A mummy wrapped in bandages, a stitched-up monster and a wart-covered witch are the stars of Canada’s newest Halloween stamps, issued Oct. 13.
In a press release, Canada Post says the three designs feature actual hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns rather than illustrations, with dramatic lighting, shadows and Halloween decorations creating a distinctive setting for each character.
The mummy has glowing eyes and a crooked mouth peering through thick bands carved around the pumpkin. Behind it, the shadow of a large spider adds to the eerie atmosphere.
The monster has mismatched eyes, green patches held together by stitches and a wide, illuminated grin. Spiderwebs stretch from its stem against a purple background, with several spiders completing the scene.
The witch features a long, crooked nose and a face covered in wart-like growths. Potion bottles surround the pumpkin, while the shadow of a black cat appears in the background.
The pumpkins were carved by Zac Flavelle and photographed by Maya Visnyei. Kristine Do designed the issue, with prop styling by Catherine Doherty.
The Halloween theme extends to the booklet packaging. Its cover features illuminated pumpkins against a dark background, while the interior reveals a crooked grin emerging from a collection of pumpkins and gourds.
Printed by Colour Innovations, the issue consists of three designs available in booklets of six Permanent domestic-rate stamps, with two examples of each design.
Canada Post’s official first day cover for its Oct. 13 Halloween issue features three jack-o’-lantern stamps cancelled in Smoky Lake, Alta., alongside an illuminated pumpkin carved with a skull and flanked by two glowing faces. (Canada Post image)
The official first day cover adds another element for collectors, with a jack-o’-lantern-shaped cancellation from Smoky Lake, Alta., known as the Pumpkin Capital of Alberta.
The community hosts the annual Great White North Pumpkin Weigh-Off & Fair, making it a fitting choice for the first day cancellation.
The cover artwork features an illuminated pumpkin carved with a skull and flanked by two glowing jack-o’-lantern faces. The three stamps appear together on the right side of the cover.
For generations, carved pumpkins have been a familiar part of Halloween, traditionally displayed on doorsteps and windowsills with candles or other lights illuminating their faces.
Canada Post’s latest issue brings that tradition to postage stamps through three individually carved characters, each photographed in a setting designed to capture the playful and spooky side of Halloween.
The stamps and official first day cover are available through selected postal outlets and Canada Post’s website.