Monique Mercure (Canada 2022)

Announced 4 November

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
New stamp honours acclaimed Canadian actress Monique Mercure
Quebec’s grande dame of stage and screen appeared in more than 80 films and TV productions

MONTRÉAL – Canada Post today issued a commemorative stamp celebrating Quebec’s grande dame of stage and screen, Monique Mercure. Known for her fiery spirit, versatility and powerful performances, Mercure (1930-2020) was one of Canada’s most beloved and acclaimed actresses.

She began her acting career in the early 1960s at the theatre and made her film debut in 1963 in Claude Jutra’s À tout prendre. This kicked off a career that would extend over the next six decades. A household name in Quebec, Mercure performed in more than 100 classical and contemporary plays in North America and Europe and over 80 films and TV productions.

Pane

Some of her most popular films were Mon oncle Antoine (1971), J.A. Martin photographe (1977) – which earned Mercure Canada’s first Festival de Cannes award for best actress – Naked Lunch (1991) and The Red Violin (1998). She also appeared as a regular in popular French-language TV series Providence (2005-11) and Mémoires vives (2013-16).

Throughout her career, Mercure received numerous awards and honours, including two Genie Awards, two Prix Gémeaux, the Prix Denise-Pelletier, the Prix Gascon-Roux from the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde and a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.

She was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1979 and promoted to Companion in 1993. Mercure was also named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a Grand Officer of the Ordre national du Québec.

Mercure joins her peers from the performing community that Canada Post has honoured with stamps, including Fay Wray, Mary Pickford and Christopher Plummer.

About the stamp
The stamp features an illustration by Oriana Fenwich based on a photograph of Monique Mercure taken in 1963 by Henri Paul, courtesy of Radio-Canada Archives. The stamp was printed by Colour Innovations and designed by Underline Studio. Cancelled in Montréal, the issue includes a booklet of six Permanent™ domestic rate stamps, a pane of six stamps and an Official First Day Cover.

The stamp and collectibles are available now at canadapost.ca at post offices starting November 14.

Canada Post video:

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un timbre rend hommage à l’actrice canadienne Monique Mercure
La grande dame de la scène et de l’écran au Québec a joué dans plus de 80 films et productions télévisées

MONTRÉAL – Postes Canada a émis aujourd’hui un nouveau timbre commémoratif en l’honneur de Monique Mercure, grande dame de la scène et de l’écran au Québec. Connue pour sa fougue, sa polyvalence et son jeu d’une puissante intensité, Monique Mercure (1930-2020) compte parmi les actrices les plus admirées au pays.

Elle amorce sa carrière d’actrice au début des années 1960 en jouant au théâtre et fait ses débuts au cinéma dans le film À tout prendre, de Claude Jutra, en 1963. Son ascension est fulgurante. Véritable icône au Québec, Monique Mercure joue dans plus d’une centaine de productions théâtrales en Amérique du Nord et en Europe, et plus de 80 films et productions télévisées au cours de ses 60 ans de carrière.

Pane

Ses films les plus mémorables comprennent Mon oncle Antoine (1971), J.A. Martin photographe (1977) – grâce auquel elle devient la première Canadienne à remporter le prix de l’interprétation féminine au Festival de Cannes –, Naked Lunch (1991) et The Red Violin (1998). Elle apparaît régulièrement dans les séries dramatiques Providence de 2005 à 2011 et Mémoires vives de 2013 à 2016.

Monique Mercure remporte de nombreuses distinctions, notamment deux prix Génie, deux prix Gémeaux, le prix Denise-Pelletier, le prix Gascon-Roux du Théâtre du Nouveau Monde et le prix du Gouverneur général pour les arts du spectacle de la réalisation artistique.

Elle est nommée Officier de l’Ordre du Canada en 1979, puis Compagnon en 1993, en plus d’être reçue membre de la Société royale du Canada et grande officière de l’Ordre national du Québec.

Monique Mercure fait partie des personnalités du monde artistique à qui Postes Canada a consacré un timbre, aux côtés de Fay Wray, Mary Pickford et Christopher Plummer, notamment.

À propos du timbre
Le timbre est orné d’une illustration de Monique Mercure réalisée par Oriana Fenwick et inspirée d’une photo prise par Henri Paul en 1963, gracieuseté des archives de Radio-Canada. La vignette a été imprimée par Colour Innovations et conçue par Underline Studio. Oblitérée à Montréal, l’émission comprend un carnet de six timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur, un feuillet de six timbres et un pli Premier Jour officiel.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canada Post recognizes acclaimed Canadian actress Monique Mercure

MONTRÉAL – On November 9, Canada Post invites you to attend the unveiling of a special stamp to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Canadian actress Monique Mercure, Québec’s grande dame of stage and screen.
The upcoming stamp will be officially issued on Monique Mercure’s birthday, November 14, after it is unveiled in Montréal on Wednesday, November 9.

Who: Special guests:
Michèle Mercure, Daughter of Monique Mercure
Pier-Yves Larouche, Grandson of Monique Mercure
Louise Sicuro, Founder of Journées de la culture and friend of Monique Mercure
Simon Brault, Director and CEO of the Canada Council for the Arts
Patricia Tuslane, Actress and friend of Monique Mercure
Alice Ronfard, Director

The event includes a special performance from cellist Claude Lamothe accompanied by actress Sophie Clément. Quatuor Rhapsodie will also perform before and after the event.

Where: Rialto Theatre
5723 Avenue du Parc, Montréal

When: Wednesday, November 9, at 6 pm, Eastern Time

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Postes Canada rend hommage à l’actrice canadienne Monique Mercure

MONTRÉAL – Le 9 novembre, Postes Canada vous invite au dévoilement d’un timbre spécial qui commémore le talent, la beauté et l’héritage remarquables de l’actrice d’ici Monique Mercure, grande dame de la scène et de l’écran au Québec.

Le timbre sera émis officiellement le 14 novembre, date de l’anniversaire de naissance de Monique Mercure, après son dévoilement à Montréal, le mercredi 9 novembre.

