U.S. #1703
1976 13¢ Winter Pastime
Contemporary Christmas
Issue Date: October 27, 1976
City: Boston, MA
Quantity: 481,685,000
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: 11
Color: Multicolored
The subject of this Christmas issue is a lithograph by Nathaniel Currier from 1855, entitled "Winter Pastime." Currier created it two years before he became a partner with James Ives.
U.S. #1702 and #1703 feature the same design; however, #1702 has sharp colors and ½ mm space between the title and the design. U.S. #1703 has dull colors by comparison, and ¾ mm space between the title and the design.
The lettering on this stamp is grey black as opposed to black on the first issue. In addition, the appearance of "snowflaking" is evident in the sky and pond of this issue. The two issues were produced on different presses.