Christmas (Canada 2021)

Posted on November 1, 2021 by VSC

[press release] [big pictures of the four stamps are at the bottom of the page]
‘Tis the season for Christmas and holiday stamps
Customers can make mail festive with sacred and secular expressions

OTTAWA – Canadians know that the appearance of Christmas and holiday stamps is a signal that the big day is getting closer. Since 1964, Canada Post has encouraged Canadians to make their cards and letters more festive. Once again, we can all make our mail merrier with stamps bearing either sacred or secular holiday imagery.

characters souvenir sheet

This year’s heavenly Christmas issue is inspired by the angels who played an essential role as messengers in the Nativity story. Designed by Stéphane Huot and illustrated by Luc Melanson, the simple line drawings on a crisp white background call up a sense of purity and peace. The PermanentT domestic rate stamp is available in booklets of 12. The Official First Day Cover is cancelled in Christmas Island, Nova Scotia.

The 2021 holiday stamps, designed by Larry Burke and Anna Stredulinsky of Burke & Burke, and illustrated by Geneviève Godbout, feature adorable, full-of-personality portraits of three classic holiday characters, Santa (domestic rate), a reindeer (U.S. rate) and an elf (international rate). Domestic rate stamps are available in booklets of 12, with the U.S. and international rate stamps offered in booklets of six. A festive souvenir sheet that brings together all three characters is also part of the issue, along with a souvenir sheet Official First Day Cover, cancelled in Noëlville, Ontario.Stamps and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca [direct] and postal outlets across Canada.

Angel Specifications:
Characters Specifications:[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
C’est le temps des timbres de Noël et des Fêtes
Les clients peuvent orner leur courrier d’images religieuses ou profanes

OTTAWA – Les Canadiens savent que l’arrivée des timbres de Noël et des Fêtes est un bon indice que le grand jour approche. Depuis 1964, Postes Canada encourage les Canadiens à rendre leurs cartes et leurs lettres plus festives. Cette année encore, nous pouvons tous orner notre courrier de timbres présentant des images sacrées ou profanes des Fêtes.

characters souvenir sheet

L’émission de timbres de Noël de cette année s’inspire des anges qui ont joué un rôle essentiel en tant que messagers dans l’histoire de la Nativité. Conçus par Stéphane Huot et illustrés par Luc Melanson, les motifs épurés sur fond blanc évoquent un sentiment de pureté et de paix. Le timbre Permanent au tarif du régime intérieur est offert en carnets de 12. Le pli Premier Jour officiel est oblitéré à Christmas Island, en Nouvelle-Écosse.

Conçus par Larry Burke et Anna Stredulinsky de Burke & Burke, et illustrés par Geneviève Godbout, les timbres profanes de 2021 sont ornés d’adorables portraits du père Noël (tarif du régime intérieur), d’un renne (tarif des envois à destination des États-Unis) et d’un lutin (tarif du régime international). Le timbre Permanent au tarif du régime intérieur est offert en carnets de 12, tandis que les vignettes au tarif des envois à destination des États-Unis et du régime international le sont en carnets de 6. L’émission comprend également un bloc-feuillet réunissant les trois personnages, ainsi qu’un pli Premier Jour officiel du bloc-feuillet oblitéré à Noëlville, en Ontario.Le timbre et les articles de collection sont en vente sur postescanada.ca et dans les comptoirs postaux partout au pays.

Poppy (Canada 2021)

Posted on October 29, 2021 by VSC

[press release]
Stamp marks 100 years of the poppy as symbol of remembrance
Release coincides with launch of the 2021 National Poppy Campaign

OTTAWA – Canada Post released today a poignant stamp to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the official adoption of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance in Canada. The release coincides with the launch of The Royal Canadian Legion’s 2021 National Poppy* Campaign, which begins the last Friday of October each year.

Canada Post has a long history of commemorating Remembrance Day and Canada’s military history through its stamp program. The Legion’s annual campaign is a highly visible way for Canadians to honour veterans and those who have fallen in Canada’s military.

The concept behind this special stamp was not only to immortalize the crimson flower, but also offer another way to remember the more than 117,000 Canadians who died for their country.

While the poppy is distributed freely, the Legion accepts donations to the Poppy Fund. Money raised helps to provide veterans and their families with financial assistance and other support. Millions of poppies are distributed in Canada every year, raising close to $20 million annually.

About the remembrance poppy
During the First World War, the appearance of the bright red flowers on the battlefields in France and Belgium inspired Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of Guelph, Ontario, to pen the poem “In Flanders Fields” in May 1915, after he lost a friend in the Second Battle of Ypres. Moved by his words, a number of women and charities began to create poppies made of fabric as a memorial and to raise funds for veterans and families of the fallen. The Great War Veterans’ Association of Canada (the Legion’s predecessor) officially adopted the poppy as a symbol of remembrance on July 6, 1921. Canada’s first National Poppy Campaign launched later that year.

About the stamp issue
Blair Thomson of the Believe in studio designed the stamp, which was printed by Colour Innovations. The poppy’s red ink was created specially to match the crimson of the poppy, while metallic ink was used for the pinhead. A stark white background provided the contrast that makes the image pop. On the Official First Day Cover [below], the cancel features a stylized “100” to mark the poppy’s centennial as a symbol.The Remembrance Poppy issue includes a booklet of 10 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover. Both products are available here [direct link] and post offices across the country.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un timbre souligne le 100e anniversaire du coquelicot comme symbole du souvenir
Le lancement coïncide avec celui de la Campagne nationale du coquelicot de 2021

OTTAWA – Postes Canada a émis aujourd’hui un timbre émouvant pour souligner le 100e anniversaire de l’adoption officielle du coquelicot comme symbole du souvenir au Canada. L’émission coïncide avec le lancement de la Campagne nationale du coquelicot* de 2021 de la Légion royale canadienne, qui débute le dernier vendredi d’octobre de chaque année.

Postes Canada commémore depuis longtemps le jour du Souvenir et l’histoire militaire du Canada au moyen de son programme des timbres-poste. La campagne annuelle de la Légion est un moyen concret d’honorer les anciens combattants et les soldats qui sont tombés au combat.

Ce timbre spécial vise non seulement à immortaliser la fleur cramoisie, mais propose aussi une autre façon de se souvenir des plus de 117 000 Canadiens qui sont morts pour leur pays.

Bien que les coquelicots soient distribués gratuitement, la Légion accepte les dons au Fonds du coquelicot. L’argent ainsi recueilli est utilisé pour offrir une aide financière et d’autres formes de soutien aux anciens combattants et à leur famille. Des millions de coquelicots sont distribués chaque année au Canada, ce qui permet d’amasser près de 20 millions de dollars par an.

À propos du coquelicot, symbole du souvenir
Pendant la Première Guerre mondiale, le lieutenant-colonel John McCrae, originaire de Guelph, en Ontario, est interpellé par les fleurs rouges qu’il voit dans les champs de bataille de France et de Belgique. C’est cette vision qui lui inspire en mai 1915 l’écriture du poème Au champ d’honneur (adaptation française de Jean Pariseau), après la perte d’un ami durant la deuxième bataille d’Ypres. Touchées par ce poème, plusieurs femmes et organisations de bienfaisance commencent à confectionner des coquelicots commémoratifs en tissu et à les vendre afin de recueillir des fonds pour les anciens combattants et la famille des soldats morts au front. La Great War Veterans Association of Canada (maintenant la Légion royale canadienne) adopte officiellement le coquelicot comme symbole du jour du Souvenir le 6 juillet 1921. La première Campagne nationale du coquelicot est lancée plus tard la même année.

À propos de l’émission de timbre
Ce timbre a été conçu par Blair Thomson, du studio Believe in, et imprimé par Colour Innovations. L’encre rouge a été spécialement créée pour reproduire la couleur cramoisie du coquelicot et une encre métallique a été utilisée pour la tête d’épingle, tandis que l’image de coquelicot a été placée sur un fond blanc immaculé pour créer un effet de contraste. Sur le pli Premier Jour officiel [au dessous de], le cachet d’oblitération contient le nombre « 100 » stylisé en hommage au centenaire du coquelicot.L’émission Le coquelicot, symbole du souvenir – 100e anniversaire comprend un carnet de 10 timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur et un pli Premier Jour officiel. Les deux produits sont offerts ici [lien direct] et dans les bureaux de poste à l’échelle du pays.

Hydrofoil Passenger Ship “Voshod” (Ukraine 2021)

Posted on October 28, 2021 by VSC

This stamp (No. 1958) was issued October 22, 2021. It covers the cost of mailing a letter of up to 50 grams within Ukraine. The size of the stamp 52×25 mm. The 9-stamp pane measures 186×106 mm. Valerii Rudenko designed the stamp, the first day cover and the maximum card.

You can purchase this and other Ukrainian stamps at http://pm.ukrposhta.ua/nishop.php and click on the tiny British flag near the top for an English translation. The pane of stamps is 94.50 UAH (Hryvnia, about US $3.54). The FDC with the special cancellation is 17.00 UAH (64¢) or without the cancellation, 15¢) and the same prices apply to the maximum card.