Qui: Invités spéciaux:
Michèle Mercure, fille de Monique Mercure
Pier-Yves Larouche, petit-fils de Monique Mercure
Louise Sicuro, fondatrice des Journées de la culture et amie de Monique Mercure
Simon Brault, directeur et chef de la direction du Conseil des arts du Canada
Patricia Tuslane, actrice et amie de Monique Mercure
Alice Ronfard, metteure en scène

L’événement comprend une performance spéciale du violoncelliste Claude Lamothe, accompagné de l’actrice Sophie Clément. De plus, le Quatuor Rhapsodie se produira avant et après l’événement.

Où: Théâtre Rialto
5723, avenue du Parc, Montréal

Quand: Le mercredi 9 novembre à 18 h, heure de l’Est

Christmas 2022 (UK 2022)

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Reveals Stamps for Christmas 2022

  • Royal Mail celebrates Christmas 2022 with a series of six barcoded stamps, exclusively illustrated by award-winning artist, Katie Ponder
  • The six designs reflect Kent-based Katie’s unique style, providing a fresh and contemporary feel to the classic Nativity story
  • The illustrations this year focus on key moments in the traditional Christmas story including the journey to Bethlehem and the Magi being guided by the star
  • This year’s stamps will be the last Christmas stamps to feature the silhouette of the Late Queen Elizabeth
  • Royal Mail is encouraging customers to post their festive greetings early and order their online gifts and shopping well in advance, to help its posties deliver the bumper festive mailbag
  • The stamps are on sale now and will be available at www.royalmail.com/christmas2022, by phone on 03457 641 641 and 7,000 Post Offices across the UK

Royal Mail has revealed its Christmas 2022 stamps, featuring scenes of the Nativity, exclusively illustrated by award-winning artist, Katie Ponder.

The six designs reflect Kent-based Katie’s unique style, providing a fresh and contemporary feel to the classic Nativity story.

With references to art deco adding a timeless quality to the stamp images, the illustrations this year focus on key moments in the traditional Christmas story – including the journey to Bethlehem and the Magi being guided by the star.

Royal Mail also worked with The Revd Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James’s Church, Piccadilly on the stamp issue.

This year’s stamps will be the last Christmas issue to feature the silhouette of the Late Queen Elizabeth.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “Our Christmas stamp issue is always much anticipated, and it is one we particularly look forward to. The charming style of these designs sets the perfect tone for the festive season.”

The barcodes on this year’s Christmas stamps allow customers to watch a seasonal, themed video created exclusively for Royal Mail by the award winning Aardman studio. The video features Shaun the Sheep and his friends sending some festive cheer to the Farmer’s dog.

To choose and view the video, both the sender and recipient should download the Royal Mail App. The sender can select the Christmas video for the recipient to watch just by scanning the stamp barcode — giving that someone special something extra to smile about this Christmas.

The stamps are on sale now and will be available at www.royalmail.com/christmas2022, by phone on 03457 641 641 and in 7,000 Post Offices across the UK.

String Instruments (Netherlands 2022)

[from the PostNL press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
String Instruments

Appearance: Ten personal stamps in ten different designs, marked with ‘Nederland 1’, the denomination for items up to 20g in weight destined for delivery in the Netherlands
Design and photography: Bart de Haas, The Hague
Date of issue: 7 November 2022
Item number: 820060

PostNL gives an overview of ten distinctive string instruments from both Western and non-Western musical traditions. The featured instruments are part of the Kunstmuseum Den Haag’s music collection. All photos were taken by graphic designer Bart de Haas from the Hague, who also designed the stamp sheet. The ten personal stamps in ten different designs are marked with ‘Nederland 1’, the denomination for items up to 20g in weight destined for delivery in the Netherlands. The validity period is unlimited

Each stamp features an overall image and a detail of a string instrument. The picture of the detail continues on the right or left-hand sheet edge. On the stamp, the pictures are connected by a pattern of white circles of different sizes. Each string instrument has its own background colour with a colour gradient. On the sheet edge to the left and right, the picture fragments are separated by a horizontal strip of which the colour is derived from the picture below. The colours on the top and bottom sheet edge are also derived from the stamp colours. The names of the string instruments are shown alternately at the bottom on the left and right-hand side of the stamps. The sheet edge next to it features the name of the country or area where the instrument comes from. The PostNL logo is printed at the top on the left-hand side of the stamp sheet; the logo of the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, the name of the designer Bart de Haas and the item number are printed at the bottom on the right-hand side.

The stamp sheet was designed by graphic designer Bart de Haas from The Hague. He took pictures of the ten featured musical instruments at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag. The museum manages a collection of more than 3,800 musical instruments, which was started by Daniel François Scheurleer (1855-1927).

Scheurleer not only collected musical instruments but also manuscripts, books, prints, drawings and paintings with a musical theme. Over time, the collection was expanded significantly to include non-Western and electronic musical instruments. ‘Milly van Houten-de Kom was a great help when I was researching string instruments,’ De Haas explains. ‘She is responsible for managing the huge collection of the Kunstmuseum. I also sought the advice of Frits Zwart, former music collection curator at the museum.’

De Haas wanted to feature a balanced mix of Western and Non-western instruments. ‘They have not been placed opposite each other, but distributed diagonally from left to right across the stamp sheet. After all, the essence of music is the link between them. The stamps feature string instruments from all over the world. From Europe, of course, but also from Africa, America and Asia. The shape of the instruments varies. The harp is a multi-stringed, complex, large instrument. The rubab, on the other hand, is a small instrument with only a few strings. The soundboard of the kamancheh featured is made from the shell of an armadillo. I was keen to show plenty of variety. Also when it came to the playing method, strumming versus bowing. That is why some stamps feature the bow as well.’
The String instruments stamps are available while stocks last at www.postnl.nl/collect and can be ordered by telephone from the Collect Club customer service on telephone number +31 (0)88 868 99 00.

Technical Details:
Stamp size: 30 x 40mm (wxh)
Sheet size : 170 x 122 mm (wxh)
Paper: normal with phosphor print
Gum: gummed
Printing technique: offset
Printing colours: cyan, magenta, yellow, black
Appearance: personal stamp with denomination Nederland 1 for letters weighing up to 20g with destinations within the Netherlands
Edition: 5000
Item number: 820060
Issue date: 7 November 2022

Hanukkah 2022 (Canada 2022)

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
New stamp celebrates the Jewish Festival of Lights
The contemporary illustration reflects the joyful spirit of Hanukkah

OTTAWA – Today Canada Post launched the fifth stamp in its ongoing series celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. The new stamp reflects the joyful spirit of the festival through a vibrant, contemporary interpretation of the flames on an eight-branched menorah.

