U.S. #5541
2020 55¢ Winter Scenes: Sleigh Ride
Issue Date: October 16, 2020
First Day City: Winter Park, FL
Type of Stamp: Definitive
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Double-sided booklet of 20
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 400,000,000
Before modern roads and snow-clearing methods, many people relied on sleighs to travel through snowy conditions. There were many different types of sleighs, some that were more about function, and others that were more luxurious.
One of the most basic sleigh designs was technically not a sleigh at all. It was called a cutter or light sleigh and included just one seat. These could be pulled by a single horse and were built in either the Albany or Portland style. Albany cutters had a surved design while Portland cutters were more angular and square-bodied.
Four-passenger sleighs, on the other hand, were more ornate and designed for comfort. They were given extra design pieces that served no practical function, but made the sleighs especially pleasing to the eye. Some four-passenger sleighs even had storage space underneath the seats, allowing travelers to stow their belongings and feel less crowded on their journey.
Today, we have plenty of options for winter travel. however, there are still plenty of scenic winter sleigh tours available across the northern United States. Riding through the snow while listening to the gentle ringing of sleigh bells is something everyone should experience.