Russia issued this attractive stamp showing two snowmen holding a banner with the name "Ded Moroz" (Russian for Santa Claus, or as he is called there, Grandfather Frost.) Here is the stamp in a full minisheet.

Mint unhinged, and in pristine condition. SG7460.

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Ded Moroz is a Slavic fictional character similar to that of Father Christmas. The literal translation is "Old man Frost," often translated as "Grandfather Frost." Ded Moroz brings presents to children and often delivers them in person on New Year's Eve.

Ded Moroz is accompanied by Snegurochka ("Snow Maiden"), his granddaughter and helper, who wears long silver-blue robes and a furry cap or a snowflake-like crown. She is a unique attribute of Ded Moroz, since similar characters in other cultures don't have a female companion.

Ded Moroz wears a heel-length fur coat, a semi-round fur hat, and valenki on his feet. He has a long white beard. He walks with a long magic staff and sometimes rides a troika.

Ded Moroz is very popular in modern Russia. In 1998, the town of Veliky Ustyug was declared the home of Ded Moroz by Yury Luzhkov, Mayor of Moscow. The post office in Veliky Ustyug receives about 2,000,000 letters from within Russia & all over the world for Ded Moroz. On January 7, 2008, President Putin visited Ded Moroz' residence in the town of Veliky Ustyug as part of the Russian Orthodox Christmas Eve celebration.

The western Santa Claus made inroads in the Russian Federation during the "turbulent" 1990s when many western ideas such as liberal democracy and market-oriented capitalism were considered panacea solutions for Russia. The resurgence of Russia in the early 21st century brought about a renewed emphasis on the basic Slavic character of Ded Moroz. People playing Ded Moroz and Snegurochka now typically make appearances at children's parties during the winter holiday season, distributing presents and fighting off the wicked witch, Baba Yaga, who children are told wants to steal the gifts.

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