Hanukkah is one of the more widely embraced celebrations in the Jewish calendar. An opportunity for reflection and a celebration of triumph and tenacity, it commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Jewish people reclaimed it from their oppressors around 165 BCE.

According to Jewish tradition, the Temple’s menorah was to burn continuously, but there was enough oil to last only one day. Miraculously, it lasted the eight days needed to harvest, press and transport a fresh supply of oil.

This miracle is commemorated through the kindling of a special Hanukkah menorah known as a hanukkiyah – a candelabrum bearing a row of eight candle or oil holders. Each evening an additional light is kindled using the shamash (helper candle).

Designed by Andrew Lewis, the stamp was cancelled in Montréal on November 7, in advance of Hanukkah, which this year takes place from nightfall December 18 to nightfall December 26.

The 2022 Hanukkah stamp is available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un nouveau timbre en l’honneur de la fête juive des Lumières
L’interprétation contemporaine reflète l’esprit joyeux de Hanoukka.

OTTAWA – Postes Canada lance aujourd’hui le cinquième timbre de sa série célébrant Hanoukka. Interprétation contemporaine et vivante des flammes d’une menorah à huit branches, ce nouveau timbre reflète l’esprit joyeux de la fête juive des Lumières.

Hanoukka est l’une des plus grandes fêtes du calendrier juif. Se voulant une occasion de réfléchir et de célébrer le triomphe et la ténacité, elle commémore la réinauguration du Temple de Jérusalem, repris de ses oppresseurs par le peuple juif environ 165 ans avant l’ère commune.

Selon la tradition juive, la menorah du Temple devait brûler sans arrêt, mais il ne restait de l’huile que pour une journée. Par miracle, cette petite quantité l’a alimentée pendant huit jours, jusqu’à l’arrivée de nouvelles réserves.

Ce miracle est célébré en allumant une menorah spéciale appelée hanoukkia, un chandelier à huit branches, à raison d’une nouvelle flamme par soir à l’aide du shamash (serviteur).

Conçu par Andrew Lewis, le timbre a été oblitéré à Montréal le 7 novembre, plusieurs semaines avant la fête, qui se tient cette année du coucher du soleil le 18 décembre jusqu’à la tombée de la nuit le 26 décembre.

Le timbre de Hanoukka de cette année est en vente sur postescanada.ca et dans les comptoirs postaux partout au pays.

[from Details magazine]
A fresh take on an age old tradition, this new Hanukkah stamp conveys the joyful spirit of the Jewish Festival of Lights through a fun, flamboyant interpretation of the flames on a hanukkiyah (a special eight branched menorah). This year, the celebration takes place from nightfall December 18 to nightfall December 26.

The kindling of a hanukkiyah is central to the observation of Hanukkah, paying homage to a miracle that took place more than 2,000 years ago. After the Maccabees led the Jews to victory over their oppressors, it is said that the menorah in the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem burned for eight days on a single day’s worth of oil.

Designer Andrew Lewis says his goal in creating the design was to put a new spin on a classical image. The stylized flames, he explains, create a graphic and emotional energy that reflects the joy and excitement of the holiday. “The different colours of the flames represent the various ways people celebrate Hanukkah today – through prayer, singing, feasting, playing with dreidels, sharing gifts,” he says. “The blue background and the white flame of the central shamash (helper candle) ground the design, as those colours hold special importance in Judaism.”

A more-detailed press release will be distributed on the day of issue, 7 November.

Christmas & Holiday Stamps (Canada 2022)

See the bottom of this page for an unreported — and possibly unobtainable — variety.

Scott Catalogue Numbers:

  • Holiday Birds souvenir sheet of 3, Sc. 3363
  • Cardinal, 3363a and 3365 booklet single
  • Blue Jay, 3363b and 3366 booklet single
  • Grosbeak, 3363c and 3367 booklet single
  • Star and Manager, Sc. 3364 booklet single

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Christmas and holiday stamps illuminate the season and add cheer
The Nativity star and holiday birds capture sacred and secular images

OTTAWA – Canada Post has released new Christmas and holiday stamps that will help Canadians make their mail merrier at this special time of year.

Since 1964, the annual Christmas and holiday stamps have been adding a festive touch to cards and letters throughout the season. For the 2022 stamps, Canadians will once again have their choice of stamps featuring either sacred or secular holiday imagery.

This year, Canada Post is also sharing images of Christmas and holiday stamps dating back decades so Canadians can see how they have evolved over the years, while still capturing the fun and magic of the season.

2022 Christmas and holiday stamps
The majestic new Christmas stamp – designed by Paprika and illustrated by Fanny Roy – is inspired by the Nativity, with an emphasis on the star that led the Magi to the infant Jesus. In biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus, the star of Bethlehem served as both a guide that led the Magi to find the young child and a sign that the prophecy of the coming of a saviour had been realized. The Permanent™ domestic rate stamp is available in booklets of 12. The Official First Day Cover is cancelled in Star City, Saskatchewan.

This year’s secular holiday stamps – designed by Hambly & Woolley Inc. and illustrated by Sandra Dionisi – feature three birds that overwinter in Canada: a cardinal (Permanent™ domestic rate), a blue jay (U.S. rate) and an evening grosbeak (international rate). The colourful stamps provide a festive and wintery look, emphasizing the beauty of the natural world during the holiday season. 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 of the three stamps is also available, along with a souvenir sheet Official First Day Cover, cancelled in Cardinal, Ontario.

Images of stamps dating back several decades
For nearly 60 years, the annual Christmas and holiday stamps have reflected the magic, landscapes and cultural traditions that make the season so special. This year, Canada Post is sharing images of some of those stamps from decades gone by. While the artwork and designs have changed significantly over the years, the stamps continue to capture the meaning, memories and cherished moments of the season that Canadians hold dear. Sharing Christmas and holiday stamps on cards and letters remains a time-honoured tradition for many people across the country.