Digi Art (Netherlands 2021)

Posted on October 28, 2021 by VSC

Appearance: Five different personal stamps marked ‘Nederland 1’, the denomination for post weighing up to 20g sent to an address within the Netherlands
Date of issue: 28 October 2021
Item number: 810060
Design: stamps Tim Ottens (Rijswijk), sheet edge Sandra Smulders (Gouda)With the Digi Art issue, PostNL is the first postal company in the world to issue a stamp sheet with a design created by a computer algorithm. The Digi Art stamp sheet features five different personal stamps that were designed by an algorithm based on a collection of around 1500 stamps from the period from 1852 to 1920. The personal stamps are marked ‘Nederland 1’, the denomination for post weighing up to 20g sent to an address within the Netherlands.

Background:
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that mimic human intelligence. These AI systems are capable of extrapolating large amounts of data, making new decisions and choices, and coming up with new interpretations. To achieve this, the computer systems use algorithms – mathematical formulas that are able to make independent decisions based on data or indicators – and learn from them. The developments in artificial intelligence are coming thick and fast. It is used in numerous applications, from face recognition on smartphones and self-driving cars to smart thermostats and deep fakes – digitally manipulated images, sounds and texts. Within AI there is a separate discipline called generative art, which is when a computer algorithm creates an original work of art or design. And this is exactly what was used for PostNL’s Digi Art stamp issue.

Design:
The stamp Digi Art stamp sheet features five postage stamps in five different designs. The five stamps feature five unique computer-generated designs against a dark background. At first glance, the five stamps look as if they have been issued before, but appearances can be deceiving. They may look like classic stamps, but they are not. All the elements are familiar, such as a supporting picture in the centre with a frame around it, a strip at the bottom for text, decorations in the corners and a frame with perforations… and yet, they are different from the familiar stamps from the 1852-1920 period.

The sheet edge, which was designed by graphic designer Sandra Smulders, features ten old Dutch stamps. From left to right, these are: King Willem III 5 cents (1864), Numeral stamp ½ cent (1876), Queen Wilhelmina 20 cents (1899), King Willem III 7½ cents (1872), Postal order stamp 4 guilders (1884), Numeral stamp 2 cents (1876), Numeral stamp 1½ cents (1899), Jubilee stamp 100 years of independence 12½ cents (1913), Coronation stamp Queen Wilhelmina 1 guilder(1898) and Michiel de Ruyter 1 cent (1907).

The 10 stamps are connected to the personal stamps with vertical lines via a horizontal elongated wave. The lines indicate the direction that the old stamps have travelled through the algorithm – represented by the wave – to form the new stamps. The background colour is derived from the personal stamp in the centre. The dark corners suggest depth. The gradient returns in the background of the stamps. In between the stamps, there are six individual letters in binary code (ones and zeros). The ones and zeros have different hues to symbolise the process of their creation.

Typography:
The font used for the denomination 1 and Nederland was designed in 2018 by font designer Martin Majoor from Arnhem. Pirulen Bold is used for the typography of the title, Pirulen Book for the binary code and Pirulen Light for the remaining text. All these fonts were designed in 2016 by Raymond Larabie of Typodermic Fonts in Nagoya, Japan.

Designer:
The Digi Art personal stamps are the brainchild of Tim Ottens, data scientist with the Analytics & Decision Support team at PostNL. Ottens introduced the idea during a hack-time project: time he and his colleagues were allowed to spend on innovations not directly related to their own job. The result was so popular and the stamp colleagues at PostNL were so enthusiastic, that they decided to issue the Digi Art stamp sheet. During the creation process, Ottens worked together with Ying Yu, a data engineer at PostNL, to teach the computer algorithm to design new stamps.

Feedback
To explain how the algorithm works in practice, Ottens draws a comparison with the learning process of a real artist or designer. ‘Their designs are based on existing works of art, designs and impressions on the one hand and on feedback from others on the other. Generative art, so when an algorithm creates a design, works pretty much the same way. The algorithm also has to learn from existing works of art and designs plus feedback. To accomplish this, we need a considerable amount of data. In this case, we fed the algorithm a huge collection of images of old stamps. That’s what we call a dataset. When you have a good dataset, you get a balance between diversity and homogeneity. In other words, the stamps used as input for the algorithm must be different, but at the same time they should not be too different. That is why we focused on the more classic stamps from the period from 1852 to 1920.’

Marked stamps
Ottens started with a total dataset of 4500 different stamps from dozens of countries to feed the algorithm. This was whittled down to 1500 stamps over time. That is because the process ran across quite a number of obstacles. Ottens: ‘Images of marked stamps, for example. The algorithm doesn’t realise that it is a mark, so it teaches itself to create images with black splodges. So we removed all the marked stamps from the dataset.’

Noses
The next obstacle was the fact that many stamps feature faces. So when an algorithm creates new images based on these, you may end up with a face with two noses or no nose. ‘For an algorithm, this is only a small deviation, but we humans immediately notice that something is not right,’ says Ottens. ‘That is why we filtered all the stamps featuring faces from the dataset. And then there was the problem that the quality of some of the images just wasn’t adequate. We removed these by hand or adapted them to determine the final dataset. Sometimes, we offered the same stamps to the algorithm again, but in a different colour, or with a small piece cut off. Because the more variation you have in a dataset, the better the final result will be.’

Millions of evaluations
Ottens and Yu adapted open-source software to design the Digi Art stamps. This specific algorithm is able to learn unsupervised. This means that the algorithm discovers the structure of the input itself and does not receive any commands relating to the desired output. In practice, there are two algorithms: the first is called the ‘generator’, the second the ‘discriminator’. Ottens: ‘The first algorithm functions as an artist who comes up with images from scratch. The second algorithm provides feedback by analysing the difference between the invented images and real stamps and passing this on to the other algorithm. By the way, the generator doesn’t just create a single image, it produces lots of them. That does take some computational time, the algorithms create and evaluate images millions of times.’

Human assessment
Ottens and Yu regularly checked a sample of the generated stamp designs. Ottens: ‘At first it didn’t look like anything, then slowly we saw outlines of stamps emerging. It started with the perforations and other recurring elements. During each assessment we tinkered with the program to give the algorithm a little push in the right direction. At some point we put together a longlist of the results and, together with our stamp colleagues, chose a number of designs. We didn’t adjust them any further, even the colours were picked by the algorithm. I am very happy with the final result, which far exceeded my expectations. Especially because sometimes unexpected details emerged. Like the double perforation on the centre stamp, for example. I couldn’t have come up with that myself.’

About the designers
Tim Ottens (Winterswijk, 1989) studied business economics, marketing intelligence and marketing management at the University of Groningen from 2010 to 2015. After graduating, he worked as a data-analyst at T-Mobile for four years. In 2019, he moved to PostNL, where he is now a senior data scientist responsible for projects related to predictive modelling and artificial intelligence. He applies his knowledge and experience to, for example, the personalisation of the PostNL app. He also develops models for the prediction of package volumes and the time lapsed between the pre-advice and the actual delivery of the packages.

Sandra Smulders (The Hague, 1974) studied advertising and presentation design at Nimeto Utrecht from 1991 to 1995, specialising in graphic design. She started the Vormgoed agency in Gouda in 2007 as a graphic designer and art director. Smulders specialises in designing logos and corporate styles and further developing the associated means of communication. For PostNL Smulders also designed the Stamp Day 2021 and 2020 stamp sheets, the Back to the 20th Century and Trains & Journeys (2019) stamp series, the 2018 Children’s Welfare Stamps, the stamp series celebrating 50 years of the Daily Fable (2018) and the 25 years of Fokke & Sukke (2018) stamp series.

The stamps are available while stocks last at www.postnl.nl/bijzondere-postzegels and can be ordered by telephone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number +31 (0)88 868 99 00. The validity period is indefinite.

Value:
The denomination on these stamps is ‘1’, the denomination for items weighing up to 20 g destined for delivery in the Netherlands.

Technical Specifications:
Postage stamp dimensions: 30 x 40mm
Appearance: five different personal stamps marked ‘Nederland 1’, the : denomination for post weighing up to 20g sent to an address within the Netherlands
Print run: 8,000 per issue
Item number: 810060
Design: stamps Tim Ottens (Rijswijk), sheet edge Sandra Smulders (Gouda):

Valour Road (Canada 2021)

Posted on October 22, 2021 by VSC

[press release]
Canada Post honours the soldiers of Valour Road
Stamp pays tribute to three Victoria Cross recipients who lived on Winnipeg’s Pine Street

WINNIPEG – Canada Post issued a new stamp today in memory of three soldiers from Winnipeg’s Pine Street, all of whom were awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross for their bravery and sacrifice in the First World War.

