Bluenose (postage stamp)

Infobox_RareStamps
common_name = Bluenose


country_of_production = Canada
location_of_production =
date_of_production = 8 January 1929
nature_of_rarity = Classic stamp
number_in_existence = Unknown
1,044,900 printed
face_value = CAN$ 50-cent
estimated_value = CAN $700

The Bluenose is the nickname for a 50-cent definitive postage stamp issued by the Canadian Post Office on 8 January 1929 as part of the King George V "Scroll Issue”. Scott number is 158 with a perforation of 12. The stamp depicts the fishing schooner "Bluenose" and the design, by the Canadian Bank Note Company, Ottawa, is a montage of two different images of the vessel, racing off Halifax Harbour. The stamp is considered a classic even though it was issued after 1900 and some people consider it to be the most beautiful stamp in the world, but certainly it is the favourite Canadian stamp. [ [http://www.bnaps.org/education/esc2.asp] BNAPS "Bluenose is Still Considered Canada’s Finest Stamp" (retrieved 1 October 2006)] [ [http://alphabetilately.com/glossary.html#BLU] Alphabetilately.com (retrieved 1 October 2006)]

Three printing plates were made; plate 1 (of 200 impressions) was never used because of defects found, but plates 2 and 3 (of 100 impressions) were used to print 1,044,900 copies of the stamp. The photographs for the handsome engraved stamp were taken by W.R. MacAskill in 1922 and the vignette was engraved by the American Bank Note Company, New York. [ [http://www.mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/e/stmp158.htm] Canadian Fisheries and Oceans website (retrieved 1 October 2006)] In 2001 a Bluenose first day cover sold for CAN $3,650. [ [http://www.canadianstampauctions.com/Commentary/Number_46.htm] Canadian Stamp Auctions: "Stamp market commentary April, 2003" (retrieved 1 October 2006)]

Stamps issued in 1982 and 1999 show all, or part, of the original Bluenose stamp in their designs. The 1982 stamp is a stamp-on-stamp design while the 1998 issue was in commemoration of the naval designer William James Roué of the original schooner. [ [http://shoebox.heindorffhus.dk/frame-Bluenose.htm] "Bluenose: A National Symbol of Canada" (retrieved 1 October 2006)]

References

ee also

* Classic stamp
* List of notable postage stamps

External links

* [http://www.squashns.ca/bluenose2006/bluenose.html Bluenose info]
* [http://shoebox.heindorffhus.dk/frame-Bluenose.htm Bluenose: A National Symbol of Canada]
* [http://www.civilization.ca/cpm/montecarlo/cpmmncoe.html Canadian Postal Museum] Original rejected artwork and links to elements used in design process]
* [http://www.bennettstamps.com/cgi-bin/viewlot.pl?site=1&sale=284&lot=2078&lang=1 Imperforate horizontal pair] Bennett Stamps auction Jan 2005 (realised $290)
* [http://www.bennettstamps.com/cgi-bin/viewlot.pl?site=1&sale=284&lot=2074&lang=1 Marginal block-of-four] Bennett Stamp auction Jan 2005 (realised $500)