The 2022 stamps and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada. Christmas and holiday stamps from past years are not being reissued.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Des timbres répandent la joie de Noël et des Fêtes
L’étoile de la Nativité et les oiseaux des Fêtes ajoutent une touche festive au courrier.

OTTAWA – Postes Canada a émis de nouveaux timbres de Noël et des Fêtes qui permettront aux gens au pays d’égayer leur courrier en cette période de réjouissances.

Depuis 1964, les timbres annuels de Noël et des Fêtes ajoutent une touche festive aux cartes et aux lettres. Cette année encore, les Canadiennes et les Canadiens pourront orner leur courrier de timbres présentant des images sacrées ou profanes des Fêtes.

Cette année, Postes Canada fait aussi un retour sur plusieurs décennies pour montrer comment ses timbres ont évolué, tout en continuant de refléter la joie et la magie du temps des Fêtes.

Timbres de Noël et des Fêtes de 2022
Conçu par Paprika et illustré par Fanny Roy, le sublime nouveau timbre de Noël s’inspire de la Nativité et met en vedette l’étoile qui a conduit les Mages à l’Enfant Jésus. Dans les récits bibliques de la naissance de Jésus, l’étoile de Bethléem guide les Mages jusqu’au nouveau-né, signe que la prophétie de la venue d’un sauveur s’est réalisée. Le timbre PermanentMC au tarif du régime intérieur est offert en carnet de 12 et le pli Premier Jour officiel est oblitéré à Star City, en Saskatchewan.

Conçus par Hambly & Woolley Inc. et illustrés par Sandra Dionisi, les timbres profanes de cette année présentent trois oiseaux qui hivernent au Canada : le cardinal (Permanent au tarif du régime intérieur), le geai bleu (tarif des envois à destination des États-Unis) et le gros-bec errant (tarif du régime international). Par leurs couleurs vives et leur thème hivernal, les vignettes font ressortir la beauté de la nature durant le temps des Fêtes. Le timbre Permanent au tarif du régime intérieur est offert en carnet de 12, tandis que les vignettes au tarif des envois à destination des États-Unis et du régime international le sont en carnet de 6. L’émission comprend également un bloc-feuillet festif réunissant les trois timbres, ainsi qu’un pli Premier Jour officiel du bloc-feuillet oblitéré à Cardinal, en Ontario.

Une tradition au cœur de la population
Depuis près de 60 ans, les émissions annuelles de Noël et des Fêtes reflètent la magie, les paysages et les traditions culturelles qui rendent cette période si spéciale. Cette année, Postes Canada présente des images de timbres qui datent de plusieurs décennies. Bien que les illustrations et les motifs aient beaucoup changé au fil du temps, les vignettes continuent de refléter l’importance, les souvenirs et les moments précieux d’une période chère aux gens d’ici, qui prennent plaisir depuis longtemps à s’envoyer des cartes et des lettres qui en sont ornées.

Les timbres et les articles de collection de 2022 sont en vente sur postescanada.ca et dans les comptoirs postaux partout au pays. Ceux des années précédentes ne seront pas réémis.
Added December 9th:
I received this postcard from Canada Post this week. I don’t recall CPC offering postcard-versions of this year’s holiday stamps. It wasn’t in the announcement I posted here and I don’t see a postcard-version of the U.S.-rate stamp on the Canada Post website, either. (It wasn’t easy finding the Holiday Birds stamps, though, so maybe postcards are there…somewhere.) You can click on the picture here for a larger version. Front and back of the postcard are shown.

Britain Celebrates Aardman’s Animated Characters

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Reveals Stamp Images Celebrating Bristol-Based Aardman’s Most Popular And Beloved Animated Characters

  • Eight stamps in the main set showcase fans’ favourite characters Wallace and Gromit, Feathers McGraw, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy, Robin, Morph and Chas, Frank the tortoise and Rocky and Ginger
  • A further four stamps pay homage to one of Britain’s favourite duos, Wallace & Gromit, with an exclusive miniature sheet, featuring four of their most iconic moments. Royal Mail worked closely with Aardman on the stamp issue
  • The stamps are available to at
    www.royalmail.com/aardman and by phone on 03457 641 641
  • The stamps go on general sale on 19 October, with the Presentation Pack, containing all 12 stamps, priced at £18.55

Eight stamps showcase some of British studio Aardman’s most celebrated characters. They include fan favourites: Wallace and Gromit, Feathers McGraw, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy, Robin, Morph and Chas, Frank the tortoise and Rocky and Ginger.

An exclusive miniature sheet, created especially for Royal Mail by Aardman, is also revealed. Wallace and Gromit celebrate four of their favourite ‘cracking’ moments by displaying them proudly on their wall, in their humble abode at 62 West Wallaby Street. Key moments on the stamps include memories from A Matter of Loaf and Death, The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and A Grand Day Out.

Royal Mail worked closely with Aardman on the stamp issue.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy, Royal Mail said: “This set of stamps will surely bring a smile to everyone’s face. These instantly recognisable, iconic animated characters have found a place in our hearts. We are certain they will add a bit of joy to any envelope.”

Sean Clarke, Managing Director at Aardman, said: “We are delighted to partner with Royal Mail to celebrate some of our most iconic characters in this colourful and fun-packed stamps series. We have had the pleasure of creating these films featuring these much loved characters over the last 40 years, so it is a real honour for the studio to receive this royal stamp of approval. It’s a true testament to all the hard work that goes into making these productions and we are sure that our fans will enjoy them.”

Aardman:
Aardman is the Bristol-based studio behind some of Britain’s most beloved animated characters, including Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and the plucky heroines of Chicken Run. Co-founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton began their animation partnership at school when they created a character called ?Aard-man?, which the BBC bought for its Vision On series and which marked the advent of Aardman.

