Caption A Charlie Brown Christmas stamp

By John M. Hotchner

There is little that is more universally symbolic of Christmas than the Christmas tree. Choosing just the right specimen for the annual celebration is often laden with tradition.

As with other things surrounding the Christmas season, the imperative to have the biggest and best can obscure the essential meaning of “peace on Earth, goodwill to man.”

Charles Schulz took on this theme with his 1965 animated TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was hugely popular when first aired and has lost nothing in its appeal ever since.

The U.S. Postal Service recognized this fact when it issued a set of 10 forever stamps in booklet form before Christmas 2015.

The stamp picturing Linus, Charlie Brown and his rather threadbare Christmas tree (Scott 5028) will be the cartoon caption contest stamp for December.

Various interpretations have been given to the meaning of the tree and the TV special; the most prevalent is that it is a protest against commercialism. The tree may be unattractive by normal standards, but we can look beyond its faults to what it represents.

In coming up with an entry for the cartoon contest, you can use the Christmas theme, or another approach, such as stamp collecting, current events, the Peanuts cartoon legacy, or whatever else occurs to you.

There will be two prizes given to the winners: one for the best philatelic line, and one for the best nonphilatelic line.

The important thing is to use your sense of humor, because entries with a humorous twist have the best chance of winning a prize.

Put your entry (or entries) on a postcard if possible and send it to me, John Hotchner, Cartoon Contest, Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125; or email it to jmhstamp@verizon.net. If you send an email, it is essential that you include your postal mailing address.

For each winner, the prize will be a 13-week subscription to Linn’s (a new subscription or an extension).

To be considered for the prizes, entries must reach me no later than Dec. 28.

Why not enter now while you’re thinking about it?

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