Christmas stamps feature historic nativity-themed painting and a trio of amusing animal portraits
OTTAWA /CNW/ – Canada Post combines whimsical holiday Canadiana with a traditional sacred Christmas image in this year’s holiday stamps offering. These beautifully designed stamps will add a special touch of holiday joy to cards and letters sent across the country and beyond.
Charming close-ups of a moose, a beaver and a polar bear are each decked out in retro festive attire on these bold and amusing PermanentTM domestic, U.S.- and International-rate stamps. Elements of clothing flowing beyond the edges of the stamp frame emphasize the stylish humour of these Canadiana cameos.
The fourth stamp, a PermanentTM domestic stamp, features an image from a nativity-themed painting by Adraen Isenbrandt entitledThe Adoration of the Magi. The painting, from the early 16th century, depicts the moment when Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus behold the arrival of the Magi. The Wise Men can be seen in the background. The painting was photographed for the stamp by Denis Farley, and the image was made available courtesy of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The painting was part of a generous donation made to the museum by Michal and Renata Hornstein.
“The world’s first Christmas stamp was issued in Canada in 1898, and at Canada Post we value that tradition,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. “The holiday stamps are the final issue in this year’s stamp program, and they are ever-popular.”
About the Christmas stamps
Christmas – Animals: Designed by Paprika and illustrated by well-known painter, illustrator and artist Gérard DuBois, each of the 3 stamps measures 22 mm by 24 mm. The stamps are printed by Lowe-Martin in 5 colour lithography. The Permanent™ domestic stamps are available in booklets of 12 and the U.S. rate and International rate stamps are each available in booklets of 6. Souvenir sheets of all 3 stamps are available. The Official First Day Cover cancellation site is Christmas Island, N.S.
Christmas – Madonna and Child: Designed by Louise Méthé, this Permanent™ domestic stamp measures 26.25 mm by 32.25 mm. The stamp was printed by Canadian Bank Note in 6 colour lithography. It is available in booklets of 12. The Official First Day Cover cancellation site is Montréal, Que..
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Canada Post’s 2016 stamp program: exploring the Canadian cultural, historical, and natural landscape
OTTAWA /CNW/ – From historic achievements and milestone moments in Canada’s political movement to wild creatures from the past and present, the subjects Canada Post has announced for its 2016 stamp program are unique threads in the nation’s fabric. A couple of special releases are still under wraps and will be announced closer to their launch date.
Strong Women: A new definitive stamp honouring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be issued, a fitting tribute to the longest reigning monarch in history. A special commemorative stamp will also mark the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Canada and its role in the fight for equality.
Strong Men: This year’s Black History Month stamp will pay homage to the brave men of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, which celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2016. Some tough and talented Canadian puck-handlers get the nod in the fourth set in a five-year series leading up to the 100th anniversary of the National Hockey League.
Happy Holidays: The popular Lunar New Year stamp series continues with the eighth release in the 12-year series – this time, with the Monkey taking the reins from the Ram. The year closes out, as always, with the highly anticipated religious and secular Christmas stamps, the former featuring Master of the Castello Nativity’s Virgin and Child and the latter, images from Rolf Harder Christmascards.
Flora and Fauna: Canada’s wildlife takes centre stage in two upcoming issues, as the showy hydrangea thrills fans of the Flower series and new talent shines with the launch of a series on Official Birds. This time around, the cast features the Atlantic puffin (NL), the rock ptarmigan (NT), the sharp-tailed grouse (SK), the common raven (YT) and the great horned owl (AB).
Scary Stuff: The final offering in the Haunted Canada series comes to a (dead) end with frightful scenes from the North West Territories Nahanni region and Prince Edward Island’s Holland Cove. Dino-philes will delight as the second wave of Dinos of Canadacomes crashing in with Cypretherium coarctatum (SK), Acrotholous (AB), Atrociraptor marshalli (AB), Bathygnathus borealis (PEI) and the Comox Valley elasmosaur (BC).
Eye Candy: Spectacular images continue to grace the offerings in two ongoing stamp series. The fourth installation of Canadian Photography will take a loving look through the lenses of Michel Campeau, Lutz Dille, Angela Grauerholz, Byron Harmon, Alexander Henderson, Humphrey Lloyd Hime and Yousuf Karsh. Some of Canada’s most treasured landscapes will appear in the latest issue on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Old Town Lunenburg (NS), SGang Gwaay (BC), the Rideau Canal (ON), the Landscape of Grand Pré (NS) and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (AB).
A Stamp that Soars: The stylized bird featured on this year’s annual Canada Post Community Foundation Stamp symbolizes hope for the youth who benefit from the programs supported, in part, by the proceeds earned from this semi-postal fundraising stamp.
“Our 2016 issues highlight historic moments, fantastic stories, and unique places,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. “They take us all around the country and invite us back in time. They help make our stories come alive and, in so doing, help to define what being Canadian is all about.”
Canada Post’s Stamp Advisory Committee recommends the themes and designs for the annual stamp program. The committee is composed of individuals from across Canada who have diverse skills and subject-matter expertise, represent both English- and French-speaking populations, and reflect the country’s multicultural make-up. Canada Post’s Board of Directors review the committee’s recommendations to establish the final selections for each year.
SOURCE Canada Post