The two young animators got their big break when they created the shape-shifting clay character Morph for the BBC?s Take Hart series. Utilising a stop-motion animation technique that involves shaping 3D figures out of modelling clay, the pair achieved international fame when Nick Park joined the company: his films would win four Academy Awards®, making Aardman a household name. The studio’s productions are global in appeal, with recent animated productions including festive holiday specials Robin Robin and Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas, CGI series Lloyd of the Flies, a new stop motion series for pre-schoolers The Very Small Creatures, and a feature length sequel Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget is coming in 2023, plus a brand new Wallace & Gromit film for 2024.

The stamps are available at www.royalmail.com/aardman

Tommy Prince (Canada 2022)

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Stamp remembers decorated Indigenous war veteran Tommy Prince
Prince was awarded 11 medals, including the Military Medal and the Silver Star (U.S.)

WINNIPEG – Canada Post is issuing a new stamp to remember the life and achievements of Sergeant Thomas (Tommy) George Prince, MM (1915-77), one of Canada’s most decorated Indigenous war veterans and a prominent Anishinaabe activist.

Born on St. Peter’s Reserve, Manitoba, into the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Sergeant Tommy Prince enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1940. Two years later, he joined the 1st Special Service Force, a joint Canada-U.S. specialized reconnaissance and raiding unit, where he was known for his marksmanship, stealth and tracking skills. He once repaired the broken telephone line he was using to report on German positions by posing, in full view of the enemy, as a farmer tending his fields.

For his service during the Second World War and Korean War, Prince was awarded 11 medals, including the Military Medal and the Silver Star (U.S.). After the Second World War, he served as vice-president of the Manitoba Indian Association, advocating for the abolition of the Indian Act and for the government to respect existing treaties.

About the stamp issue
Designed by Blair Thomson of Believe in, the stamp features a photo of Prince in his Korean War uniform. Northern lights in the background represent the sky above the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, where he was raised. The stamp issue is cancelled in St. Peter’s Reserve, Manitoba. Printed by Lowe-Martin, it includes a booklet of 10 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps, a mini pane of five gummed stamps and an Official First Day Cover. [en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un timbre rend hommage à l’ancien combattant autochtone maintes fois décoré, Tommy Prince
Le militaire a reçu un total de 11 médailles, dont la Médaille militaire et la médaille Silver Star (États-Unis)

WINNIPEG – Postes Canada émet un nouveau timbre commémorant la vie et les réalisations du sergent Thomas (Tommy) Prince, m.m. (1915-1977), l’un des anciens combattants autochtones les plus décorés du Canada et un grand militant anishinabé.

Né sur la réserve de St. Peter, au Manitoba, dans la nation des Ojibway Brokenhead, le sergent Thomas (Tommy) George Prince s’enrôle dans le Corps du génie royal canadien en 1940. Deux ans plus tard, il rejoint la Première Force de Service spécial, un groupe de reconnaissance et d’assaut spécialisé composé de soldats canadiens et américains. Il y est reconnu pour son talent de pisteur et de tireur, et ses techniques furtives. Il se fait même passer pour un cultivateur en train de désherber les champs pour aller réparer – sous le regard des soldats allemands – la ligne de communication lui servant à rapporter les positions de l’ennemi.

Pour son service durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale et la guerre de Corée, il reçoit 11 médailles, dont la Médaille militaire et la médaille Silver Star (États-Unis). Après la Seconde Guerre mondiale, il devient vice-président de la Manitoba Indian Association. À ce titre, il se prononce en faveur de l’abolition de la Loi sur les Indiens et exige le respect des traités existants.

À propos du timbre
Conçu par Blair Thomson de l’agence Believe in, le timbre présente une photo de Tommy Prince dans son uniforme de la guerre de Corée. L’arrière-plan d’aurores boréales symbolise le ciel de la nation des Ojibway Brokenhead, où le militaire a été élevé. Le timbre est oblitéré dans la réserve de St. Peter, au Manitoba. Imprimée par Lowe-Martin, l’émission comprend un carnet de 10 timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur, un feuillet miniature de cinq timbres gommés et un pli Premier Jour officiel.

World Post Day 2022 (Netherlands 2022)

[excerpted from the PostNL press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
World Post Day 2022

Issue: Dag van de Postzegel 2022 (World Post Day 2022)
Date of issue: 17 October 2022
Format: sheet with ten stamps in two different designs, marked ‘Nederland 1’ for mail up to and including 20 grams destined for delivery within the Netherlands
Item number: 421061
Design: Sandra Smulders, Vormgoed, Gouda
Source: Filatelie Informatief

The Dag van de Postzegel is an annual international event. It is not celebrated on the same day in all countries, although this is usually on the first Sunday after 9 October: the founding date of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). The UPU sets the rules for the international movement of mail between its member countries. PostNL will be highlighting the Dag van de Postzegel with the issue of a stamp sheet on Monday 17 October. Previous issues in the Dag van de Postzegel series often coincided with the POSTEX annual stamp show – an international event with swap meets, exhibitions and other special gatherings.

The Dag van de Postzegel 2022 issue will have the De Ruyter stamps of 1907 as its topic. The new stamp sheet has ten stamps in two different designs, with the denomination ‘Nederland 1’ for mail up to and including 20 grams destined for delivery within the Netherlands. PostNL is also issuing a stamp album and prestige stamp booklet. The prestige stamp booklet is the twelfth in the series about the history of the stamp in the Netherlands. The information featured in the prestige booklet about the De Ruyter stamps of 1907 was taken from a 1982 article by Gert Holstege in Filatelie Informatief. Filatelie Informatief is the predecessor of the Handboek Postwaarden (handbook for postal values) Nederland. This handbook has been published in instalments since 1994 and takes a scientific approach to the various stamp issues and the history of the postal service since 1850. A new publication on the issues of the De Ruyter postage stamps and postage certificates is currently being prepared for the Handboek Postwaarden. Just like the album and the booklet, the Dag van de Postzegel 2022 sheet was designed by Sandra Smulders from Gouda.

In the year 1907, a set of De Ruyter stamps were issued to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter (1607 – 1676), an admiral of the war fleet of the United Provinces of the Netherlands. The validity period of the De Ruyter stamps only ran from 23 March until 31 May 1907 and they could only be used on domestic mail. The stamps were issued in three equal designs with the postage values ½ cent (blue), 1 cent (red-violet) and 2½ cents (brick red).

