July 2, 2010
Canada Post issued two stamps today in honour of renowned Canadian painter Prudence Heward. The two paintings, Rollande and At the Theatre, are examples of Heward's most recognized genre – portraits of women and children. Rollande (1929) depicts an assertive rural woman while At the Theatre (1928) showcases two women wearing bare-backed gowns in a theatre.
"Canada Post is privileged to bring further recognition to talented Canadians such as Prudence Heward," said Jim Phillips, Canada Post's Director of Stamp Services. "The Art Canada series is a long-standing tradition at Canada Post paying tribute to Canadian artists in various mediums." Starting today more than 1.5 million of the Heward stamps are in circulation.
"It's an incredible honour for the Heward family, and we're absolutely pleased with the choice of paintings that are being featured in the issue," said Heward's nephew Chilion Heward, who spent his summers caddying his aunt and her artist friends, whom he remembers as a group of "wonderful women, wonderful characters – all very eccentric and all great friends."
Heward lived (1896-1947) when women were not readily accepted or recognized in the male-dominated artistic fraternity. She studied art in France and in Montréal where she was a member of the Beaver Hall Group, a Quebec group of artists that recognized female artists and permitted their membership.
The stamps measures 35 mm x 40 mm (vertical) and has 13+ perforations. Printed by Lowe-Martin on Tullis Russell paper using lithography in seven colours, the stamp is gummed and general tagged on four sides. The official first day cover will be cancelled in Montréal, Quebec. The stamps are available in panes of 16.
Additional information about Canadian stamps and photos of these new stamps can be found in the news section of Canada Post's website. Stamps and other products are available at participating post offices, or can be ordered online by following the links at canadapost.ca/collection, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USD, call toll-free: 1-800 565-4362, and from other countries, call: 902-863-6550.