Bestowed on fewer than 100 Canadians since 1856, the Victoria Cross is the Commonwealth’s highest military decoration for bravery in combat. Pine Street, where these three men once lived, was renamed Valour Road in 1925, in dedication to their courage and sacrifices in the First World War.

Corporal Lionel (Leo) Clarke, VC, and a small section of infantry were assigned to clear a German trench line near Pozières, France, during the Battle of the Somme. After every man but Clarke was killed or severely wounded in the operation, Clarke single-handedly held off a German counterattack, despite a bayonet wound to his leg.

Company Sergeant Major Frederick William Hall, VC, attempted to rescue a wounded soldier less than 15 metres outside a trench during the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915. Heavy machine-gun fire deterred his first attempt, but he tried again, reaching his comrade. As Hall started to carry him back to safety, both were killed.

Lieutenant Robert Shankland, VC, DCM, won a strategic foothold on a ridge after his platoon and supporting soldiers were reduced to a remnant during the 1917 Battle of Passchendaele. Shankland led the surviving force against a fierce counterattack, then made his way through thick mud and shelling to the battalion headquarters to report on the enemy position.

The soldiers of Valour Road symbolize all those who served in the First World War – a horrific conflict that claimed roughly 61,000 Canadian lives – and the selflessness of all Canadian veterans and service members.

[Pictures of the three Official FDCs follow the French press release.]

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Postes Canada rend hommage aux soldats de Valour Road
Un timbre honore trois récipiendaires de la Croix de Victoria qui ont tous vécu sur la rue Pine à Winnipeg

WINNIPEG – Postes Canada a émis aujourd’hui un nouveau timbre en mémoire de trois soldats canadiens qui ont, à différentes époques, habité sur la rue Pine à Winnipeg. Véritables héros, ils ont été décorés de la prestigieuse Croix de Victoria pour leur courage et leur sacrifice durant la Première Guerre mondiale.

Décernée à moins de 100 Canadiens depuis 1856, la Croix de Victoria est la plus haute distinction britannique pour acte de bravoure au combat. En 1925, la rue Pine, où les trois hommes ont déjà vécu, a été renommée Valour Road (chemin de la bravoure) en leur honneur.

Au cours de la bataille de la Somme, le caporal Lionel (Leo) Clarke, V.C. , et une petite section d’infanterie doivent dégager une tranchée allemande près de la ville de Pozières, en France. Tous les hommes, sauf Leo Clarke, sont tués ou gravement blessés durant l’opération. Malgré une blessure à la jambe infligée par la baïonnette d’un ennemi, le soldat parvient seul à repousser les Allemands.

Le sergent-major de compagnie Frederick William Hall, V.C. , tente de secourir un soldat blessé à moins de 15 mètres d’une tranchée au cours de la deuxième bataille d’Ypres en 1915. Les tirs très intenses des Allemands le faisant d’abord reculer, il parvient à se rendre jusqu’à l’homme à la deuxième tentative, mais ils sont tous deux atteints mortellement alors que le sergent-major de compagnie soulève le soldat pour le ramener en lieu sûr.

Durant la bataille de Passchendaele en 1917, le lieutenant Robert Shankland, V.C., DCM, son peloton et d’autres soldats parviennent à gagner une partie de l’éperon de Bellevue, un endroit stratégique. Sa force largement réduite, il pousse les survivants à mener une contre-attaque intense, puis se fraye un chemin dans la boue jusqu’au quartier général du bataillon pour rapporter la position des Allemands.

Les soldats de Valour Road représentent le sacrifice consenti durant la Première Guerre mondiale – un conflit horrible qui a coûté la vie à environ 61 000 Canadiens – et le dévouem.

Canadian Horse Artillery envelope (Canada 2021)

Posted on October 13, 2021 by VSC

From Details magazine:

“A” and “B” Batteries, 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery envelope

The formation of “A” and “B” Batteries as garrison artillery and schools of gunnery in Kingston and Quebec City in 1871 marked a watershed in Canadian military history. The first full-time or regular elements of the post-Confederation Canadian army, they continue to serve proudly as sub-units of 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery – part of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.

Diwali (Canada 2021)

Posted on October 13, 2021 by VSC

Issue date:19 October

Updated October 19th:
[press release]
Intricate pattern on new Diwali stamp welcomes good fortune

VANCOUVER – Today, Canada Post issued a new commemorative stamp to herald the arrival of Diwali – one of the largest and most widely celebrated festivals in India. Observed by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and others around the world, the five-day celebration falls on November 4 this year.

About the festival
A time to reflect, overcome negativity, and spread light and love, Diwali is associated with a number of traditions, many of them focused on the triumph of good over evil. Small clay oil lamps called diyas are often lit in rows in homes and temples or set adrift on rivers, fireworks illuminate the sky, and celebrants exchange gifts and donate to those in need.

Rangolis are also an important part of the festival. Drawn on floors in entranceways, living rooms and courtyards using flower petals, coloured sand and other materials, these intricate patterns are intended to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune, into celebrants’ homes.

About the stamp issue
Designer Seung Jai Paek layered the Rangoli pattern featured on this stamp with meaning. A lotus flower, symbolic of new beginnings, forms both the outline and inset; a ring of heart-shaped diyas expresses love and gratitude; and the Indian spice box (called a masala dabba) in the centre of the design alludes to the food shared during Diwali. Printed by Lowe-Martin, the stamp issue includes a booklet of 10 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover.

booklet pane

The Diwali stamps and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and post offices across Canada starting today.

OFDC

en Francais:
Le motif élaboré du nouveau timbre célébrant Diwali invite à la bonne fortune

VANCOUVER – Aujourd’hui, Postes Canada a émis un nouveau timbre commémoratif pour souligner l’arrivée de Diwali, l’une des fêtes les plus importantes et les plus célébrées en Inde. Observée par les hindous, les bouddhistes, les jaïns, les sikhs et d’autres communautés dans le monde, la célébration de cinq jours commencera le 4 novembre cette année.

À propos de Diwali
Associée à bon nombre de traditions, dont plusieurs célèbrent le triomphe du bien sur le mal, Diwali est l’occasion de réfléchir, de surmonter la négativité et de remplir le monde de lumière et d’amour. De petites lampes à l’huile, appelées diyas, sont souvent allumées en rangées dans les maisons et les temples ou mises à la rivière, pendant que des feux d’artifice illuminent le ciel et que les gens échangent des cadeaux et font des dons aux personnes dans le besoin.

Les rangolis sont aussi un aspect important des célébrations. Tracés au sol dans les entrées, les salons et les cours à l’aide de pétales de fleurs, de sable coloré ou autre, ces motifs élaborés sont créés dans l’intention d’inviter Lakshmi, la déesse de la bonne fortune, dans les maisons des fidèles.

À propos du timbre
Le designer Seung Jai Paek a savamment superposé des motifs pour créer le rangoli illustré sur ce timbre. La fleur de lotus, qui symbolise les nouveaux débuts, forme le contour et l’intérieur; le cercle de diyas en forme de cœur représente l’amour et la gratitude; et la boîte à épices indiennes (appelée masala dabba), au centre du motif, rappelle le partage de nourriture lors des festins de Diwali. Imprimée par Lowe-Martin, cette émission comprend un carnet de 10 timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur et un pli Premier Jour officiel.

booklet pane

Le timbre et l’article de collection sur Diwali sont en vente dès aujourd’hui à postescanada.ca et dans les bureaux de poste partout au pays.

OFDC

From Details magazine:

Layers of symbolism are woven into the eye-catching Rangoli pattern on this stamp heralding the arrival of Diwali on November 4. A time to reflect, overcome negativity, and spread light and love, the five-day festival is observed by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and others around the world.

Rangolis are an important part of the celebrations. Drawn on floors in entranceways, living rooms and courtyards using flower petals, coloured sand and other materials, these temporary works of art are traditionally created to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune, into celebrants’ homes.

Seung Jai Paek studied hundreds of Rangolis before devising this clever concept to convey the spirit of Diwali. A lotus flower, symbolic of new beginnings, forms both the outline and inset of the Rangoli. A ring of heart-shaped lamps or diyas, commonly lit during the festival, expresses love and gratitude. In the centre, an Indian spice box called a masala dabba alludes to the food shared during Diwali. The rich golds in the design evoke a sense of wealth, while the stream of light in the background represents the gods illuminating the path to peace and prosperity.