The creation of the 1907 stamp design was not exactly a straightforward process. Initially, naval officer Willem Mouton made a pen drawing, derived from a print by Hendrik Bary after a painting of De Ruyter by Ferdinand Bol. To cut costs, the Post Office decided to use letterpress instead of intaglio printing. It turned out that Mouton’s pen drawing was not suitable for the corresponding savings bank stamp format. That is why printer Enschedé had a simplified drawing made as a basis for the wood engraving. The design and the execution of the De Ruyter stamps was met with considerable criticism by both philatelic magazines and the general press.

Due to the validity period of only a few months, post offices were left with large stocks of unsold De Ruyter stamps on 31 May 1907. After extensive consultation, the post office decided to overprint the remaining stamp sheets to turn them into postage stamps for internal use. Postage stamps were intended to recover postage from the addressee in the case of insufficiently franked postal items. After postage stamps were introduced by the post offices on 1 November 1907, it turned out that many collectors bought them at the counter. Post offices had been allowed to sell postage stamps to the public since 1870. At the end of 1907, stamp traders, too, tried to buy large quantities of these imprinted postage stamps for speculative reasons. This led to a lot of criticism, not only from philatelic magazines, but also from newspapers. For this reason, the post office decided to overprint additional De Ruyter stamps to turn them into postage stamps. As a result, some of the De Ruyter-printed postage stamps remained in use at the post office for years.

Design
The 2022 issue features ten stamps in two designs: a cut-out of an engraving with a portrait of Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter and a cut-out of a print showing a naval battle between the Dutch and English fleets. A fragment of the print of the naval battle continues onto the portrait stamp. To these original images, Smulders added graphical elements in the shape of wavy red and blue lines. On the portrait stamp, De Ruyter is on the right, on the naval battle stamp, the largest ship in the war fleet is on the left. Both stamps are interconnected by De Ruyter’s hair. In turn, the red hair is intertwined with the blue waves at the bottom of the stamps.

The bottom five stamps of the stamp sheet are rotated 180 degrees in relation to the top five stamps. As a result, the blue waves run in a long strip across the centre of the sheet, right onto the tabs on the left and right. The title of the issue is placed at the top of the stamp using a rubber-stamp font: horizontally on the portrait stamp, vertically on the naval battle stamp. For the country name Nederland, the direction is reversed in a handwriting font.

The original stamp designs:

Admiral Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter holding a command staff. Engraving created by Hendrik Bary between 1673 and 1707, after a painting by Ferdinand Bol from 1673. Source: Thijs Verbeek, Amsterdam

Four-Day Naval Battle between the State fleet led by Admiral Michiel de Ruyter and the English fleet led by Admiral George Monck, 11-14 June 1666. Print created by Petrus Johannes Schotel between 1848 and 1855. Source: Thijs Verbeek, Amsterdam

The Dag van de Postzegel 2022 sheet was designed by graphic designer Sandra Smulders from Gouda, who also was responsible for the 2021 and 2020 issues in the series. In this series, PostNL highlights special Dutch stamps from the past.

The original De Ruyter stamps were made up of many different pictorial elements that were not very coherent. For the new stamps, Smulders limited herself to a portrait of Admiral De Ruyter and a picture of a naval battle. ‘The portrait of De Ruyter is a reproduction of the same engraving by Hendrik Bary that would have been used in 1907 if intaglio printing had been chosen, ’ said Smulders. ‘The original image of the naval battle did not tie in with my concept. That is why I went in search of a better image with more detail. I found a print of the 1666 four-day naval battle between the Dutch and English fleets.

‘De Ruyter won the battle, by the way.’

While previous Dag van de Postzegel issues were printed in two colours, this is the first year that it will be printed in four colours. For the new stamps, Smulders chose the colours in which the historic De Ruyter stamps were printed.

The stamps are available, while stocks last, in Bruna shops and at the webshop. 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.

Technical Details:
Stamp size: 40 x 30 mm
Sheet size: 122 x 170 mm
Paper: normal with phosphor print
Gum: gummed
Printing technique: offset
Printing colours: yellow, magenta, cyan and black
Print run: 73,000 sheets
Appearance: sheet of 10 stamps in 2 different designs
Design: Sandra Smulders, Gouda
Printing company: Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé B.V., Haarlem
Item number: 421061

Canadians In Flight (Canada 2022)

Canadians in Flight
Issue date: October 17, 2022

First posted: October 6th. Newest information is above the line.

Scott catalogue numbers:

  • Souvenir sheet of 5 + label: Sc. 3355
  • Violet Milstead, Sc. 3355a, 3356 booklet single
  • De Havilland aircraft. Sc. 3355b, 3359 booklet single
  • CAE Flight Simulator, Sc. 3355c, 3360 booklet single
  • Dr. Wilbur R. Frank, Sc. 3355d, 3357 booklet single
  • W. Rupert Turnbull, 3355e, 3358 booklet single

Updated October 23:
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canadians in Flight stamps celebrate leadership in aviation and aeronautics technology, innovation
Five-stamp set commemorates groundbreaking female pilot, legendary bush plane and three innovators who changed aviation

OTTAWA – Canada Post released the second instalment of its Canadians in Flight stamps today, an issue that celebrates the people, planes and technology that have allowed Canada’s reputation for innovation to soar.

