Gregory Scolieri
ACE#579
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This first day cover was made by Gregory Scolieri (ACE 579). It features an add-on cachet that was made on October 30, 2024 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 contemporary Christmas Stamp’s release.
🧑🎄The Most Perfect Christmas Stamp🧑🎄
By Gregory Scolieri
According to a recent poll, the 1984 Contemporary Christmas Stamp was rated as the #1 Christmas Stamp ever produced by the United States Postal Service.[1] The colorful and playful artwork of Santa Claus holding a sack of toys just brings happiness to my heart. I was 6 years old when this stamp was released, and I remember thinking this stamp, which was drawn by a kid, was truly special. As a young stamp collector, I thought in wonderment that maybe I could draw next year’s stamp. Fast forward 40 years later, I still collect stamps, still love Christmas and remarkably I was able to talk on the telephone with Daniel LaBoccetta, the artist behind the 1984 Contemporary Christmas stamp. Daniel was 6 years of age when he drew the artwork for the stamp. Surprisingly, Daniel now lives in my hometown of Seaford, New York, only a ¼ mile from my house. I was able to catch up with Daniel on the telephone to talk about how his artwork was chosen to be featured on a stamp, how he met President Reagan and what he is up to as an adult.
This cover was made by Gregory Scolieri (ACE 579) and is postmarked on October 30, 2024 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 contemporary Christmas Stamp’s release.
THE CONTEST: Daniel’s design was chosen as one of the winners in a United States Postal Service nationwide contest. There were over 500,000 entrants. Daniel’s design became the 20 cent 1984 Contemporary Christmas Stamp and was issued on October 30, 1984.[2] During my conversation with Daniel, he recalled that he drew the artwork in school, but at the time he did not know it was being entered into a contest. He recalls that his art teacher, Rose Furia, said to draw something for Christmas and that it was just another “ordinary day” in school for him. But years later, he came to learn that he won the contest and that his design would be featured on a postage stamp. Daniel learned that he won the contest from his mother while he was playing in his driveway. He said it took years to realize how big of a deal it really was.
This hand painted first day cover was crafted by Bernard Goldberg. It is number 15 out of 99 made. This cover features official first day of issue postmarks for both of the1984 Christmas Stamps made by the USPS and is signed by the cachet artist.
MEETING PRESIDENT REAGAN AND ROCK STAR STATUS:
Being the designer of the 1984 Christmas stamp had its perks. Daniel received rock star attention and notoriety because of the stamp. Daniel, during my conversation with him, recalled the First Day of Issue Ceremony fondly. He told me about the hundreds of autographs he signed that day. The first day ceremony was held in the auditorium at the grade school he attended, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Queens, New York. The Press attention was also huge. Daniel said not only was he featured in local and national newspapers and news broadcasts, but also was interviewed by foreign press. Stamp collectors from around the world (Japan, China, United Kingdom) also reached out to him for his autograph or for him to draw a picture for them. Entertainment agents sought him out for roles on television shows and the like. However, he said his mother was not comfortable for him to try out for the shows. He also met New York City Mayor Ed Koch at an event for the stamp in Manhattan and met the Postmaster General, William Bolger. Incredibly, in 1984, NBC aired the “Christmas In Washington” special with President Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, Hal Linden, Nell Carter and Daniel. President Reagan introduced Danny onto the stage to sing with him and the other performers the final Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing. What a spectacular moment. He had the opportunity to talk with President Reagan and the Osmonds at the afterparty. The video of this event can be viewed on YouTube and is really worth the watch.[3]
This cute hand painted first day cover of the 1984 contemporary Christmas stamp was made by Don Kraeck of “D EDITION CACHETS” out of New York, New York. It features two postmarks: An official first day cancellation from Jamaica, New York and an unofficial first day cancellation from Deer Park, Long Island, New York.
THE PRESENT:
Daniel currently is a high school math teacher and has been so for over 25 years now. He is married with 2 daughters. Daniel told me he dusts off his mementos from the stamp every year around Christmas time to show his students and family. Even though some of the fanfare from the stamp has died down through the years, once in a while a stamp collector reaches out to him; such as a crazed Art Cover Exchange member wanting to interview him.
[1] The poll was conducted on October 30, 2024, exactly 40 years from the issuance of the 1984 Contemporary Christmas Stamp. The poll consisted of one participant, the author of this article.
[2] A photograph of Daniel LaBoccetta and his stamp from 1984 can be viewed at http://www.loc.gov/item/2020731840
[3] The link to the video “Christmas in Washington…” is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui7s5haGEfs
The YouTube channel name is: @classicsforchristmas
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