Top 10 Canada stamps for my Canadian Stamp Collection

10 famous people honoured by the Canadian Postal service

As a stamp collector I have a great fondness for Canada stamps especially stamps featuring famous people. My stamp collection features many ‘people’ stamps but I would love to add the following stamps of Canadian people who have all been featured. Actors, actresses, politicians, singers, artists, sportsmen and sportswomen of all kinds have been featured. Of those many hundreds who appeared on Canadian stamps this is my top 10, each one a unique postal stamp. I hope that you will like them as much as me. I have a separate stamp album featuring famous people and these are the postage stamps that I would dearly love to own:-

1 John Candy, Actor unforgettable in Planes, Trains and Automobiles

2 Lorne Greene, Actor famous as Pa in Bonanza

3 Mary Pickford, Canadian pioneer, one of the founders of ‘Hollywood’

4 Joni Mitchell, Singer songwriter who sang ‘Big Yellow Taxi’

5 Mike Bossy, Ice hockey player, New York Islanders, Stanley Cup champion.

6 Paul Anka, Singer songwriter who wrote ‘She’s a lady’

7 Emily Carr, Artist and iconic writer

8 Winston Churchill, British PM and Nobel Prize winner

9 Tim Horton, Ice hockey player, owner of Canada's largest restaurant chain

10 Fay Wray, Actress, a heroine in King Kong

Most famous Canada stamp

The most famous stamp issued is a 2 cent stamp which was issued as far back as 1868 some 17 years after Canada first started to issue postal stamps. There is little chance of discovering a corner block of these (a 4 stamps block of 2 x 2 square), they are rare stamps, as it is believed that only 2 single separated stamps still exist. In philately circles Canada holds a unique record as the first country to issue Christmas stamps in 1898 but Canada only began issuing annual Christmas stamps regularly in the mid 1900s. The first Xmas one in 1898 depicted a map of the world.

History of Canadian Stamps

The postal history of Canada falls into 4 sections namely:-

• The French Period of 160 years in the 17^th/18^th century
• The British Period of 78 years in the 18^th/19^th century
• The Province of Canada 26 years during the 19^th century
• Dominion of Canada from 19^th century onwards

Fruits and tree shapes as well as birds are depicted. Birds in their natural environment are particularly attractive. Sometimes the cost factor of the stamp is matched to its features as with wildlife and berries (for lower cent value stamps) or trees and architecture (for higher dollar value stamps) The instantly recognisable maple leaf still figures prominently on many Canadian stamps but beautiful astrology illustrated stamps have been release in 2011. Photographers and artists are commissioned to design stamp sets. It is a tremendous honour to be selected.

Gift packages issued by Canada Post

Collection Canada includes all stamps issued during the year and can be bought online from Canada Post, a unique gift for a budding stamp collector. History of each stamp will be included featuring information on the high grade photography needed to produce stamps. First day Covers are available and special additives / glues are offered plus protective mounts to help you keep your collection in perfect condition. Prints, commemorative envelopes, books and medallions are all available online to purchase as well as the regular, ready for everyday use stamps.

Link to Canada Post here: Official postal service of Canada

Are Canadian stamps worth collecting?

Yes is the answer. Stamp collecting need not be expensive as most of the fun involved is to collect used stamps so go find a source. Neighbours, family and friends will be willing to keep used stamps for you once you inform them that you are a collector. Many other countries have comparable stamps to the Canada stamps, so you are not confined or limited by where you live.