Developed with the support of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, as well as the Ottawa chapter of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, this edition of Canadians in Flight honours these achievements:

  • Violet (Vi) Milstead (1919-2014). One of Canada’s first female bush pilots, Toronto-born Vi Milstead instructed at Toronto’s Barker Field before signing up with Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War. The civilian organization ferried military aircraft between factories and front-line squadrons. Over 28 months, Milstead logged more than 600 hours in 47 types of aircraft, including massive, multi-engine bombers. Following the war, she moved to Sudbury, Ont., where she flew as a bush pilot and also instructed.
  • The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver. The Beaver is considered the best bush plane ever built and was named one of Canada’s top 10 engineering achievements of the 20th century. The all-metal plane’s short takeoff and landing capability – along with its ability to be fitted with wheels, floats or skis – made the Beaver ideal for accessing and connecting remote areas of the country.
  • Kenneth Patrick (1915-2002) and the CAE flight simulator. New Brunswick’s Kenneth Patrick, a former Royal Canadian Air Force officer, introduced simulator technology to Canada through CAE Inc. (then Canadian Aviation Electronics Ltd.), the company he founded in 1947. By the 1980s, CAE had developed a simulator so realistic it was no longer necessary for all flight training to be completed on actual aircraft. Today, air travel is the safest mode of transportation in part because commercial pilots train in simulators – most produced by CAE Inc.
  • Wallace Rupert Turnbull (1870-1954) and the variable pitch propeller. This Saint John, N.B., native was a pioneering aeronautical engineer who developed the variable pitch propeller. The device allowed pilots to adjust the pitch, or angle, of propeller blades in flight as easily as one would change gears in a manual car. This improved the aircraft’s efficiency.
  • Wilbur R. Franks (1901-86) and the G-suit. Dr. Franks, born in Weston, Ont., developed the world’s first anti-gravity suit used in combat, during the Second World War. The rubber suit, which he personally tested and was also known as the Franks Flying Suit, was lined with water-filled pockets that created enough hydrostatic pressure to counter strong gravitational (G) forces.These global advances provided the foundation for ongoing improvements in aviation and remain an important part of Canadian history.

The stamp issue, designed by Ivan Novotny of TaylorISprules Corporation and printed by Lowe-Martin, is available in a booklet of 10 PermanentTMdomestic rate stamps (two of each design) and a gummed mini-pane of five. A limited number of framed panes and five Official First Day Covers are also available as a set or separately.

The first five stamps were issued in 2019.

Technical Specifications:[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
La série de timbres Exploits de l’aviation canadienne salue les réalisations du pays dans le monde de l’aviation
Le jeu de cinq timbres souligne l’importante contribution d’une pilote avant-gardiste, d’un avion de brousse légendaire et de trois inventeurs à l’histoire de l’aéronautique

OTTAWA – Aujourd’hui, Postes Canada a lancé le deuxième volet de sa série Exploits de l’aviation canadienne. Cette émission célèbre des personnes, un aéronef et des avancées technologiques qui, par leur caractère novateur, ont permis au Canada de se bâtir une réputation de visionnaire.

Conçus en collaboration avec le Panthéon de l’aviation du Canada, le Musée de l’aviation et de l’espace du Canada et la section d’Ottawa de la Canadian Aviation Historical Society, ces timbres rendent hommage aux réalisations suivantes :

  • Violet (Vi) Milstead (1919-2014). Née à Toronto, Vi Milstead est l’une des premières pilotes de brousse au Canada. Instructrice au Barker Field de Toronto, elle se joint à l’organisation britannique Air Transport Auxiliary pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Au cours de ses 28 mois en Grande-Bretagne, elle transporte des aéronefs militaires entre les usines et les escadrons de première ligne, effectue plus de 600 heures de vol et pilote 47 types d’aéronefs, comme de gros bombardiers multimoteurs. Après la guerre, elle s’installe à Sudbury, en Ontario, où elle enseigne et vole à titre de pilote de brousse.
  • Le DHC-2 Beaver de la compagnie de Havilland Canada. Considéré comme le meilleur avion de brousse jamais construit, le Beaver est désigné comme l’une des 10 plus grandes réalisations d’ingénierie canadiennes du 20e siècle. L’aéronef entièrement fait de métal est capable de décoller et d’atterrir sur de courtes distances, et on peut l’équiper de roues, de flotteurs ou de skis, ce qui en fait l’appareil idéal pour se rendre dans les régions éloignées du Canada.
  • Kenneth Patrick (1915-2002) et le simulateur de vol de CAE. Kenneth Patrick, ancien officier de l’Aviation royale canadienne originaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, introduit la technologie de simulateur de vol au Canada avec CAE Inc., l’entreprise qu’il fonde en 1947 et qui s’appelle à l’époque Canadian Aviation Electronics Ltd. Dans les années 1980, l’entreprise met au point un simulateur de vol si réaliste que les pilotes n’ont plus à suivre toute leur formation à bord de véritables aéronefs. Si l’avion est aujourd’hui le mode de transport le plus sécuritaire, c’est en partie dû au fait que les pilotes professionnels s’entraînent sur des simulateurs de vol, la plupart produits par CAE Inc.
  • Wallace Rupert Turnbull (1870-1954) et l’hélice à pas variable. Né à Saint John, au Nouveau-Brunswick, ce pionnier de l’ingénierie aéronautique est l’inventeur de l’hélice à pas variable. Cette invention améliore l’efficacité de l’aéronef en permettant aux pilotes d’ajuster l’angle, c’est à dire le pas, des pales pendant le vol, ce qui équivaut à changer de vitesse dans une voiture.
  • Wilbur R. Franks (1901-1986) et la combinaison anti-g.à Weston, en Ontario, le Dr Franks met au point la première combinaison anti-gravité utilisée au combat pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Il teste personnellement sa création, que l’on appelle aussi la combinaison de vol Franks. Faite de caoutchouc, elle est doublée de poches remplies d’eau, créant une pression hydrostatique suffisante pour contrer les forces g.

Ces avancées mondiales ont contribué aux progrès continus dans le domaine de l’aviation et continuent d’occuper une place importante dans l’histoire du Canada.

Les timbres, conçus par Ivan Novotny de Taylor|Sprules et imprimés par le groupe Lowe-Martin, sont offerts en carnet de 10 timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur (deux de chaque motif) et en mini-feuillet de cinq timbres gommés. Un nombre limité de feuillets encadrés et cinq plis Premier Jour officiels sont également offerts ensemble ou séparément.

Les cinq premiers timbres de la série ont été émis en 2019.


[from Details] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]Ready for take-off on its return trip, the second edition of Canadians in Flight once again celebrates the people, planes and technologies that have allowed Canada’s reputation for innovation to soar. Since the early days of flight, Canadians have made global advances in the fields of aviation and aeronautics, with some contributions remaining the foundation for ongoing advancement in these fields.

