Canadian Olympic stamps

The first stamps that Canada Post released to commemorate an Olympic event were in commemoration of the 1976 Summer Olympics, held in Montreal. The issue date was September 20, 1973 and the issue price was 8 cents. It is noteworthy that the issue date coincides with the opening day of the British North America Philatelic Society meeting in Calgary as both the design and purpose of this stamp promise to make it of interest to philatelists and all Canadian citizens alike. [ Canada. Post Office Department. [Postage Stamp Press Release] , 1973. ]

Although there would be other releases to commemorate the Montreal Olympics, the first stamp had a specially designed Montreal logo that featured five interlaced rings crowned with a symbolic "m". The foundation evoked the pervading olympic spirit of universal brotherhood while the "m" signified the three tiered winners' podium symbolizing the glory of the winner and the chivalrous spirit of a well contested victory. [ Canada. Post Office Department. [Postage Stamp Press Release] , 1973.

In another interpretation at the center of the logo one can discern the track of the Olympic stadium where spectator and competitor are united in the spirit of the games. [ Canada. Post Office Department. [Postage Stamp Press Release] , 1973. ]

=1976 Montreal Olympics=

1973

culptures

Olympic Sites

1976 Winter Olympics

The 1976 Winter Olympic Games were held in Innsbruck from 4 February to 15 February. The capital of the Austrian province of Tyrol, also hosted the 1964 Winter Olympics. Rolf Harder, the designer of the Innsbruck Winter Games stamp, studied both Fine Arts and Graphic Arts at the Academy in Hamburg, and worked professionally in that city before coming to Canada in 1955. [ Canada. Post Office Department. [Postage Stamp Press Release] , 1976. ] He has created a graphic design using the official Innsbruck Olympic Symbol combined with a stylized snow crystal. The blue-grey background represents a cold winter sky and serves to dramatize the five bright colours of the Olympic rings. [ Canada. Post Office Department. [Postage Stamp Press Release] , 1976. ]

1987, Third Issue

The third issue of Calgary Olympic Winter Games stamps features bobsleigh and speedskating.

1992 Winter Olympics

Canada Post Corporation will honour the XVI Olympic Winter Games, being held this year in France, with a commemorative stamp booklet of five se-tenant stamp designs. The stamps are being issued on February 7, 1992 - a day before the Games officially open in Albertville. [ Canada Post Corporation. Canada's Stamps Details, No. 5, 1992, p. 15-17. ] Five separate sports have been chosen to represent Canada's participation in these Olympic Winter Games. Among the most popular and spectacular, these include alpine skiing, figure skating, ski jumping, hockey and bobsledding.

2002 Winter Olympics

To celebrate the spirit of the 2002 Winter Games taking place February 8-24, 2002 in Salt Lake City, Canada Post will issue four stamps featuring some of the most exciting events of the games. [ Canada Post Corporation. Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2002, p. 18-19. ] Produced by Bhandari and Plater Inc. of Toronto, the stamp designs reflect the speed, agility and grace of winter sports - as well as the cool crisp colours of their surroundings and the team uniforms. . [ Canada Post Corporation. Canada's Stamp Details, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2002, p. 18-19. ]

2008 Summer Olympics

Designed by q30design inc. from Toronto, the stamp features an abstract image of an athlete with hands overhead carrying a flag. [Canada Post Stamp Details, p.6, July to September 2008, Volume XVII, No. 3] The colours of red, white and gold figure prominently on a clean white background.

References