Postage Stamp Design: Definitives

2019 Queen Definitive

Canadian 2019 Definitive Queen Elizabeth II stamp

The year's first stamp issue celebrates Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with an engaging portrait from December 2017 at HM Naval Base in Portsmouth, England. The close up face under the bright hat brim reads well at a printed size of 20 x 24 mm. Photo: Chris Jackson / Getty Images. Printer: Lowe-Martin.

The Official First Day Cover has a maple leaf theme. The day of issue cancellation features a drawing of a maple leaf. The diamond maple leaf brooch was first given to her mother by her father the King for their first Royal Visit to Canada and used by Elizabeth, and later by her daughter-in-law and grand-daughters-in-law when touring in Canada. Also worn for her official portrait to celebrate Canada's 150th celebration in 2017. Photos: Ian Leslie Macdonald.

First Day Cover for 2019 definitive Queen stamp

Booklet of 2019 Queen definitive stamps

2016 Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II 2016 Canada stamp

Having succeeded her great-grandmother Queen Victoria in 2015 as the longest-reigning monarch in Great Britain and the Commonwealth, this striking portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was taken by UK fashion photographer David Bailey to honour her 88th birthday.

High Value Definitives

$1 Loon

1 dollar Canadian stamp with loon

The common loon is the second largest species of loon in Canada and is characterized by its large size and sharply pointed bill unlike that ducks, geese or swans. The Loon definitive is part of the wonderful wildlife issues that combine both modern and traditional printing techniques - intaglio for the animal portraits and offset lithography for the background colours. The halftone dot of the litho portion is made from a small icon image of a loon egg, providing one of several hidden security features.
Based on an illustration by Robert-Ralph Carmichael. Engraved by Jorge Peral.

$2 Polar Bear

2 dollar Canadian stamp with polar bear
The Loon and the Polar Bear definitives are wonderful wildlife issues that combine both modern and traditional printing techniques - intaglio for the animal portraits and offset lithography for the background colours. The halftone dot of the litho portion is made from a small icon image of each animal, providing one of several hidden security features. 
Engraved by Martin Mörck.  Based on an illustration by Brent Townsend. Issued 1998.

$5 Moose

5-dollar Canadian stamp with moose

The majestic moose graces one of the largest stamps ever produced by Canada Post. Hidden security features include a halftone patterned sky made from hoof-shaped dots, microtype and a UV image of a Mi'kmaq petroglyph drawn centuries ago on the rocks at Kejimkujik National park. Coordinating the work of several artists, Steven Slipp's design features an engraving by Jorge Peral based on an original drawing by Nova Scotian artist David Preston-Smith. Issued in 2003.


Postage Stamp design