Specifications:

Rugby Football Union (UK 2021)

Posted on October 6, 2021 by VSC

[press release]
Royal Mail Reveal Images of Eight New Stamps That Celebrate the 150th Anniversaries of the Formation of the Rugby Football Union and the First International Match Between England and Scotland In 1871

Issue date: 19 October

- The dynamic images feature moments from iconic men’s and women’s rugby union matches for all four Home Nations over the past 50 years
- Featured on one of the stamps is Vicky Macqueen, MBE – who won 34 caps for England – who is pictured making the tackle on Wales’ Melissa Berry
- Rugby legends from the men’s and women’s game feature on the stamps including: JPR Williams; Emily Scarratt; Sophie Spence; Roy Laidlaw; Kim Littlejohn; Simon Geoghegan; Melissa Berry; and Jonny Wilkinson
- Images shown on the stamps are from:
  - Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, 2014
  - Five Nations Championship, 1970
  - Women’s Six Nations Championship, 2015
  - Five Nations Championship, 1984
  - Women’s Home Nations Championship, 1998
  - Five Nations Championship, 1994
  - Women’s Six Nations Championship, 2009
  - Rugby World Cup Final, 2003
- Royal Mail worked closely with all four Home Nations’ governing bodies on the stamp issue
- The full set of eight stamps, available in a Presentation Pack, retails at £12.40. The stamps and a range of collectible products are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/rugbyunion and go on general sale from 19 October

Royal Mail has revealed images of eight stamps that celebrate the 150th anniversaries of the formation of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the first international match between England and Scotland in 1871.

Rugby legends from the men’s and women’s game feature on the stamps including: JPR Williams; Emily Scarratt; Sophie Spence; Roy Laidlaw; Kim Littlejohn; Simon Geoghegan; Melissa Berry; and Jonny Wilkinson.

Images shown on the stamps are from:

- - Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, 2014
  - Five Nations Championship, 1970
  - Six Nations Championship, 2015
  - Five Nations Championship, 1984
  - Women’s Home Nations Championship, 1998
  - Five Nations Championship, 1994
  - Women’s Six Nations Championship, 2009
  - Rugby World Cup Final, 2003

Also featured on one of the stamps is Vicky Macqueen, MBE – who won 34 caps for England – who is pictured making the tackle on Wales’ Melissa Berry during a match in the 2009 Women’s Six Nations Championship.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, said: “The sport of rugby continues to evolve today and is becoming an ever more inclusive sport – with almost three million women players across the world – increased diversity and inclusivity has seen the culture of the game change, both on and off the field. These stamps are a fitting way to mark Rugby Union’s long and extraordinary history.”

Royal Mail worked closely with all four Rugby Union Home Nations’ governing bodies on selecting the images to be included in the stamp issue.

The full set of eight stamps, available in a Presentation Pack, retails at £12.40. The stamps and a range of collectible products are available to pre-order from today (5 October) at www.royalmail.com/rugbyunion and go on general sale from 19 October.

Rugby Football Union
The popularity of the ‘rugby’ style of football and corresponding need for universal laws saw 21 English clubs meet in London on 26 January 1871 to form the Rugby Football Union. The first set of laws was approved later that year, not long after England met Scotland’s challenge in the first rugby international. England have won what is now the Six Nations Championship 29 times outright, with ten shared victories, and the Grand Slam (beating every other nation in the competition) 13 times. England are the only northern hemisphere team to have won the World Cup, beating Australia in 2003.

First International
While England and Scotland had already unofficially met playing ‘football’ rules, most ‘football’ clubs north of the border played a game far more similar to modern rugby and were determined to test national sporting strengths along these lines. On 27 March 1871, the countries met at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, and after an epic contest, Scotland prevailed by one goal to nil. Angus Buchanan scored the crucial ‘try’ (grounding the ball over the opponents’ goal line), which afforded William Cross the chance to kick the ball over the crossbar and between the posts – at the time, the only way to score a point.

The Women’s Game
No area of rugby union has seen greater growth in recent years, so much so that few clubs in countries where the sport is long established do not now have strong women’s sections, while the proportion of women playing is noticeably high in countries in which the sport is becoming established. The first Women’s Home Nations Championship was staged in 1996 and the first official Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1998: New Zealand, due to host the next World Cup in 2022, have been world champions five times, England twice and the United States once. There are now approaching three million female players across the world.

Scottish Rugby Union
Founded in 1873 and based since 1925 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, the SRU played a leading role in the development of the modern game and is responsible for all Scotland’s national sides, as well as the country’s domestic leagues and competitions. Having beaten England in the first international played, Scotland have gone on to win what is now the Six Nations Championship 15 times outright and have shared the title nine times. They have won the Grand Slam three times, most recently in 1990, and competed in every World Cup, with a best-placed finish of fourth.

Welsh Rugby Union
Since the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1881, the nation has produced some of the world’s finest players. The national side was arguably the best in the world in the years running up to the First World War, and again in the 1970s. Wales have won what is now the Six Nations Championship 28 times outright, with 12 shared victories, and the Grand Slam (beating every other country) on 12 occasions, most recently in 2019. They have competed in every World Cup, reaching the semi-finals three times.

Irish Rugby Football Union
Ireland played their first international against England in 1875, four years before the founding of the Irish Rugby Football Union, which manages the sport across the entire sland. Ireland, along with Scotland and Wales, were founding members of the Home Nations Championship, the predecessor of the Six Nations Championship, which they have won 14 times outright, with nine shared titles. They have also won three Grand Slams and in recent years have become one of the strongest teams in world rugby, combining vigour and verve with physicality and commitment. Ireland have competed in all nine World Cup tournaments and missed out on the quarter finals on two occasions.

Stamp-By-Stamp:

Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, 2014
After defeat in three successive finals, England win the World Cup. Tries from Emily Scarratt (pictured, with ball) and Danielle Waterman secure victory.

Five Nations Championship, 1970
A victory marking the start of a glorious era in Welsh rugby for a side featuring greats like JPR Williams (pictured), Gareth Edwards and Mervyn Davies.

Women’s Six Nations Championship, 2015
Needing to win to secure the title, a rampant Ireland – with lock Sophie Spence (pictured) to the fore – ran in 11 tries to become champions.

Five Nations Championship, 1984
Scrum-half Roy Laidlaw (pictured, with ball) scored two tries as Scotland became outright winners of the Five Nations Championship for the first time since 1938.

Women’s Home Nations Championship, 1998
Led by Kim Littlejohn (pictured, far left), Scotland complete a five-year journey from novices to best team in Europe with a win that boosted the sport’s status in the country.

Five Nations Championship, 1994
Ireland upset the odds to win at Twickenham for the first time in 12 years – a brilliant try by Simon Geoghegan (pictured) inspiring a generation of outstanding players.

Women’s Six Nations Championship, 2009
Non Evans kicks the winning penalty in the final minute as Wales, captained by Melissa Berry (pictured), beat England for the first time and win the Triple Crown.

Rugby World Cup Final, 2003 (above)
Jason Robinson’s try and five successful kicks from Jonny Wilkinson (pictured) see England become the first northern hemisphere country to win the World Cup.

Children’s Welfare: Mr Bumble and Tom Puss (Netherlands 2021)

Posted on October 2, 2021 by VSC

[press release]
Issue: 2021 Children’s Welfare Stamps
Date of issue: 11 October 2021
Appearance: sheetlet of five special stamps in five different designs, marked with ‘1’, the denomination for mail up to 20 g in weight destined for delivery in the Netherlands, with a € 0.48 surcharge
Item number: 410960
Illustrations: Tim Artz, Nijmegen
Design: Ubald Seveke, Amsterdam

On 11 October 2021, PostNL will issue a new stamp sheetlet with Children’s Welfare Stamps marked with ‘1’ for destinations within the Netherlands. The five stamps are dedicated to the 80th birthday of Tom Puss. Since 1924, PostNL has been issuing Children’s Welfare Stamps to raise money for projects aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable children. This is achieved by adding a € 0.48 surcharge to each stamp. The proceeds from all surcharges will be used for projects developed by the independent Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland foundation. The foundation is committed to giving children in both the Netherlands and in other countries a chance of a better life. To make this aid possible, the foundation organises, among other things, the Children’s Welfare Stamps campaign. The campaign has been listed in the Dutch National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2017.

The Children’s Welfare Stamps campaign aims to offer help to children who do not have a safe home. This year, more than 100,000 pupils from the last two years of primary schools will be taking orders for the Children’s Welfare Stamps from 29 September up to and including 6 October. Because of corona, new ways of presenting the stamps have been devised. For example, children can send personal video messages. With a special sales box and order forms through the letterbox, it is also possible to keep the necessary distance at the door. PostNL will deliver all orders from 11 October. The proceeds from the 2020 campaign amounted to 7.6 million Euro.

In 1941, now 80 years ago, the first of 177 stories conceived by Marten Toonder (1912-2005) was published. The stories, in which Tom Puss and his friend Olivier B. Bumble experience countless adventures, together form the classic Bumble saga. For nearly 60 years, Tom Puss appeared in many Dutch newspapers almost every day. The daily comic took the form of a text strip in black and white, with the text underneath the pictures. From 1955, Tom Puss also appeared in the weekly magazine Donald Duck, as a balloon comic in colour. The success of the comic led to the creation of the Toonder Studios where other comics such as Panda, Kappie and King Hollewijn were made as well. In addition to the comic department, there was a successful animation department. The Toonder Studios were closed in 2002, but Marten Toonder’s work continues. The copyright on Marten Toonder’s works is vested in the Stichting Het Toonder Auteursrecht foundation; the business activities have been incorporated in the Toonder Company, and the licences are managed by Rubinstein publishing company.

