Mark­ing the Queen’s Historic Reign: New Stamp Unveiled

On Septem­ber 9, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Eliz­a­beth II became the longest reign­ing Sover­eign in modern Cana­dian history. In cele­bra­tion of this monu­men­tal achieve­ment Canada Post released a permanent-rate stamp that was unveiled at Rideau Hall (Ottawa), along­side a commem­o­ra­tive coin and new twenty-dollar bill. The stamp commem­o­rates “A HISTORIC REIGN / UN RÈGNE HISTORIQUE,” and as the design­ers of the stamp Entro’s Gerald Queru­bin and Doreen Colonello were pleased to be a part of such a momen­tous occa­sion.

The stamp design captures the historic length of the Queen’s reign through the combi­na­tion of images past and present; the black and white photo by Yousuf Karsh of Her Majesty’s coro­na­tion in 1953, and the colour photo from Her 2010 Royal Tour of Canada (provided by the Depart­ment of Cana­dian Heritage). The historic image shows the Queen as monarch, in both dress and manner­ism, paired with a recent colour image that pays trib­ute to the Queen as a vibrant, influ­en­tial and current figure. The red and white within the design, includ­ing the Queen’s apparel, pay homage to Canada. The stamp was produced using four-colour lith­o­g­ra­phy and a metal­lic silver ink, adding unique­ness to the Queen’s commem­o­ra­tive stamp.

Photo credit: Sgt Ronald Duch­esne, Rideau Hall © Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada repre­sented by the Office of the Secre­tary to the Gover­nor General, 2015.

Mention de source : Sgt Ronald Duch­esne, Rideau Hall © Sa Majesté la Reine du Chef du Canada représen­tée par le Bureau du secré­taire du gouverneur général, 2015