Queen Elizabeth II definitive stamp (Canada)

The Queen Elizabeth II definitive stamp is a domestic rate stamp, issued by Canada Post, and bearing the image of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. Three versions of the stamp have been issued since 2003.

Canada has depicted its sovereigns on stamps since 1851; that tradition continues into 2007. Since 1939, the image of Elizabeth II has appeared on 59 stamps issued in Canada, most of them definitives. [ [http://data4.collectionscanada.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=0003&l=20&d=POST&p=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.ca%2Farchivianet%2F020117%2F020117030101_e.html&r=1&f=G&SECT3=POST Library and Archives Canada: Canadian Postal Archives Database] ] [ [http://data4.collectionscanada.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=0237&l=20&d=POST&p=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.ca%2Farchivianet%2F020117%2F020117030109_e.html&r=1&f=G&SECT3=POST Library and Archives Canada: Canadian Postal Archives Database] ]

At Rideau Hall, on December 19, 2003, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, along with Canada Post President and CEO André Ouellet and Canadian pop music artist Bryan Adams, unveiled a 49 cent domestic rate Canada Post definitive stamp bearing the image of Queen Elizabeth II. Canada Post issued this stamp partly at the urging of the Monarchist League of Canada; the definitives were issued as double "commemorative-definitives" (normally these types of stamps are different) to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. [ [http://data4.collectionscanada.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=3799&l=20&d=POST&p=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.ca%2Farchivianet%2F020117%2F020117030424_e.html&r=1&f=G&SECT3=POST Golden Jubilee issue of 2002] ] [ [http://data4.collectionscanada.ca/netacgi/nph-brs?s1=3907&l=20&d=POST&p=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.ca%2Farchivianet%2F020117%2F020117030426_e.html&r=1&f=G&SECT3=POST Coronation 50th anniversary issue of 2003] ]

Using a black and white photographic portrait of the Queen, taken by Bryan Adams during a five minute session with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, Saskia van Kampen of the Toronto graphics firm Gottschalk + Ash cropped the image, placed the Queen's face off-centre and gave it a sepia tone wash. The informal portrait was a break from the tradition of using official portraits or effigies of monarchs on Canadian stamps. Bryan Adams said of his picture as a "glimpse of the real person... The thing that made this photo win out, was her charming smile. It is a one in a million." This stamp was released again on December 20, 2004, as a 50 cent domestic with a blue wash, chosen to contrast with the colour of the previous stamp. As a security measure, but also to provide greater depth of colour, the blue tint consisted of six different colours.

It was announced on September 19, 2006, that a series of new definitives would be issued in December of that year, as a non-denominated stamp, which will remain valid for domestic first class mail (up to 30g) through any future postal rate increases. The new series included a "Queen stamp", which used a colour image taken during her tour to celebrate the centennials of Saskatchewan and Alberta. A "P" in the lower right-hand corner appears instead of a numerical value to indicate it is good for the basic domestic letter rate. [ [http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/corporate/about/newsroom/pr/default-e.asp?prid=1182 Canada Post: "Canada Post Introduces New Stamp with Lasting Appeal! Pennywise Canadians to benefit from new Permanent stamp"; September 19, 2006] ] The second version of this stamp was issued on December 27, 2007, featuring an image of the Queen during her 2005 visit to Saskatchewan and Alberta. [ [http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/corporate/about/newsroom/pr/default-e.asp?prid=1265 Canada Post: "New 2008 definitive stamps light the way for the New Year"; December 11, 2007] ]

Canada Post spokesperson Cindy Daoust was quoted as stating that stamps bearing the image of the Queen now "outsells other stamps, ten to one, whether it's a commemorative edition or definitive one." [Cindy Daoust, Canada Post Corporation, in the Victoria (BC) News, Dec. 14, 2005.]

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