One of Canada’s first female bush pilots, Toronto-born Violet (Vi) Milstead (1919-2014) earned her private pilot’s licence in 1939, followed by her commercial licence and instructor’s rating, and taught at Toronto’s Barker Field. During the Second World War, she joined Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary, ferrying military aircraft – everything from single-engined fighters to large multi-engined bombers – between the factories and frontline squadrons. After the war, she married and moved to Sudbury, instructing and flying as a bush pilot.

The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver made its first flight on August 16, 1947, and by the time production ended in 1968, the company had produced 1,692 of the bush planes, delivered to 62 countries. With its short take-off and landing capability, flexibility to be fitted with wheels, floats or skis, and ability to carry up to nine passengers or bulk cargo, the Beaver is considered the best bush plane ever built. The Engineering Centennial Board named it one of Canada’s top ten engineering achievements of the 20th century.

Pilots around the world can thank Canadian flight-simulator technology for their highly specialized training. Former Royal Canadian Air Force officer Kenneth Patrick (1915-2002) brought the technology to Canada through CAE Inc. (then Canadian Aviation Electronics Ltd.) – the company he founded in 1947. CAE built its first flight simulator in the early 1950s and by the early 1980s had developed a flight simulator so realistic that it was no longer necessary for all flight training to be completed on an actual aircraft.

Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, pioneering aeronautical engineer Wallace Rupert Turnbull (1870-1954) built Canada’s first wind tunnel in 1902 and spent the next decade researching aircraft stability and airfoils and experimenting with lift devices, internal combustion engines, turbines and hydroplanes. His most notable achievement, the variable pitch propeller, allowed pilots to adjust the pitch, or angle, of the propeller blades in flight, improving the efficiency of the propeller and the aircraft. His influence can still be seen on modern propeller-driven aircraft.

Born in Weston, Ontario, Dr. Wilbur Rounding Franks (1901-86) was conducting cancer research at the University of Toronto in 1939 when he joined Dr. Frederick Banting’s aviation medicine research team to study the life-threatening risks of high- speed aerial manoeuvres due to strong gravitational (G) forces. Franks developed – and personally tested – a rubber flying suit lined with water-filled pockets that created enough hydrostatic pressure to counter the G-forces. During the Second World War, it became the world’s first anti-gravity suit used in combat.

This issue will be available in both booklets of 10 stamps and a pane of 5 (above). Individual Official FDCs may also be ordered: More details and better pictures wlll be available on the day of issue.

Diwali (Canada 2022)

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canada Post heralds arrival of Diwali with luminous new stamp
Festival celebrated with fireworks displays and lighting of lamps

CALGARY, AB, Oct. 6, 2022 /CNW/ – Canada Post 6 October issued a new commemorative stamp in honour of Diwali, a major festival observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and other communities. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness and good over evil.

About the festival
Diwali, which falls on October 24 this year, is celebrated over a period of five days. During the festivities, small clay oil lamps called diyas are often lit in rows in homes and temples. Fireworks are also set off, signifying the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Colourful geometric Rangoli patterns are created in entrance ways, living rooms and courtyards using rice, paint, coloured sand or powder, or flower petals. Families and friends also gather to exchange gifts and give food and goods to those in need.

About the stamp
Featuring an illustration by Arthur Grivel, of Montréal design firm Paprika, the stamp design highlights two traditions that are central to the celebration of Diwali: fireworks displays and the lighting of diyas. Fluorescent ink applied to parts of the stamp intensifies its colour and gives it a glowing appearance when exposed to black light.

This is Canada Post’s fourth Diwali stamp; the first three were issued in 2017, 2020 and 2021. The stamp is just one of several annual issues that celebrate Canada’s cultural diversity by recognizing events of importance to Canadians. Others include Christmas, Hanukkah and Eid. The stamp issue is cancelled in Calgary, which is home to a large population of Indo-Canadians.Printed by Colour Innovations, the stamp issue includes a booklet of 6 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover. Stamps and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Postes Canada souligne l’arrivée de Diwali avec un nouveau timbre lumineux
Le festival est célébré par l’allumage de feux d’artifice et de lampes

CALGARY, AB, le 6 oct. 2022 /CNW/ – Aujourd’hui [6 Octobre], Postes Canada a émis un nouveau timbre commémoratif pour souligner Diwali, un festival d’importance célébré par les hindous, les sikhs, les bouddhistes, les jaïns et d’autres communautés. Aussi connue sous le nom de fête des Lumières, Diwali marque le triomphe de la lumière sur les ténèbres et du bien sur le mal.

À propos de Diwali
Diwali, qui se tient le 24 octobre cette année, est célébrée sur une période de cinq jours. Pour l’occasion, de petites lampes à huile en terre cuite, ou diyas, sont souvent allumées en rangées dans les maisons et les temples. On illumine aussi le ciel de feux d’artifice pour célébrer le triomphe du bien sur le mal, de la lumière sur les ténèbres et de la connaissance sur l’ignorance. Des rangolis aux formes géométriques colorées sont tracés dans les entrées, les salons et les cours à l’aide de riz, de peinture, de poudre ou de sable coloré, ou de pétales de fleurs. Les gens se réunissent aussi en famille et entre amis pour échanger des cadeaux et donner de la nourriture et des produits à ceux qui en ont besoin.

À propos du timbre
Le motif du timbre, qui présente une illustration d’Arthur Grivel de la maison de graphisme montréalaise Paprika, met en valeur deux traditions qui sont au cœur de la fête de Diwali, soit l’allumage de feux d’artifice et des diyas. L’encre fluorescente appliquée à certains endroits du timbre en intensifie la couleur et lui donne un aspect brillant sous la lumière noire.

Il s’agit du quatrième timbre consacré à Diwali émis par Postes Canada; les trois premiers ont paru en 2017, 2020 et 2021. Le timbre est l’une des nombreuses émissions annuelles qui célèbrent la diversité culturelle du Canada en soulignant des événements importants pour la population canadienne. D’autres émissions soulignent notamment Noël, Hanoukka et l’Aïd. L’émission est oblitérée à Calgary, où vit une importante communauté indo-canadienne.

Imprimée par Colour Innovations, l’émission comprend un carnet de six timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur et un pli Premier Jour officiel. Les timbres et les articles de collection sont en vente sur le site postescanada.ca et dans les comptoirs postaux partout au pays.