June 28, 2007
Ottawa - On July 6, Canada Post will issue a domestic rate stamp to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Terra Nova National Park, a natural preserve that defines Newfoundland and Labrador today as much as the retreating glaciers did so many millions of years ago.
Terra Nova is a 400-square-kilometre section of the 2000-kilometre long Appalachian Mountain System that is located in the Avalon Zone of interior Newfoundland. It boasts more than 500 species of plants classified into six forests, three barrens, and ten wetland communities. Seventy per cent of the park's land is composed of boreal forest, dominated by black spruce and balsam fir, while wooded areas in the more sheltered valleys host stands of poplar, alder, and red maple.
Lee Wulff, an American sportsman hired by the Newfoundland Department of Mines and Resources to develop sports tourism in the area, is credited with the idea of establishing the national park. Newman Sound was singled out as the favoured site and on April 12, 1957, The Honorable Jean Lesage, then Minister responsible for National Parks, announced that the Terra Nova National Park had been formally recognized by a Government of Canada Order in Council.
Graphic designer Saskia van Kampen has seized the opportunity to capture in a deep golden glow the striking landscapes and rich array of flora and fauna that distinguish Terra Nova. This design, van Kampen says, is inspired by the diversity to be found in Terra Nova. She created unique selvage designs that incorporate individual prints of each stamp because she "wanted to show more than just the landscape." Other stamps designed by van Kampen include the 2004 Edmonton skyline flag definitive, the 2004 Queen definitive, and the 2004 Christmas stamps.
The concept came together with the able contribution of photographers Garry Black and John Sylvester. As well, Canadian children's book illustrator, author, and artist Vlasta van Kampen (the designer's mother) collaborated on the project, contributing artwork for the Official First Day Cover.
The designer was also commissioned to design the Jasper National Park stamp to be issued on July 20.
Lowe-Martin printed three million stamps that will be sold in booklets of 10 stamps. The stamps, which measure 47.25 mm x 26.25 mm (horizontal), were printed on Tullis Russell paper using lithography in 6 colours. General tagged on all four sides, the stamps are pressure sensitive. The Official First Day Cover cancellation reads GLOVERTOWN NL.
More information on this commemorative stamp is available in the Newsroom section of the Canada Post Web site; a high-resolution photo of the stamp is available in the Photo Centre of the Newsroom. The booklet, souvenir sheet and Official First Day Cover will be available at participating post offices, online following the links on the Canada Post Web site (www.canadapost.ca) or by mail from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada or the United States, call toll-free 1 800 565-4362; from other countries call 902 863-6550.
