Canada Post today honoured late artist Duncan Macpherson, who died in 1993 after a decades-long career as one of the country’s most influential editorial cartoonists.
An editorial cartoonist for the Toronto Star for more than 30 years, Macpherson drew witty cartoons to challenge what he called “wrongness” on behalf of everyday Canadians. He also helped reshape the profession for a generation of cartoonists by being the first to hire an agent to negotiate his salary and by pushing for editorial independence. Sometimes, his cartoons opposed the editorial stance of his own newspaper.
“Having dad honoured in this way revives his memory and his name,” said his son, Ian Macpherson. “I’m so proud of his achievements. For me personally, this rediscovery of my dad’s work and its influence has been a terrific experience.”
The first editorial cartoonist to be invested into the Order of Canada, Macpherson received six National Newspaper Awards, the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts medal and the Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prize. He was 69 when he died in 1993.
The Macpherson stamp features his black-and-white “Thirsty or Hungry?” design, highlighting U.S. interests in Canada. It shows a large cat representing the United States sitting behind a fishbowl with the phrase “POWER RESEVOIR” along the waterline and a small fish with “CANADA” across its side.
The Macpherson official first-day cover (front shown) features a pictorial postmark from Toronto featuring his artist’s signature.
FIVE-STAMP SET
Canada Post began unveiling the five-stamp set on Oct. 4 with an issue celebrating Serge Chapleau, the editorial cartoonist at La Presse.
The second stamp, featuring award-winning Globe and Mail editorial cartoonist Brian Gable, was unveiled on Oct. 5.
Yesterday’s issue honoured “Aislin,” the nom de plume of Terry Mosher, a long-time Montréal Gazette cartoonist.
The back of the cover (shown) features Macpherson’s portrait and biographic details.
The series’ final stamp – to be unveiled tomorrow, when the entire set is issued – pays tribute to Bruce MacKinnon, of the Chronicle Herald.
A live panel discussion with the cartoonists and Ian Macpherson, Duncan’s son, will be held online tomorrow at 11 a.m. (ET). Register for the webcast here.
The editorial cartoonist stamps and collectibles will be available via canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada starting tomorrow.