Stamps about Tom Puss and Olivier B. Bumble were already published at an earlier time, such as, for example, the stamps Tom Puss 75 years (design Frank Janse) in 2016, and the Comic Stamps (design Julius Vermeulen) in 1996.

Pascal de Smit, Director of Stichting Kinderpostzegels: “As with children’s stamps, millions of children have grown up with the adventures of Mr. Olivier B. Bumble and Tom Puss. We are therefore pleased and proud that the comic heroes can be seen on this year’s children’s stamps and are celebrating their 80th anniversary with us. After all this time, their stories are still alive and connected to current issues.”

Design
The Children’s Welfare Stamps 2021 feature various characters from the adventures of Mr Bumble and Tom Puss. The sheetlet includes four equally sized stamps and one double-sized stamp in the middle. On the large stamp, Tom Puss and Mr Bumble walk side by side along a sandy path. The smaller stamps are reserved for other characters from the adventures of Tom Puss: Doddeltje, Wammes Waggel, the butler Joost, and the Marquis de Canteclaer. Together, the five stamps show a large scene in the open air. To the left and right, the illustration is flanked by two large trees. Near the left tree, Doddeltje is picking mushrooms, and between the roots of the right tree, Wammes is playing his accordion. The stamp with Joost shows Bommelstein Castle. On the stamp with the Marquis, the Dark Trees Woods can be seen in the distance. The illustration continues on the edge of the sheet, which also features the logos of Tom Puss 80 years, the Children’s Welfare Stamps campaign, and PostNL.

For the typography of the texts, the Antique Olive (1958, Roger Excoffon) and the Comic Sans (1994, Vincent Connare) were used.

The illustration on the Children’s Welfare Stamps 2021 was made by comic strip artist Tim Artz. He became acquainted with Mr Bumble and Tom Puss at a very young age. “I was four or five years old when I saw the film If you know what I mean on television. My parents still have drawings that I made of Bommelstein Castle, Tom Puss, and the little dragon. Every year I would check the TV guide to see if it was being broadcast again. Until I got the film on video at the feast of Saint Nicholas. This is how my love of drawing was born. And of Marten Toonder’s work. I now also draw for Disney and previously for Woezel and Pip and Ducktales, but everything started with Mr Bumble and Tom Puss. First with the film, then with the balloon strips in Donald Duck and, when I was about eight years old, with the giant pocket books published by De Bezige Bij. For me, Tom Puss is the greatest comic hero in the Netherlands. Toonder was leading because of his beautiful drawings with a lot of attention for the atmosphere and the characters. I wanted that too.”

Young Artz published his drawings on Internet forums. His talent was quickly recognised; first by Disney, later by the Toonder Company. Artz: “In 2015, the Toonder Company was looking for illustrators for individual illustrations. That’s how I got into it. Recently, it has been very busy because of the celebration of Tom Puss’ 80th birthday. For example, I worked on the new comic book Tom Puss and the time-turner for two years. The story for this book had already been written before I was born. It was very special. I also made the illustrations for a new Golden Booklet. And for the stamps, of course.”

In recent years, Artz has become ever more familiar with Toonder’s way of drawing. “Obviously, you start by copying,” he says. “It becomes more difficult when you want to put the characters in different situations and poses. I have practised endlessly. I also learned from other illustrators with Toonder experience. I looked at the work of Piet Wijn for inspiration, and also that of Wil Raymakers and Henrieke Goorhuis. It is often about very subtle details. Moreover, Toonder’s characters act much more than the average comic character. That makes it extra difficult.”

Artz was asked to create a large scene for the children’s stamps, composed of five smaller scenes for each stamp. Furthermore, he was given complete freedom to choose the characters and the scenery. “I put the big stamp right in the middle, with Mr Bumble and Tom Puss on it together. This was a logical choice. I have not thought too long about the other characters either. Doddeltje and Joost are the closest to the main characters, and Wammes Waggel is one of my personal favourites. I hesitated a little longer about De Canteclaer. Hocus P. Pas and Kwetal were also good candidates. But the marquis is very popular with the fans. I often notice that at signing sessions. I also think it’s a great character myself.”

In the scene devised by Artz, Mr Bumble and Tom Puss walk side by side. The butler Joost follows with the picnic basket, Doddeltje is picking mushrooms. Wammes provides the music, and the marquis watches from a distance, disapproving as always. “They are having a picnic for Tom Puss’ birthday,” says Artz. “Other than that, there is no big story attached to it. Doddeltje picks mushrooms because the children’s stamps come out in the autumn. That is also why the leaves on the left tree are yellow. The biggest puzzle was to give the individual scenes a natural place within the individual stamps. In the drawing I have added some difference in height for the characters who are further away, like Joost and the marquis. Otherwise they would be too small on the stamp. And Wammes’ feet are lying comfortably on a stone because that makes the typography stand out better.”

Between 1957 and 1966, stories about Mr Bumble and Tom Puss appeared in Revue weekly magazine. The accompanying drawings were given their own treatment with special colouring. Artz used the atmosphere of these Revue comics as inspiration for his illustration on the children’s stamps, after he had studied a Golden Booklet to learn about this style. “Many fans of Mr Bumble and Tom Puss consider the stories in Revue to be the most beautiful colour work that has come out of the Toonder studios. So do I. It has a picturesque appearance. You can see this in the trees, for example. These are real Toonder trees: large, gnarled, and twisted. They almost seem like characters. I also wanted to keep it light and friendly. Fresh and cheerful. Precisely because they are children’s stamps.”

Graphic designer Ubald Seveke from Amsterdam was responsible for the design of the Children’s Welfare Stamps 2021. Seveke is familiar with the world of illustrations and comics. For example, he has designed many books for Rubinstein publishers with Dick Bruna’s Miffy in the leading role. Seveke also devised the logo of Puss 80 years, commissioned by the Toonder Company.

More about Marten Toonder
In the Toonder Studios, Marten Toonder (1912-2005) liked working on the newspaper comic about Tom Puss and Olivier B. Bumble best. After moving to Ireland in 1965, Toonder worked with renewed energy on the comic, which gradually developed from a children’s comic into a literary phenomenon. Via the literary giant pocket books published by De Bezige Bij, the comic found its way to an adult audience. On the occasion of Tom Puss’ 80th birthday, a new adventure was published in comic book form this year, The time-turner. An adaptation of the balloon comic book The blowing spirit was also published as a Golden Booklet. This year, shoe manufacturer Van Bommel (Mr Bumble’s Dutch namesake) is selling special Bommel shoes and, in a few years’ time, an indoor amusement park will arise in the Achterhoek region under the name Bommel world.

More about Children’s Welfare Stamps
Children’s Welfare Stamps were first issued in 1924 to give children orphaned due to the Spanish flu a safe home. The rich history shows many milestones. In 1948, children started selling stamps from door to door for the very first time. Since then, many princes and princesses have been depicted on the stamps, and major organisations and projects such as the Children’s helpline were established thanks to the money raised by the Children’s Welfare Stamps campaign. Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland is still committed to supporting children who live in an unsafe home environment. Projects such as Huisje Boompje Beestje and the Warm Welcome Bag help children feel at home in shelters for the homeless and for women.

More about the theme: Give more power
The corona crisis has had a profound effect on the lives of all 1.5 million primary school pupils in the Netherlands. The long-term consequences of the abrupt closing of schools and loss of social contacts are slowly becoming apparent. Reports of domestic violence are increasing in number, and more children are affected by poverty. This year, more than ever before, children’s requests for help are about emotional problems such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Every child has been affected by the consequences of the corona measures. As a result, every child has become vulnerable. The proceeds of the Children’s Welfare Stamps campaign go to projects that help children develop more resilience, so that they are better able to cope with these times of crisis.

Sale/Validity
Pupils from the last two years of primary schools will be taking orders for the Children’s Welfare Stamps from 29 September up to and including 6 October 2021. While stocks last, the stamps are available at Bruna as well as via www.postnl.nl/bijzondere-postzegels and on the Stichting Kinderpostzegels Nederland website. The stamps can also be ordered by phone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number +31 (0)88 868 99 00. The validity period is indefinite.

The denomination on these stamps is ‘1’, the denomination for items weighing up to 20 g destined for delivery in the Netherlands.

Technical Details
Stamp size: 4 stamps measuring 36 x 25 mm and 1 stamp measuring 36 x 50 mm:
Sheet size: 144 x 75 mm
Paper: normal with phosphor print
Glue: synthetic
Printing technique: offset
Printing colours: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black
Print run: 1,232,000 sheets
Format: sheet of 5 stamps in 5 different designs
Illustration: Tim Artz, Nijmegen
Design: Ubald Seveke, Amsterdam
Printing company: Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé B.V., Haarlem
Item number: 410960

Copyright
© 2021 Koninklijke PostNL BV
Illustration © Stichting Het Toonder Auteursrecht, licensed by Rubin

Editorial Cartoonists (Canada 2021)

Posted on September 27, 2021 by VSC

Updated October 8th:
[press release]
Canada Post stamp honours editorial cartoonist Bruce MacKinnon
One of five cartoonists being recognized with a stamp, his vast body of work displays wide range from impish cheek to deep empathy

HALIFAX – Canada Post today unveiled a stamp paying tribute to Bruce MacKinnon of The Chronicle Herald (Halifax), one of the country’s most thoughtful, talented and respected editorial cartoonists.

