MA's Stamp Album

Canada - 1963

HER MAJESTY, QUEEN ELIZABETH II

DATE OF ISSUE - 4th February, 1963

DESIGNED BY - Ernst Roch, Montreal

COLOUR - 4¢ - Red; 1¢ - Brown

SIZE - 7/8" x 1" (approximately)

PLATE Nos. - 1 and 2

PANES OF - 100 STAMPS


Issued by Authority of the
Postmaster General

QUEEN ELIZABETH II REGULAR ISSUE

These two stamps are the second and third in Canada's new regular issue series.

The design was executed by Mr. Ernst Roch of Montreal, an internationally known artist and designer. The portrait of Her Majesty is executed in a simple almost classic style, giving a cameo appearance to the stamp. In the upper left corner of the stamp is a symbol to represent one of the primary sectors of the Canadian economy.

The symbol on the one-cent stamp is three crystals, representing Canada's mining industry. Canada has long been regarded as a great natural reservoir of mineral wealth, much of which has still to be developed.

The last few years have seen tremendous expansion of mining in Canada. Long a world leader in the production of nickel and iron ores, Canada is also a leading producer of many other minerals, including gold and uranium. Presently the most important non-metallic mineral being mined in Canada is asbestos.

The symbol on the four-cent stamp is an electric high tension tower representing Canadian industry.

Canada has moved from a principally agricultural country at the time of Confederation in 1867 to its present position as one of the world's most important manufacturing countries. Manufacturing now accounts for more than 26% of the value of all goods and services produced in Canada anually.

The growth of the construction industry in Canada has kept pace with manufacturing expansion. In 1960, 23% of the gross national product was devoted to expanding, modernizing, and renewing the nation's production facilities.

An increase in urbanization which accompanied the industrial expansion has led to one of the largest home building surges in history.

SIR CASIMIR GZOWSKI

DATE OF ISSUE - 5th March, 1963

DESIGNED BY - Philip Weiss - Ottawa

SIZE - 1 3/16" x 1" (approximately)

PLATE Nos. - 1

PANES OF - 100 STAMPS

QUANTITY OF STAMPS ORDERED - 27,000,000

It is the policy of the Post Office Dept. to retain com-
memorative issue stamps for a 3 years period.

Issued by Authority of the Postmaster General

SIR CASIMIR GZOWSKI

Although one of the most important figures of his time, Sir Casimir Gzowski today is relatively unknown. This man who was a friend of many of the Fathers of Confederation not only took an active part in the military life of Canada but also in its engineering and educational life. In 1853 in partnership with Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt, Luther Holton and Sir James Macpherson he founded the contracting firm which built the Grand Trunk Railway between Toronto and Sarnia. He was also responsible for the engineering of the international bridge across the Niagara, the widening of the Welland Canal, and many other engineering achievements carried out in Canada between 1850 and 1890.

Sir Casimir was born in St. Petersburgh (now Leningrad) Russia on March 5th, 1813, the son of a Polish nobleman of the district of Minsk. As a youth he took part in the Polish Insurrection, was captured, and jailed for two years. Upon his release in 1834 he was given the choice of returning to Poland or going to the United States. Seeing death in the former choice he came to the new world. He remained in the United States only a short time, coming to Canada in 1842 under the sponsorship of Sir Charles Bagot.

Besides his engineering feats in Canada he also helped found Wycliffe College, and was first Chairman of the Niagara Falls Park Commission, laying out the parkway as we know it today. He was first President of the Ontario Jockey Club and for 20 years was a Senator of the University of Toronto. He was also one of the founders and first presidents of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, which later became the Engineering Institute of Canada.

In 1890, for his service in engineering and education, Sir Casimir was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Besides being an Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria he was an officer of the Canadian Engineers.

Sir Casimir left his mark upon the Canadian countryside with accomplishments. His influence continues through the Gzowski Cup for competition within the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association and the Gzowski Medal awarded by the Engineering Institute of Canada.

