USPS issued two new Christmas Forever stamp subjects in 2011: the contemporary four-design Holiday Baubles set and the traditional Madonna of the Candelabra by Raphael stamp. Both went on sale October 13, 2011, in New York and both were issued at the then-current 44-cent Forever rate.
2011 Christmas Forever stamps at a glance
| Issue | Style | Designs | Original format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Baubles | Contemporary | Four colorful ornaments | Booklet of 20; ATM sheetlet of 18 |
| Madonna of the Candelabra by Raphael | Traditional | One religious-art design | Booklet of 20 |
Holiday Baubles
The four ornament illustrations were inspired by 1950s holiday decorations. William J. Gicker served as designer and art director, working with illustrations by Linda Fountain. USPS sold the issue as item 679600 in a double-sided booklet of 20 and as item 576800 in an 18-stamp ATM sheetlet.
Madonna of the Candelabra
The traditional design reproduces a detail from Raphael’s circular oil painting Madonna of the Candelabra, dated to about 1513 and held by the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Richard Sheaff directed and designed the stamp. The one-design issue was sold as item 679500 in double-sided booklets of 20.
Are unused 2011 Christmas Forever stamps still valid?
Yes. A genuine unused stamp from either issue remains valid for the current one-ounce domestic First-Class Mail letter rate. Its original 44-cent selling price does not limit its present postage value. Extra postage may be required for a heavier, square, rigid, oversized or international mailpiece.
How to identify a listing
- A complete Holiday Baubles booklet contains 20 stamps across four designs; the ATM format contains 18.
- A complete Madonna of the Candelabra booklet contains 20 copies of one design.
- Separate unused postage from canceled stamps, first-day covers and reproductions.
- Use the issue name and format—not a seller’s listing year alone—to confirm the item.
Browse related designs in our holiday Forever stamps collection.
Official sources
The USPS Holiday Baubles announcement confirms the four designs and both formats. The separate Madonna of the Candelabra announcement documents the artwork and booklet of 20.
Official issue information checked September 1, 2026.