MacKinnon had his first editorial cartoon published in his hometown weekly paper in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, when he was just 14. After he drew weekly cartoons for the Herald, the paper hired him full time in 1986. Since then, he has drawn roughly 8,000 cartoons – but it is their quality that has won him numerous accolades.

His deeply touching tribute to a reservist killed at the National War Memorial was shared around the country and the world, as was his cartoon following the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018. On such dark days, he reflects the gravity of the situation in a way that he calls “subtle and nuanced.”

MacKinnon has won 21 Atlantic Journalism Awards, six National Newspaper Awards for editorial cartooning (and a seventh, the inaugural Journalist of the Year award) and the World Press Freedom International Editorial Cartoon Competition. The citation for his appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2016 describes him as “one of Canada’s most skilled, empathetic and provocative editorial cartoonists.”

More here

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un timbre de Postes Canada rend hommage au caricaturiste de presse Bruce MacKinnon
L’un des cinq caricaturistes à l’honneur dans cette émission, ses œuvres commentent l’actualité avec humour et aussi avec une grande empathie

HALIFAX – Postes Canada a dévoilé aujourd’hui un timbre rendant hommage à Bruce MacKinnon. Caricaturiste de presse pour leChronicle Herald d’Halifax, il est reconnu comme l’un des plus réfléchis, talentueux et respectés au pays.

Bruce MacKinnon n’a que 14 ans lorsqu’il publie sa première caricature dans l’hebdomadaire de sa ville natale d’Antigonish, en Nouvelle-Écosse. Après qu’il ait réalisé des caricatures hebdomadaires pour le Herald, le quotidien l’embauche à temps plein en 1986. Depuis, il a produit environ 8 000 illustrations. Au delà de la quantité, c’est la qualité de ses œuvres qui lui rapporte de nombreuses distinctions.

Son hommage profondément touchant à un réserviste tué au Monument commémoratif de guerre du Canada a fait le tour du monde, tout comme son illustration à la suite de l’accident impliquant un autobus des Broncos de Humboldt en 2018. Durant ces moments difficiles, il souligne l’importance d’illustrer le sérieux d’une situation « avec sensibilité et sobriété ».

Au fil de sa brillante carrière, le caricaturiste remporte sept fois le Concours canadien de journalisme (dont le premier prix Journaliste de l’année), 21 Prix du journalisme de l’Atlantique et le Concours international de dessin pour la liberté de la presse. On le nomme membre de l’Ordre du Canada en 2016. La citation le décrit comme « l’un des caricaturistes de presse les plus compétents, empathiques et provocateurs du Canada ».

Lire la suite ici

Updated October 7th:
[press release]
Canada Post stamp honours editorial cartoonist Duncan Macpherson
Macpherson, the first editorial cartoonist invested into the Order of Canada, is one of five cartoonists being recognized for their contributions to Canadian journalism, humour and art

TORONTO – Canada Post today unveiled a stamp paying tribute to Duncan Macpherson (1924-93), who is widely considered one of the most influential cartoonists in Canada.

An editorial cartoonist for the Toronto Star for more than three decades, Duncan Macpherson drew witty cartoons that challenged what he called “wrongness” on behalf of everyday Canadians. Macpherson also helped reshape the profession for a generation of cartoonists by being the first to hire an agent to negotiate his salary and by pushing for editorial independence. Sometimes, his cartoons opposed the editorial stance of his own newspaper.

“Having dad honoured in this way revives his memory and his name. I’m so proud of his achievements,” says his son, Ian Macpherson. “For me personally, this rediscovery of my dad’s work and its influence has been a terrific experience.”

The first editorial cartoonist to be invested into the Order of Canada, Macpherson received six National Newspaper Awards, the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts medal and the Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prize. He died in 1993 at age 68.

More here

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un timbre de Postes Canada rend hommage au caricaturiste de presse Duncan Macpherson
Duncan Macpherson, le premier caricaturiste à être décoré de l’Ordre du Canada en 1988, est l’un des cinq caricaturistes honorés pour leur contribution au journalisme, à l’humour et à l’art au pays

TORONTO, le 7 oct. 2021 /CNW/ – Postes Canada a dévoilé aujourd’hui un timbre rendant hommage à Duncan Macpherson (1924-1993), considéré comme l’un des caricaturistes les plus influents au Canada.

Caricaturiste de presse pour le Toronto Star pendant plus de trois décennies, il dessine des caricatures pleines d’esprit, remettant en question ce qu’il appelle « l’injustice » au nom des Canadiens ordinaires. L’artiste ouvre également la voie à une nouvelle génération en étant le premier caricaturiste canadien à négocier son salaire en passant par un agent. Parfois, ses dessins contredisent la position de son propre journal.

« Le fait que mon père soit honoré de cette façon ravive sa mémoire et son nom, affirme son fils Ian Macpherson. Je suis très fier de ses réalisations. Pour moi, cette redécouverte du travail et de l’influence de mon père a été une expérience formidable. »

Premier caricaturiste à être admis à l’Ordre du Canada, Duncan Macpherson remporte six fois le Concours canadien de journalisme, en plus de recevoir la médaille de l’Académie royale des arts du Canada et le Prix Molson du Conseil des arts du Canada. Il décède en 1993, à l’âge de 68 ans.

Lire la suite ici

Updated October 6th:
[press release]
Canada Post stamp honours editorial cartoonist Terry Mosher
One of five editorial cartoonists being honoured with a stamp, “Aislin” is commemorated for 50 years of thought-provoking work

MONTRÉAL – Canada Post today released a stamp paying tribute to Terry Mosher, the long-time editorial cartoonist for the Montreal Gazette, known as Aislin. It is the third in a five-stamp set honouring editorial cartoonists in Canada.

Mosher began his career drawing portraits and caricatures of tourists in the 1960s and was one of the founders of Artists’ Alley, an open-air gallery on Rue du Trésor in Québec – still a popular attraction.

He freelanced editorial cartoons to the Montreal Star before being hired there full-time in 1967. Five years later, he moved to the Montreal Gazette, where he is still drawing two cartoons a week. His 52nd book – Aislin’s Favourite COVID Cartoons from Around the World – was just released in September.Believing that “no person or no thing is ever perfect,” Mosher upholds cartoonists’ satirical role, despite the controversies and criticism cartoons can provoke. “We all have faults and weaknesses,” he once said. “Can we admit as much by laughing at our frailties?”

Mosher has drawn more than 14,000 cartoons; some have appeared in Time, The Atlantic Monthly, the New York Times International Edition, Punch and National Lampoon. He also earned two National Newspaper Awards, a gold National Magazine Award and was the youngest person to be inducted into the Canadian News Hall of Fame at age 43. He was also inducted into the Canadian Cartoonists Hall of Fame, is President Emeritus of the Association of Canadian Cartoonists and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada (2002).

More here

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un timbre de Postes Canada rend hommage au caricaturiste de presse Terry Mosher
Aislin, qui dessine des caricatures mordantes depuis 50 ans, est l’un des cinq caricaturistes à être mis en vedette sur un timbre

MONTRÉAL, le 6 oct. 2021 /CNW/ – Postes Canada a émis aujourd’hui un timbre rendant hommage au caricaturiste de longue date du Montreal Gazette Terry Mosher, mieux connu sous le nom d’Aislin. Il s’agit du troisième timbre d’un jeu de cinq consacré aux caricaturistes canadiens.

Terry Mosher commence sa carrière dans les années 1960 en dessinant des portraits et des caricatures de touristes. Il est l’un des fondateurs d’Artists’ Alley, la galerie en plein air sur la rue du Trésor à Québec.

Il décroche un emploi de caricaturiste pigiste pour le Montreal Star avant d’être embauché à temps plein en 1967. Cinq ans plus tard, il se joint à la Gazette de Montréal, journal pour lequel il dessine deux caricatures par semaine, ce qu’il fait toujours aujourd’hui. Son52e livre, intitulé Aislin’s Favourite COVID Cartoons from Around the World, a été publié en septembre 2021.Croyant que « rien ni personne n’est parfait », Terry Mosher soutient le rôle satirique des caricaturistes, malgré les critiques qu’ils essuient parfois et les controverses que leurs dessins peuvent causer. « Nous avons tous des qualités et des défauts, souligne-t-il. Pouvons-nous l’admettre en riant de nos faiblesses? »

Au cours de sa carrière, l’artiste produit plus de 14 000 caricatures, dont certaines sont publiées dans Time, The Atlantic Monthly, le New York Times International Edition, Punch ou encore le National Lampoon. Aislin remporte deux fois le Concours canadien de journalisme, ainsi qu’une médaille d’or aux Prix du magazine canadien. À 43 ans, il devient le plus jeune membre du Temple de la renommée du journalisme canadien. Il est également intronisé au Temple de la renommée des caricaturistes canadiens, et il est aujourd’hui Officier de l’Ordre du Canada et président émérite de l’Association des caricaturistes canadiens.