This stamp is issued to commemorate a great Canadian of Polish origin with the hope that it will bring to the attention of the public a man whose contributions have been great but have been largely forgotten. It is also hoped that the stamp will recall the contributions made to this country over the years by a vast number of other Canadians whose ethnic origin was neither British nor French.

HER MAJESTY, QUEEN ELIZABETH II

DATE OF ISSUE - 2nd May, 1963

DESIGNED BY - Ernst Roch - Montreal

COLOUR - 2¢ - Green; 3¢ - Purple

SIZE - 7/8" x 1" (approximately)

PLATE Nos. - 1 and 2

PANES OF - 100 STAMPS

Issued by Authority of the
Postmaster General

QUEEN ELIZABETH II REGULAR ISSUE

These two stamps complete the low denomination regular issue series started in October 1962.

The design, showing Her Majesty in a simple almost classic style was executed by Mr. Ernst Roch of Montreal. As in previous stamps in this series there is a symbol in the upper left corner reprsentative of one of the sectors of Ccanada's economy.

The tree on the 2-cent stamp is symbolic of forest products and forestry.

The British North America Act gives responsibility for forests to the Provinces. Over 1,711,893 square miles or approximately 48% of Canada's land mass is covered by forest. In 1960 in recognition of the importance of forestry to the country the federal government established a Department of Forestry. This Department works with the Provinces to provide the most effective conservation and utilization of the country's forests.

Often when we think of forests we think only of lumbering. The other products which our forests produce are forgotten. During the last few years, however, there has been a growing reccognition of the use of forest products in other areas. The development and manufacturing of cellulose products have extended the use of wood and the increasing production of plastic-wood products, fibreboard and laminated wood have resulted in a greater use of our trees particularly those which up to now have been classified as inferior grades of wood. Thus Canada has been able to make more complete utilization of forest resources and the elimination of much waste.

The symbol of the fish on the 3-cent stamp is a recognition of the important part played by the fishing industry in Canada's economy.

Canada is bounded on its east and west coast by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and contains within its territorial boundaries some of the largest fresh water lakes in the world. As a result over 79,000 people are employed as commercial fishermen in Canada and this country ranks third in the export of fish and fish products.

Canada is perhaps best known for its cod and its salmon. The Grand Banks, off Newfoundland are world famous for their abundance of cod, while salmon is chiefly associated with the British Columbia coast, although it is by no means restricted to this area. In addition to these two fish Canada also has many other varieties which are caught off its coasts and its inland lakes and rivers.

The abundance of fish in all parts of the country has made Canada an attractive country for sports fishermen and has provided many hours of enjoyment to Canadians and to visitors to this country.

SIR MARTIN FROBISHER

DATE OF ISSUE - 21st August, 1963

DESIGNED BY - Philip Weiss - Ottawa

COLOUR - BLUE

SIZE - 1 3/16" x 1" (approximately)

PLATE Nos. - 1

PANES OF - 100 STAMPS

QUANTITY OF STAMPS ORDERED - 27,000,000

Issued by Authority of the Postmaster General

SIR MARTIN FROBISHER

Although Sir Martin Frobisher was destined to follow in the wake of other great explorers in his search for the Northwest Passage to the Orient, he was certainly no less adveturesome. Had he chosen to sail a southerly course, rather than into the impenetrable icefields of the north, perhaps the chapters of history would have unfolded quite differently.

Sir Martin was born about the year 1535 and raised in Normanton, Yorkshire, England. For a period of some sixteen years, before his ambition was finally realized in 1576, he advocated a search for the Northwest Passage. With the assistance of the Earl of Warwick, Frobisher was placed in command of an expedition consisting of two twenty-five ton ships, the "Gabriel" and the "Michael", as well as a ten ton pinnace. They weighed anchor at Blackwall on the 7th of June.

During the crossing, the pinnace was lost in a storm and the crew of the "Michael" turned back. Frobisher, however, pressed forward until the shores of Labrador were sighted on the 28th of July. A few days later Frobisher Bay was reached and the explorers mistakenly thought they had found a strait leading to the open sea. Adverse weather conditions and ice impeded further progress and he was finally forced to return home.

