[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Free ATA Holiday Stamp Checklist Now Available To All

What’s green, leafy and a happy holiday tradition? It’s the American Topical Association’s annual free stamp checklist of mistletoe on stamps! The 2023 free checklist identifies 22 stamps containing mistletoe issued by 15 countries from Australia to Yugoslavia.

Similar to the more than 1,600 topical checklists ATA makes available to its members, this year’s free checklist includes each stamp’s country of origin, date issued, denomination, Scott number, and a description of the stamp.

“ATA Checklists are offered in 48 categories including Aviation, Inventors, Nature, Space, and World Landmarks,” said Jennifer Miller, ATA executive director. “Access to purchasing our many checklists is available only to ATA members, but we enjoy making one specially curated list each year to share with all philatelists. The mistletoe topic won this year’s honors.”

Mistletoe holds a place in multiple cultures including Norse culture, where the plant was a sign of love and peace. In 18th century England, mistletoe became an oft-hung Christmas decoration with a twist: a catalyst for kissing a special someone who might be standing beneath the plant. Today, this semi-parasitic plant is studied by scientists for its medicinal properties to treat anxiety, according to a paper in the National Library of Medicine’s National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Explore more about mistletoe by downloading your free mistletoe PDF checklist. Go to the ATA website at americantopical.org or click here to take you to the free checklist page.

Healthful balm, holiday aphrodisiac or philatelists’ tool—no matter what you think of mistletoe, ATA’s free mistletoe checklist is sure to bring joy to your holiday season.