Lire la suite ici

Updated October 5th:
[press release] (identical text to previous press releasea not included)
Canada Post stamp honours editorial cartoonist Brian Gable
One of five editorial cartoonists being recognized with a stamp, Gable is a legend of his profession who uses wit, humour to connect with readers

TORONTO – Canada Post unveiled a stamp today celebrating award-winning editorial cartoonist Brian Gable, whose work over several decades is widely lauded for making Canadians laugh and reflect.

Gable has been drawing his witty cartoons for daily newspapers for more than 40 years, including more than three decades as the editorial cartoonist for The Globe and Mail. He earned degrees in fine art and in education and penned his first published editorial cartoon for a student newspaper while in university. In 1977, he began freelancing editorial cartoons once a week for the Brockville Recorder and Times while teaching high school art in Brockville, Ontario. In 1980, he became an editorial cartoonist for the Regina Leader-Post, where he worked for seven years before joining The Globe and Mail in 1987.

Gable captures the voices of average citizens in his cartoons and how they see decisions made by the powers that be. He regularly uses satire and sarcasm to highlight important issues facing our country and the world. He has won seven National Newspaper Awards for editorial cartooning. In 2018, he was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada. His citation said he’s “a legend within the editorial cartooning community” and that his work “embodies our national sense of humour, namely our ability to laugh at ourselves and our institutions.”

More here

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un timbre de Postes Canada rend hommage au caricaturiste de presse Brian Gable
L’un des cinq caricaturistes à l’honneur dans cette émission, Brian Gable est une légende de sa profession, reconnu pour son brillant humour

TORONTO – Postes Canada a dévoilé aujourd’hui un timbre en hommage au caricaturiste de presse primé Brian Gable, dont les œuvres font rire et réfléchir les Canadiens.

Brian Gable nous présente ses caricatures de presse pleines d’esprit tous les jours depuis plus de 40 ans, la majorité ayant été publiées dans le Globe and Mail. Titulaire de diplômes en beaux-arts et en éducation, il réalise sa première caricature éditoriale pour un journal étudiant durant ses études universitaires. En 1977, il commence à faire des caricatures une fois par semaine pour le Brockville Recorder and Times tout en enseignant l’art à l’école secondaire de Brockville, en Ontario. En 1980, il devient caricaturiste de presse pour le Regina Leader-Post. Il y travaille pendant sept ans puis entre au Globe and Mail en 1987.

Dans ses caricatures, l’artiste représente les gens ordinaires et la façon dont ils perçoivent décisions prises par les grands dirigeants de ce monde. Il utilise régulièrement la satire et l’ironie pour mettre en évidence les enjeux importants auxquels notre pays et le monde sont confrontés. Durant sa carrière, il remporte sept fois le Concours canadien de journalisme pour la caricature éditoriale. En 2018, il est investi à titre de Membre de l’Ordre du Canada. Sa citation le décrit comme « une légende au sein de la communauté des caricaturistes de presse » et souligne que son travail « incarne notre sens de l’humour national, à savoir notre capacité à rire de nous-mêmes et de nos institutions ».

Lire la suite ici

Updated October 4th:
[press release]
Canada Post pays tribute to editorial cartoonist Serge Chapleau
One of five newspaper cartoonists whose work is featured on a stamp, Chapleau is honoured for his unique take on 50 years of news

MONTRÉAL – Canada Post unveiled today a stamp honouring Serge Chapleau, the editorial cartoonist at La Presse and a true pioneer of his profession.

Serge Chapleau has drawn inspiration from the biggest European cartoonists and is known for his unique style and high-precision work. From his very first drawing, a portrait of singer Gilles Vigneault published in Perspectives magazine in March 1972, Chapleau became an overnight sensation and quickly established himself as one of the top cartoonists in the Montréal press. After working for various publications, including Le Devoir, L’actualité and 7 jours, he became staff cartoonist for daily newspaper La Presse in 1996, a position he holds to this day.

Through more than 7,000 drawings over the past 50 years, Chapleau has made people laugh and think by conveying the zeitgeist in a single image. In 1982, as a true pioneer of his profession, he became the first cartoonist to bring his characters to life on television. First with rubber puppets, then graphic animations, his famous character Gérard D. Laflaque captivated audiences, and nearly 500 episodes of shows Et Dieu créa… Laflaque and then ICI Laflaque were aired on Radio-Canada.

Winner of a record eight National Newspaper Awards (Editorial Cartooning category), Chapleau has published L’année Chapleau, a yearly collection of his best press drawings, since 1993. When he was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2015, he was recognized as “one of Canada’s most innovative and respected cartoonists,” and also a pioneer, having created animated cartoons for television.

Canada Post unveils five stamps
Canada Post’s other stamps in this set pay tribute to Brian Gable (The Globe and Mail, to be unveiled October 5), Terry Mosher (Montreal Gazette, October 6), Duncan Macpherson (Toronto Star, October 7) and Bruce MacKinnon (The Chronicle Herald, October 8). A live panel discussion with the cartoonists and Ian Macpherson, Duncan’s son, will be held online on October 8 at 11 am, ET. Register for the webcast here.

About the stamp issue
Canada Post’s newest stamp issue celebrates five of Canada’s greatest editorial cartoonists, whose thought-provoking and seminal work has helped shape our national fabric over the last half-century. The five award-winning cartoonists, each honoured with their own stamp, are some of our country’s best journalists and storytellers. Their

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powerful drawings have been important fixtures in some of Canada’s most prominent and influential newspapers for decades.

Armed with pencils, ink and razor-sharp wit, these editorial cartoonists have boiled down complex issues into a single image – providing pointed commentary on important domestic and world events. Challenging the status quo and tackling controversial subjects head-on, their work has transcended politics and played an important role in upholding Canadian democratic freedoms.

These talented Canadian artists have made us laugh, reflect and cry with cartoons that tap into the emotions of a country. Their combination of humour and art has enlightened and entertained us, contributed to national debate, and brought attention to unfairness and injustice. Canada Post is proud to honour their enormous contributions to Canadian media and society.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Postes Canada rend hommage au caricaturiste Serge Chapleau
L’un des cinq caricaturistes de presse à être mis en vedette sur un timbre, Chapleau est honoré pour son regard unique sur 50 ans d’actualité

MONTRÉAL – Postes Canada a dévoilé aujourd’hui un timbre-poste rendant hommage à Serge Chapleau, caricaturiste au journal La Presse et véritable pionnier de la profession.

S’inspirant des plus célèbres bédéistes européens, Serge Chapleau est reconnu pour son style unique et ses portraits d’une grande précision. Dès son premier dessin publié, un portrait du chanteur Gilles Vigneault dans le magazine Perspectives en mars 1972, Chapleau a fait sensation et est rapidement devenu l’un des caricaturistes incontournables de la presse montréalaise. Après diverses collaborations fructueuses, notamment dans le journal Le Devoir et les magazines L’actualité et 7 jours, il est devenu le caricaturiste attitré du quotidien La Presse en 1996, un poste qu’il occupe encore aujourd’hui.

Grâce à plus de 7 000 dessins réalisés depuis 50 ans, Chapleau fait rire et réfléchir en racontant en une image ce qui agite et ébranle la société. Véritable pionnier de la profession, il est devenu en 1982 le premier caricaturiste à donner vie à ses personnages au petit écran. D’abord avec des marionnettes en caoutchouc, qui deviendront plus tard des animations graphiques, son personnage Gérard D. Laflaque a séduit l’auditoire et près de 500 épisodes des émissions Et Dieu créa… Laflaque puis ICI Laflaque ont été diffusés par Radio-Canada.

Récipiendaire de huit prix du Concours canadien de journalisme dans la catégorie Caricature, un record, Chapleau publie depuis 1993 L’année Chapleau, un recueil annuel de ses meilleurs dessins de presse. Lorsqu’il est reçu Membre de l’Ordre du Canada en 2015, on le présente comme « l’un des caricaturistes les plus innovateurs et respectés au pays », en précisant qu’il « a aussi fait figure de pionnier grâce à sa caricature animée ».

Postes Canada dévoile cinq timbres
Les autres timbres de cette émission de Postes Canada rendent hommage à Brian Gable (The Globe and Mail, dévoilement le 5 octobre), Terry Mosher (Montreal Gazette, 6 octobre), Duncan Macpherson (Toronto Star, 7 octobre) et Bruce MacKinnon (The Chronicle Herald, 8 octobre). Une discussion en direct avec les caricaturistes et Ian Macpherson, fils de Duncan Macpherson, aura lieu en ligne le 8 octobre à 11 h (HE). Inscrivez-vous à la webémission.

