Monthly Archives: January 2015
The most-hated question in stamp collecting
ne of the questions I hate is that old standby “what do you collect?” Usually, I hear it in conjunction with a coin or stamp event, so I have some context. In most cases the other person is curious about what the editor likes, but I have to admit it is a good way to strike up a conversation with a relative stranger. The reason that the question bugs me is that I can’t really answer, except by saying “stuff.” Continue reading →
Macdonald’s legacy not stuff of idealistic mythology
As founding fathers go, Sir John A. Macdonald was not exactly a heroic figure. He drank too much, was pretty wilful, his entire military career consisted of a short time as a private soldier mostly conducting routine patrols, and he even got tainted with a massive political scandal just a few years after Canada was formed. I sort of like that about him. He’s colourful rather than heroic. Continue reading →
Canada Post mark’s John A.’s 200th
The stamp marking John A. Macdonald’s 200th birthday will be cancelled on official first-day covers with a Kingston postmark, paying tribute to the Ontario city where Canada’s first prime minister spent his formative years.
Canada Post has released a new stamp marking the 200th birthday of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister and a Father of Confederation. Designed by Montreal-based Paprika, the predominantly earth-toned stamp features a portrait of “Sir John A.” with the dates 1815-2015. The self-adhesive stamps with simulated perforations were printed by Canadian Bank Note Company using five-colour lithography on Tullis-Russell paper. The date 2015 and copy mark are microprinted on Macdonald’s shirt, to the left of the tie. Continue reading →