Queen Elizabeth II domestic rate stamp (Canada)
The Queen Elizabeth II domestic rate stamp is a definitive stamp issued by Canada Post, and bearing the image of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. Seven versions of the stamp have been issued since 2003.
Background[edit]
Canada has depicted its sovereigns on stamps since 1851; that tradition continues into the present day. Since 1939, the image of Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on 59 stamps issued in Canada, most of them definitives.[1][2] Canada Post spokesperson Cindy Daoust was quoted as stating that stamps bearing the image of the Queen now "outsells other stamps, ten to one, whether it's a commemorative edition or definitive one."[3]
Design[edit]
At Rideau Hall, on December 19, 2003, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, along with Canada Post President and CEO André Ouellet, and Canadian pop music artist and photographer Bryan Adams, unveiled a 49 cent domestic rate Canada Post definitive stamp bearing the image of Queen Elizabeth II. Canada Post issued this stamp partly at the urging of the Monarchist League of Canada; the definitives were issued as double commemorative-definitives (normally these types of stamps are different) to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.[4][5]
Using a black-and-white photographic portrait of the Queen, taken by Bryan Adams during a five-minute session with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, Saskia van Kampen of the Toronto graphics firm Gottschalk + Ash cropped the image, placed the Queen's face off-centre and gave it a sepia tone wash. The informal portrait was a break from the tradition of using official portraits or effigies of monarchs on Canadian stamps. Bryan Adams said of his picture as a "glimpse of the real person... The thing that made this photo win out, was her charming smile. It is a one in a million." This stamp was released again on December 20, 2004, as a 50 cent domestic with a blue wash, chosen to contrast with the colour of the previous stamp. As a security measure, but also to provide greater depth of colour, the blue tint consisted of six different colours.
2003 49 cent stamp |
2004 50 cent stamp |
2006 Permanent stamp |
2008 Permanent stamp |
2009 Permanent stamp |
2010 Permanent stamp |
2013 Permanent stamp |
Non-denominated stamps[edit]
It was announced on September 19, 2006, that a series of new definitives would be issued in December of that year, as a non-denominated stamp, which will remain valid for domestic first class mail (up to 30g) through any future postal rate increases. The new series included a Queen stamp, which used a colour image taken during her tour to celebrate the centennials of Saskatchewan and Alberta. A "P" in the lower right-hand corner appears instead of a numerical value to indicate it is good for the basic domestic letter rate.[6] The second version of this stamp was issued on December 27, 2007, featuring an image of the Queen during her 2005 visit to Saskatchewan and Alberta.[7]
References[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stamps of Canada. |
- ^ Library and Archives Canada: Canadian Postal Archives Database
- ^ Library and Archives Canada: Canadian Postal Archives Database
- ^ Cindy Daoust, Canada Post Corporation, in the Victoria (BC) News, Dec. 14, 2005.
- ^ Golden Jubilee issue of 2002
- ^ Coronation 50th anniversary issue of 2003
- ^ Canada Post: Canada Post Introduces New Stamp with Lasting Appeal! Pennywise Canadians to benefit from new Permanent stamp; September 19, 2006
- ^ Canada Post: New 2008 definitive stamps light the way for the New Year; December 11, 2007
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