Ottawa - On June 30, Canada Post issued a second set of four domestic rate (52¢) stamps celebrating the achievements of Canadians in Hollywood. The stamps feature Marie Dressler, Raymond Burr, Norma Shearer, and Chief Dan George.
The set of four stamps entitled The Sequel were designed by John Belisle and Kosta Tsetsekas of Vancouver's Signals Design and use images created by Neal Armstrong. The background of each stamp is evocative of each star's career: Dressler's shows a scene inspired by a photograph taken from a clip of Tugboat Annie, Burr's has the Perry Mason courtroom; Shearer's features an art deco portrait by George Hurrell that recalls many of her films, and Chief Dan George's depicts a scene from Little Big Man. Belisle, Tsetsekas and Armstrong also produced the first set of Canadians in Hollywood stamps featuring John Candy, Fay Wray, Lorne Greene and Mary Pickford.
Marie Dressler (1868-1934) was the first female star of film comedy and obtained her first starring role in 1914 in Tillie's Punctured Romance, the first feature-length comedy every made. She went on to star in more than 40 films including Min and Bill, Anna Christie, Dinner at Eight and Tugboat Annie.
Raymond Burr (1917-1993) is perhaps best known for his roles as lawyer Perrry Mason and wheelchair-bound chief of detectives Robert Ironside in the TV series Ironside. Burr also appeared in some 140 films including Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Rear Window.
Norma Shearer's (1900-1983) hard beginnings changed when she landed a role in the 1920 movie The Stealers. She was eventually signed by M-G-M, which cast her in The Actress and The Trial of Mary Dugan. Shearer avoided typecasting by playing a variety of roles, including Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Juliet, and a career woman in The Divorcee, which earned Shearer an Academy Award™.
Chief Dan George (1899-1981) found fame at 65; an unusual Hollywood story. In the early 1960s when the actor playing Ol' Antoine in the CBC series Cariboo Country fell ill, George's eldest son suggested they use a real aboriginal in the role and introduced his father. George immediately brought the character to life and became a driving force behind the series' success. He subsequently played in Little Big Man, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Harry and Tonto and Americathon, to name a few.
In order to connect the audience to the stamps, illustrations by Adam Rogers were used to craft the Souvenir Sheet and Official First day cover. Adam created a vintage feel that gives a the impression of being in a theatre watching a movie. With a movie audience in the foreground, the stamps sit right on the screen. Movie-themed cancels depict a bag of popcorn and a soft drink with a straw. "The cancels connect the audience to the silver screen and help to create a real movie experience," said designer John Belisle.
The Canadians in Hollywood: The Sequel stamp series can be used for everyday mailing, and for those who enjoy collecting movie memorabilia or stamps Canada Post is offering postcards (stamped for mailing anywhere in the world). The stamp booklets will also randomly feature one of the four Canadians in Hollywood on the cover, adding additional collectability to the set; or a set of the four booklets can be purchased.
The domestic rate stamps measure 30.75 mm x 48.75 mm (vertical) with simulated perforations. Canadian Bank Note printed 4.5 million stamps which will be sold in booklets of eight. The self-adhesive stamp will be printed using lithography in five colours plus varnish on Tullis Russell paper. They are general tagged on all sides. The Souvenir Sheet however has 13+ perforations and measures 136 mm x 77 mm (horizontal) and has P.V.A. gum. The Official First Day Cover will bear the cancel MONTREAL QUEBEC AND VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA.
More information on this commemorative stamp is available in the Newsroom section of the Canada Post Web site; and a photo of the stamp is available in the Photo Centre of the Newsroom. The stamp and Official First Day Cover will be available at participating post offices, online through 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.
What is the Canadians in Hollywood - The Sequel stamp series?
Stamp series - Fact sheet
What is the Canadians in Hollywood stamp set?
The Canadians in Hollywood: The Sequel stamp issue is the second set of domestic rate stamps created to honour the lives and achievements of four Canadians who have left a lasting impression in Hollywood. The first set of four was issued in May 26, 2006 and featured Fay Wray, John Candy, Mary Pickford and Lorne Greene
Who are the featured stars?
Norma Shearer (1902 - 1983) - born in Montreal Quebec
Marie Dressler (baptismal 1863 & gravestone 1871 - 1934) - born in Cobourg Ontario
Chief Dan George (1899 - 1981) - born in Burrard Reserve Vancouver Island British Columbia
Raymond Burr (1917 - 1993) - born in New Westminster, British Columbia
Availability:
The
Canadians in Hollywood stamps can be purchased at local Canadian postal outlets, online at
www.canadapost.ca/collecting or by calling toll-free 1-800-565-4362.
Retail price:
Booklet of 8 self-adhesive stamps: $4.16
Special souvenir sheet of four stamps: $2.08
Official First Day Cover: $3.08
Postcards, stamped for mailing anywhere in the world: $1.69
Collector Piece set of 4 booklets: $16.64
Stamp information:
Issue date: June 30, 2008
Off-sale date: June 29, 2009, or while supplies last
4.5 million booklets printed
