Stamps That Tell a Story
Could getting airborne help Santa make his appointed rounds?
Each year for more than twenty years Brazil has issued several special airletter sheets for the holiday season. These aerogrammes have different colourful themes, and everyone is encouraged to use them. The 1980 series included one sheetlet where a modern day Santa Claus is delivering his presents via hang glider.
But I also would like to show the side which is more important to the aerophilatelist or stamp collector, the front (which is to say the postal part of it) side.
Because the Christmas holidays arrive at different times around the world, Santa Claus, Saint Nick, der Weihnachtsmann, Sankt Ruprecht or by whichever name he is called in your part of the world, has to work fast, very fast.
So, why not deliver all the presents via glider or hang glider? There is not too much explaining I can do on the subject of Santa, I’m afraid. This is a custom which originated long before anyone invented the aeroplane or flying machine.
To all of you it is my hope that we all may experience peace, hope and friendship during this holiday season and throughout the coming year!
©2003 Simine Short
Also by the Author
- Stamps That Tell a Story: The Series — Catch up on your missing instalments of this excellent and informative series of articles presented previously in the New RCSD.
This article first appeared in the January, 2003 issue of Gliding magazine. Simine Short is an aviation researcher and historian. She has written more than 150 articles on the history of motorless flight and is published in several countries around the world as well as the United States. She is also the editor of the Bungee Cord, the quarterly publication of the Vintage Sailplane Association.
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