US Stamps 2002 American Bats 5 Sheets of 20

US Stamps 2002 American Bats 5 Sheets of 20 Bats, the only mammal capable of full-powered flight, are vital to controlling insect pests that annoy humans and threaten farm crops. A single bat can catch from 500 to 1000 insects such as mosquitos, moths, beetles, gnats, and crickets, in just one hour. Issued in time for Halloween invitations, these stamps were designed to promote the hobby during National Stamp Collecting Month. Please note: Due to the layout of the pane, the se-tenant may or may not be provided in Scott Catalogue order. Happy Halloween! Today well look back on some of the history behind Halloween! Samhain (Old Irish for summers end) is often considered to be one of the oldest precursors to Halloween. Its a traditional Gaelic festival first documented around the 10th century. It is believed modern Jack-o-lanterns were inspired by a Samhain custom. People would hollow out turnips and carve faces into them to use as lanterns at night. Samhain was a festival to prepare for winter. It lasted from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st. Huge bonfires were lit as a cleansing ritual, crops were harvested and stored, and animals were moved to winter pastures. It was a celebration to hold people through the long, cold days to come. Samhain was also believed to be a day when the barrier to the otherworld could be crossed by fairies, spirits, or souls of the dead. Although some spirits were good or the souls of loved ones, others were evil and needed to be warded off. It was said that dressing in disguise and mimicking a spirit would prevent it from harming you. Some of these disguised people went door-to-door singing or reciting verses in exchange for food. Samhain was originally observed in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. But its practices have since evolved and spread to other countries around the world. Christian practices also play a significant role in the history of Halloween. November 1 is All Saints Day and November 2 is All Souls Day. It has long been common practice to hold vigils the night before these holy days, so October 31 became known as All Hallows Eve. The term Allhallowtide was first used to describe the season in 1471. It was said the boundary between the living and the dead thinned during this three-day period. Some thought they needed to disguise themselves to avoid being recognized by a wayward soul one possible origin of Halloween costumes. In Poland, people were taught to pray aloud when walking at night to comfort the souls of the dead. Some believed that Jack-o-lanterns represented souls trapped in purgatory. November 1st is All Saints Day, which celebrates all dead saints and martyrs, while November 2nd is All Souls Day and includes all Christians who have died. Different countries have different traditions to celebrate these days. Some prepare offerings of food for their loved ones souls. Others lay flowers or wreaths on graves and light candles in the cemetery. Allhallowtide not only remembers the dead but celebrates their lives as well. According to most accounts, Halloween spread into North America in the 19th century largely due to an influx of Irish and Scottish immigrants. It soon became a major holiday throughout the country and by the start of the 20th century was celebrated coast to coast. The condition of the stamp is as shown in the image and is suitable for paying postage or collecting.