Tuesday, August 3, 2010

1954 Wildlife Series

The 1954 Wildlife Series issued April 1, 1954 , consisted of three stamps : 4 cent Walrus, 5 cent Beaver, and 15 cent Gannet. The 5 cent beaver was issued in sheet format as well as booklets. The 15 cent stamp became a much-needed definitive for this denomination.

Several domestic and international rate changes came into effect on April 1, 1954:

Domestic
Local letter rate : 3 cents to 4 cents
Forward letter rate: 4 cents to 5 cents
Post Card Rate : 3 cents to 4 cents

United States
Surface letter rate : 4 cents to 5 cents
Surface post card rate : 3 cents to 4 cents

International
Preferred surface letter rate : 4 cents to 5 cents
UPU letter rate: 5 cents to 6 cents
Surface post card rate : 3 cents to 4 cents


Stamp Production

The stamps were designed by Toronto sculptor Emmanuel Hahn.

a) 4 cent Walrus

National Archives of Canada
Stamp designer Emmanuel Hahn used his plaster sculpture as a model for the 4 cent stamp.

Essays

National Archives of Canada

National Archives of Canada

National Archives of Canada

Engravers Progress Proofs

National Archives of Canada

National Archives of Canada

5 cent Beaver

Essays

National Archives of Canada

National Archives of Canada

National Archives of Canada

15 cent Gannet

Lawrence Hyde's design of the 15 cent stamp displays a gannet against a night sky that includes Polaris or the North Star.

Essay

National Archives of Canada

Approved Model

National Archives of Canada


4 cent Walrus

First Day Covers



















Usages


Toronto local letter, April 30, 1954
4 cents local letter rate (introduced April 1, 1954)

5 cent Beaver

First Day Covers








Advertising




Enclosure in Artcraft FDC promoting WSYR (Syracuse) television



 



Events




Usages

Domestic Forward Letter

North Bay to Toronto, April 1, 1954 (First day of issue)
First day of 5 cents forward letter rate


US Surface Letter


Winnipeg to Detroit, October 11, 1954
5 cents surface letter rate to the United States (Rate introduced April 1, 1954)
Booklet stamp


US Air Mail Letter


Swift Current to Tacoma, August 13, 1954
7 cents US air mail letter rate


UPU Surface Letter


Saskatoon to Brussels, Belgium, June 1 1954
6 cents UPU surface letter rate (Introduced April 1, 1954)
Shortpaid 1 cent and taxed 10 centimes (the minimum)
Belgian charge was 2 francs


15 cent Gannet (Definitive Stamp)


First Day Covers
















Usages


Domestic Special Delivery

Winnipeg to Toronto, June 26, 1961
5 cents forward letter rate + 10 cents special delivery fee


International Air Mail



Charlottetown to Glasgow, Scotland, March 11, 1960
15 cents half-ounce air mail rate to Great Britain



Montreal to London, July 8, 1969
15 cents air mail (same as letter rate)
Montreal Barrel Cancel : Montreal P.Q. B & F-R




Military Mail : NATO forces in Europe


CFPO 105 Grostequin France to Toronto, October 16, 1956
15 cent air mail rate to Canada


Military Mail : UN Emergency Force

The United Nations Emergency Force was created in 1956 to enforce the armistice between Egypt and Israel. CFPO 32 was opened at Gaza on August 1957.



Gaza, CFPO 32 to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, September 28, 1957
15 cents air mail rate to the United States




CFPO 32 handstamp