For nearly a century, collectors accepted the colourful "Riel Essay" as an unissued stamp essay prepared for Louis Riel's provisional government during the Red River Resistance. The remarkable label appeared in catalogues, exhibits and collections, becoming part of Canadian philatelic lore. But what if the accepted explanation didn't stand up to closer scrutiny? Continue reading →
Three examples of the so-called Riel Essay, from left, in black (B-2), green (G-2) and red (RW-2) on wove paper. These examples are courtesy of the Castel collection.