À propos de l’émission de timbres
La plus récente émission de timbres de Postes Canada rend hommage à cinq des plus grands caricaturistes éditoriaux du pays, dont les œuvres inspirantes et marquantes

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contribuent à la création du tissu social canadien depuis 50 ans. Ces cinq caricaturistes primés, chacun honoré par son propre timbre, comptent parmi les meilleurs journalistes et raconteurs de notre pays. Leurs dessins percutants ont été des éléments importants dans certains des journaux les plus lus et les plus influents du Canada pendant des décennies.

Armés de crayons, d’encre et d’un esprit aiguisé, ces caricaturistes de presse ont illustré des problèmes complexes en une seule image et commenté avec une grande pertinence d’importants événements sur la scène nationale et internationale. Contestant le statu quo et abordant de front des sujets controversés, leur travail a transcendé la politique et joué un rôle important dans la défense des libertés démocratiques canadiennes.

En dessinant des caricatures qui puisent dans les émotions des Canadiens, ces talentueux artistes nous ont fait rire, réfléchir et pleurer. Alliant humour et art, ils nous informent et nous divertissent, en plus d’alimenter la conversation nationale et de lever le voile sur les inégalités et les injustices. Postes Canada est fière de souligner les contributions importantes de ces caricaturistes aux médias d’ici et à la société canadienne.

Updated October 1st:
[press release]
Canada Post to pay tribute to five legendary editorial cartoonists next week through a special stamp issue
Each day a new stamp will be unveiled, honouring these individuals for their brilliant, funny and provocative images, ending with an online roundtable discussion with the artists

OTTAWA – Over the next week, Canada Post will unveil five stamps that celebrate five of Canada’s greatest editorial cartoonists, whose thought-provoking and seminal work has helped shape our national fabric over the last half-century. Videos and stories will be shared with each unveiling, with a special online roundtable discussion with the artists planned for Friday, October 8.

The five award-winning cartoonists, each honoured with their own stamp, are some of our country’s best journalists and storytellers. Their powerful drawings have been important fixtures in some of Canada’s most prominent and influential newspapers for decades.

These talented Canadian artists have made us laugh, reflect and cry with cartoons that tap into the emotions of a country. Their combination of humour and art have enlightened and entertained us, contributed to national debate, and brought attention to unfairness and injustice.

Canada Post is proud to honour the enormous contributions to Canadian media and society of these editorial cartoonists:

Monday, October 4: Serge Chapleau of La Presse, winner of eight National Newspaper Awards and a Member of the Order of Canada. An annual collection of his best caricatures has been published every year since 1993. In 2004, his popular puppet character Gérard D. Laflaque was brought to life on the television satire Et Dieu créa…Laflaque.

Tuesday, October 5: Brian Gable of The Globe and Mail, winner of seven National Newspaper Awards and a Member of the Order of Canada, whose citation said his work “embodies our national sense of humour, namely our ability to laugh at ourselves and our institutions.”

Wednesday, October 6: Terry Mosher of the Montreal Gazette, best known by his pen name, Aislin. Over the last half-century, Mosher has drawn more than 14,000 cartoons, which have appeared around the world. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and has won two National Newspaper Awards and a gold National Magazine Award. At 78, he is both a historian and an elder statesman of the craft in Canada; one of Mosher’s more than 50 books is about Duncan Macpherson’s career and influence.

Thursday, October 7: Duncan Macpherson (1924-93), of the Toronto Star, one of the most influential cartoonists in Canada. The first editorial cartoonist to be invested into the Order of Canada, and winner of six National Newspaper Awards, he drew witty cartoons for three decades, challenging what he called “wrongness” on behalf of everyday Canadians. He also successfully pushed for independence from the editorial stance of his own newspaper, thereby changing the role for the editorial cartoonists who followed.

Friday, October 8: Bruce MacKinnon of The Chronicle Herald (Halifax), who has won 21 Atlantic Journalism Awards, six National Newspaper Awards for editorial cartooning (and a seventh, the inaugural Journalist of the Year award) and the World Press Freedom International Editorial Cartoon Competition. His citation as a Member of the Order of Canada called him “one of Canada’s most skilled, empathetic and provocative editorial cartoonists.

The live panel discussion with the cartoonists and Ian Macpherson, Duncan’s son, will be held online on October 8 at 11 am, ET. Register for the webcast here. It will be moderated by Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO of Historica Canada and Chair of the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Cinq grands caricaturistes de presse seront à l’honneur dans une émission de timbres la semaine prochaine
Postes Canada dévoilera un timbre par jour, chacun soulignant l’intelligence, l’humour et l’irrévérence des œuvres, et présentera une table ronde en ligne avec les artistes

OTTAWA – Au cours de la prochaine semaine, Postes Canada dévoilera cinq timbres qui rendent hommage à cinq des plus grands caricaturistes éditoriaux du pays, dont les œuvres inspirantes et marquantes contribuent à la création du tissu social canadien depuis 50 ans. Des vidéos et des entrevues seront présentées lors de chaque dévoilement, et la semaine se terminera avec une table ronde en ligne spéciale avec les artistes le vendredi 8 octobre.

Ces cinq caricaturistes primés, chacun honoré par son propre timbre, comptent parmi les meilleurs journalistes et raconteurs de notre pays. Leurs dessins percutants ont été des éléments importants dans certains des journaux les plus lus et les plus influents du Canada pendant des décennies.

Postes Canada est fière de souligner les contributions importantes de ces caricaturistes éditoriaux aux médias d’ici et à la société canadienne.

Lundi 4 octobre : Serge Chapleau de La Presse, huit fois gagnant du Concours canadien de journalisme et membre de l’Ordre du Canada. Une collection annuelle de ses meilleures caricatures est publiée depuis 1993. En 2004, sa populaire marionnette Gérard D. Laflaque est transposée à l’écran dans l’émission satirique Et Dieu créa… Laflaque.

Mardi 5 octobre : Brian Gable du Globe and Mail, huit fois gagnant du Concours canadien de journalisme et membre de l’Ordre du Canada. Sa citation à l’Ordre du Canada souligne que son travail « incarne notre sens de l’humour national, à savoir notre capacité à rire de nous-mêmes et de nos institutions ».

Mercredi 6 octobre : Terry Mosher du Montreal Gazette, mieux connu sous le nom Aislin. Au cours des 50 dernières années, il a réalisé plus de 14 000 caricatures qui ont fait le tour du monde. Officier de l’Ordre du Canada, il remporte deux fois le Concours canadien de journalisme, ainsi qu’une médaille d’or aux Prix du magazine canadien. À 78 ans, il est historien et le doyen du métier au Canada. Il est auteur de plus de 50 livres, dont l’un porte sur la carrière et l’influence de Duncan Macpherson.

Jeudi 7 octobre : Duncan Macpherson (1924-1993), du Toronto Star, est l’un des caricaturistes les plus influents au Canada. Premier caricaturiste de presse à être reçu membre de l’Ordre du Canada et gagnant du Concours canadien de journalisme à six reprises, il a réalisé des caricatures pleines d’esprit pendant trois décennies, remettant en question ce qu’il appelait « l’injustice » au nom des Canadiens ordinaires. Il a également milité pour l’indépendance éditoriale auprès de son employeur, ce qui a changé le rôle des nouvelles générations de caricaturistes de presse.

Vendredi 8 octobre : Bruce MacKinnon du Chronicle Herald d’Halifax, gagnant du Prix du journalisme de l’Atlantique à 21 reprises, du Concours canadien de journalisme (dont le premier prix Journaliste de l’année) à sept reprises et du Concours international de dessin pour la liberté de la presse. Sa citation de membre de l’Ordre du Canada le qualifie de « l’un des caricaturistes de presse les plus compétents, empathiques et provocateurs du Canada ».

Une discussion en direct avec les caricaturistes et Ian Macpherson, fils de Duncan Macpherson, aura lieu en ligne le 8 octobre à 11 h (HE). Inscrivez-vous à la webémission. La discussion sera animée par Anthony Wilson-Smith, président et chef de la direction d’Historica Canada et président du Comité consultatif sur les timbres-poste de Postes Canada.

Posted September 27th:
From Canada Post:
On October 8, the postal service will issue a new set of stamps that highlight the works of five of the nation’s most renowned editorial cartoonists.
We invite you to join us for a unique opportunity to hear directly from these highly acclaimed talents, as they recount tales of covering the news and societal trends, while expressing their opinions and perspectives through their art.

Moderator: Anthony Wilson-Smith, President and CEO, Historica Institute, and Chair, Stamp Advisory Committee

In conversation with

Serge Chapleau, La Presse
Brian Gable, The Globe and Mail
Bruce MacKinnon, The Chronicle Herald
Terry Mosher (Aislin), Montreal Gazette
Ian Macpherson, representing his father Duncan Macpherson, Toronto Star

Sign up to watch a webcast and the opportunity to submit questions. It begins at 11:00 a.m. and will last for about 60 minutes.

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