Sir Martin's exploits created great interest in the commercial world, especially when it was rumoured that the "black earth" he had brought back was gold ore. This interest paved the way for the fitting out of a better expedition. The Queen loaned the services of the Royal Navy and subscribed a considerable sum towards the project. Frobisher was then made High Admiral of all lands and waters that might be discovered by him.

On may 26th, 1577, the second expedition set sail from Blackwall. Miners, refiners and other skilled personnel were included in the complement of 120 men. Two months later they landed on the south shore of Frobisher Bay and took possession of the land in the name of the Queen. Unfortunately, much of their time was spent in collecting practically worthless ore rather than in the pursuit of further explorations. However, on their return to England consideration was given to the setting up of a third and more ambitious expedition which was to attempt the establishment of a colony as well.

On the 31st of May 1578 the expedition, consisting of fifteen vessels, left Harwick. Less than a month later they reached Greenland and in mid-summer, Frobisher Bay was sighted. Once again the ice, made treacherous by the stormy sea, drove the small fleet up through Hudson Strait. After proceeding only a few miles up the strait they retraced their course and entered Frobisher Bay. Some attempt was made to prospect and to found a settlement but the whole venture proved most unrewarding. On the last day of August, they sailed for home.

This ended Frobisher's career as an explorer as his services were employed by the Navy. In 1585 he was placed in command of the "Primrose" as Vice-Admiral to Sir Francis Drake and three years later was knighted at sea for his services in the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Sir Martin was mortally wounded in the seige (sic) at Brest in 1594 and died on the 22nd November at Plymouth.

This stamp, another in the explorer series, is intended to focus attention on and to promote greater interest in the history of Canada's northland. Frobisher, by today's standards perhaps a rough and rigid disciplinarian, undoubtedly rates as an outstanding seaman and a great naval hero who did much to create interest in the then unknown lands of the North American continent.

POSTAL BI-CENTENNIAL

DATE OF ISSUE - 25th September, 1963

DESIGNED BY - B.J. Reddie - Ottawa

COLOUR - GREEN AND BROWN

SIZE - 1 1/2" x 1" (approximately)

PLATE Nos. - 1

PANES OF - 50 STAMPS

QUANTITY OF STAMPS ORDERED - 27,000,000

Issued by Authority of the Postmaster General

POSTAL BI-CENTENNIAL

The establishment of a regular postal service between Quebec, Montreal and Three Rivers in 1763, formed the nucleus of the Canada Post Office land mail service as it is known today, and established the Post Office as one of the first branches of the Canadian Civil Service.

Benjamin Franklin, the Deputy Postmaster General in North America, came to Quebec from Philadelphia to set up the organization. There was no general mail service before this time, but Mr. Franklin did find a system of post houses along the post road. These served as a foundation which he expanded and developed. Hugh Finlay, a Scot who came to Canada in 1760, and served as Post Office Surveyor, was placed in charge of the Quebec office. The Post Office made use of horses, runners and boats for dispatch and delivery.

Citizens of this area, and especially those who had worked in the old post houses, were requested to give all necessary aid to the new postal organization. Ralph Burton, Governor of Three Rivers and its dependencies, directed that saddle horses should be rented at a fee of six cents a league to carry mail to and from Quebec. Boatmen were to ferry letters and post office personnel. On delivery, the boat captain was paid one cent per letter by the postal clerk. Colonel Burton threatened punishment to those who caused hindrance or delay.

There was little mail traffic between the settlements of the colony, later known as the Province of Canada. Travellers, and members of the clergy in particular, continued to carry news from one community to another, as they had for many years.

Those who did use the mail service were assessed a fee, payable on delivery. In fixing the amount of this charge, distance and weight were the factors considered. Most of the mail carried between these post offices was to or from Europe, and crossed the Atlantic in mail packet steamer.

During the winter months, mail service was halted. For the remainder of the year, the people could depend upon a fairly regular monthly service.