with a set of four stamps picturing traditional Mexican pi?atas.
The star and donkey are the most popular pi?ata shapes in Mexico. They were introduced in the 1500s when Spanish missionaries used pi?atas to connect with the locals. Both cultures had similar traditions of breaking containers filled with treats. So, the missionaries created containers in these shapes to resemble aspects of the Nativity. The star represents the Star of Bethlehem (as well as the seven deadly sins) and the donkey is the burro Mary rode to the manger.
Early pi?atas were clay pots decorated in colorful feathers and paper and filled with fruit and sugar cane. Over time, the pots were replaced with cardboard and papier-maché. Most pi?atas today are filled with candy, but can include toys, fruit, or anything else.
Since 2006, Mexico’s Museum of Folk Art has held an annual pi?ata contest celebrating their history and artistry. The museum also hosts pi?ata workshops and has pi?atas as part of its permanent collections.
Interestingly, the world’s largest pi?ata was built in Philadelphia in 2022. It stood 61 feet tall, 60 feet long, 23 feet wide, and held 8,000 pounds of candy!
5 books of 100 First-Class Forever® USPS postage stamps. *The slash over “Forever” in the image is to protect it from being used to produce counterfeit postage. Actual stamps will not have this.
