RUDOLPH, Ohio — The most famous reindeer of all is getting a little more face time this year, thanks to the U.S. Postal Service.
Postal officials announced this month it would issue a limited-edition collection of four Forever stamps featuring characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which first aired 50 years ago. Post office officials will dedicate the 49-cent stamp Monday in Rudolph, Ohio, home of the well-known Rudolph postmark.
The Postal Service will issue 500 million stamps bearing the likenesses of Rudolph and his misfit friends, Hermey the elf, Santa, and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster.
Rudolph, Ohio, “The Deerest Little Village in Wood County,” has been offering a special holiday postmark with the reindeer’s image since the early 1990s. Thousands of people have joined in the reindeer games since the tradition began, said Charlotte Lamb, the officer in charge at the Rudolph post office. She estimates between 75,000 and 100,000 parcels come through the office every year.
Since 2012 volunteers, including former postal workers, a judge, and other local officials, have stepped in to help manage the deluge of letters, Christmas cards, and packages. Ms. Lamb said she doesn’t know how many volunteers she has this year, but said she “needs to get some more.” Items come in from all over the country and overseas looking for the Rudolph mark, which changes every year. This year’s design came from an artist in Cincinnati, she said.
A national Rudolph postmark will commemorate the beloved television special’s anniversary.
Postal Service spokesman David Van Allen said dedicating the stamp in Rudolph honors and promotes the village’s long-standing tradition. An enlarged version of the Rudolph stamp will be unveiled and presented for display in the village.
The Rudolph stamp dedication will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Rudolph Christian Church.
The Rudolph postmark will be available Dec. 1-24. Items can be dropped off in person or mailed. To mail items, send them fully addressed and with proper postage in a larger envelope or box to the Rudolph Post Office, Attn: Postmaster, 14018 Mermill Road, Rudolph, OH 43462.
Contact Lauren Lindstrom at llindstrom@theblade.com, 419-724-6154, or on Twitter @lelindstrom.
First Published November 29, 2014, 5:00 a.m.
