December 12, 2006
Ottawa - Canada Post today announced it will issue three definitive stamps as part of the ongoing Flowers series on December 19. These colourful stamps will bloom on oversized items in Canada and on mailings to the U.S. and international destinations. The stamps will reflect the new rates, which take effect January 15, 2007.
A first ever for Canada Post, the three definitive stamps along with the non-denominated domestic rate PERMANENT™ stamp (issued November 16, 2006) will be released on a souvenir sheet.
The Flat-leaved Bladderwort, which will be seen on the U.S. rate stamp grows in slow running streams and shallow ponds across Canada, while the Little Larkspur, which will be found on the international rate stamp, blooms in late spring and is native to dry grasslands in southern British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Marsh Skullcap flower is featured on the oversized rate stamp. This flower usually comes in pairs and can be found in wet habitats from Newfoundland to the Yukon.
These stamps were a challenge for designers Monique Dufour and Sophie Lafortune who have been working on the Flowers series for years, but continue to agonize over the size requirements of these stamps. The Definitive stamps are some of the tiniest stamps produced by Canada Post. "At that size," says Dufour, "fine lines are invisible and the editing process for the illustration requires special care."
The self-adhesive stamps will be printed using lithography in 5 colours on Tullis Russell Coatings paper and will measure 24 mm x 20 mm (horizontal). The continuous print by Lowe-Martin will run in booklets of six-stamps or coils of 50 stamps and are tagged on all four sides. The Official First Day Cover will read: OTTAWA, ON.
Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the Newsroom section of Canada Post's website, and downloadable high-resolution photos of these new stamps are in the Newsroom's Photo Centre. Stamps and Official First Day Covers will be available at participating post offices, and can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website www.canadapost.ca, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA call toll-free: 1-800-565-4362 and from other countries call: (902) 863-6550.
Canada Post reminds its customers that the new postage rates announced in June, will take effect on January 15, 2007. The new PERMANENT non-denominated stamp, can be used for all domestic standard mailings.
