1937 - 1942
George VI (1895 –1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth. He was the last Emperor of India and the first Head of the Commonwealth. Named Albert at birth, he was the second-born son of George V.
On January 20 1936, King George V died, and Albert's older brother Edward ascended the throne as Edward VIII. Canada had not yet issued its Edward VIII definitive series when on December 11, 1936, Edward VIII abdicated the throne in order to marry his mistress, divorcee Wallis Simpson. Albert reluctantly became the next monarch, assuming the title of King George VI to emphasise continuity with his father and restore confidence in the monarchy. George VI reigned from 1936 until his early death in 1952.
Canada Post Office issued the first George VI definitive series in April, 1937. In 1938, new high value pictorial stamps were released.
The first George VI definitive issue was based on a photograph of the King in a business suit taken by Bertram Park on December 15 1936, just four days after his accession to the throne.
The George VI stamp design with civilian attire has been referred to as the "Mufti" issue. The 1¢, 2¢, and 3¢ denominations were issued on April 1, 1937. The 4¢, 5¢, and 8¢ denominations were issued on May 10, 1937.
Low Value Design Stages
a) Frame
The Canadian Bank Note Company was in the process of designing the Edward VIII definitive stamps when the monarch abdicated. The essays below show the development of the frame and ornaments for the Edward VIII stamp design.
National Archives of Canada
Rejected frame
National Archives of Canada
Accepted design of the oval design for the frame
National Archives of Canada
The crown in the upper right hand corner of this essay was accepted for the ornaments used in the stamp design.
The Edward VIII frame design was used for the George VI stamp.
b) Vignette
King George VI had been pictured on the 2 cent denomination of the 1935 Jubilee Issue. The image showed the Duke of York, as he was then known, in military uniform.
National Archives of Canada
An essay combining the Edward VIII frame and the 1935 engraved portrait of George VI was prepared for the 2 cent denomination.
National Archives of Canada
Essay consisting of Edward VIII frame and the 1935 image of George VI
The portrait of the King in military uniform was rejected on January 22, 1937.
National Archives of Canada
On January 23, 1937, a model of the George VI stamp in civilian dress was approved:
National Archives of Canada
A photograph of the King in a business suit taken by Bertram Park on December 15 1936, just four days after his accession to the throne was chosen to be engraved for the stamp image.
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
Engraving Chronology on card to which Bertram photograph was attached
The engraving was started on January 26, 1937. The final engraving was approved on February 22, 1937. Non-denominated dies were produced in New York (American Bank Note Company).
Die proof, colour trial , steel engraving , blue
Text on the item : Proof of die received from New York # 2
National Archives of Canada
Die proof, colour trial , steel engraving , black
Text on the item : Proof of die received from New York # 4
National Archives of Canada
Die proof, colour trial , steel engraving , black
Text on the item : Proof of die received from New York 5
National Archives of Canada
The 2 cent engraved die was approved for printing on March 3, 1937.
National Archives of Canada
Approved die March 3, 1937
1 cent
National Archives of Canada
2 cent
National Archives of Canada
3 cent
National Archives of Canada
4 cent
National Archives of Canada
5 cent
National Archives of Canada
8 cent
National Archives of Canada
1938 Pictorial Definitives
Canada's pictorial stamps of 1938 featured images of Canadian geographical, and historical significance.
Essays
The archival material suggests that a nautical theme had been originally planned for the pictorials.
National Archives of Canada
The frame was adopted for the 50 cent Vancouver Harbour stamp
National Archives of Canada
The frame (without anchors) was adopted for the $1.00 Chateau de Ramezay stamp.
National Archives of Canada
10 cents Memorial Chamber, Peace Tower, Parliament Buildings
The Memorial Chamber, Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa was the subject of the 10 cent denomination. The Altar of Remembrance contains the roll of those who died in the wars for Canada and the Empire.
National Archives of Canada
Not from author's collection
Issued July 28, 1938
13 cents Halifax Harbour
Photographs of Halifax Harbour taken by W. R. MacAskill were used for the design of the 13 cent pictorial stamp.
Photograph 1
National Archives of Canada
Photograph 2 : Steam ship and sail boat
National Archives of Canada
Composite used for the stamp design
Not from author's collection
Issued November 15, 1938
20 cents Fort Garry Gate, Winnipeg
The 20 cent stamp depicted the old Fort Garry Gate at Winnipeg, Manitoba.
National Archives of Canada
Not from author's collection
Issued June 15, 1938
50 cents Vancouver Harbour
This design based on a photograph by W.J. Moore shows the view of Vancouver Harbour from West Bay on the northern side of the entrance to the Harbour where the Lookout at the Narrows is situated. Prospect Point and part of the city appear in the background and in the distance is Mount Baker in the State of Washington.
National Archives of Canada
Not from author's collection
Issued June 15, 1938
$1.00 Chateau de Ramezay, Montreal
The Chateau Ramezay located in Montreal was built in 1703 by Claude de Ramezay, the eleventh Governor of Montreal, and served as headquarters for the Continental Army under General Montgomery in 1775-76. The Chateau has been a museum since 1895.
National Archives of Canada
Not from author's collection
Issued June 15, 1938
6 cents Air Mail : Mackenzie River, Northwest Territories
The air mail stamp features a composite scene on the Mackenzie River, Northwest Territories which includes the SS. Distibutor , a shallow-draft stern-wheeler, a group of men carrying supplies to and from the landing stage, and a twin- engined monoplane, equipped with floats.
Photos: design reference material and artwork used for the design of 6 cent air mail and 10 cent Memorial Chamber
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
Die proof , steel engraving on india paper sunk on card , steel-blue
Not from author's collection
Issued June 15, 1938
Special Delivery: Canadian Coat of Arms
The special delivery rate at the beginning of the "Mufti" period was 20 cents for which a 20 cent special delivery stamp was issued. The special delivery rate was reduced to 10 cents on March 1, 1939. To meet the need for 10 cent special delivery stamps, 20 cent stamps were overprinted 10 cents. The overprints were only current until March 31, 1938. On April 1, 1939, a new 10 cent denomination special delivery stamp was issued.
20 cents Special Delivery
National Archives of Canada
Montage of various engraved and painted parts.
Not from author's collection
Issued June 15, 1938 (released with pictorial issue)
10 cents Overprint
Not from author's collection
Issued March 1, 1939
10 cents Special Delivery
Not from author's collection
Issued April 1, 1939
a) Frame
The Canadian Bank Note Company was in the process of designing the Edward VIII definitive stamps when the monarch abdicated. The essays below show the development of the frame and ornaments for the Edward VIII stamp design.
National Archives of Canada
Rejected frame
National Archives of Canada
Accepted design of the oval design for the frame
National Archives of Canada
The crown in the upper right hand corner of this essay was accepted for the ornaments used in the stamp design.
The Edward VIII frame design was used for the George VI stamp.
b) Vignette
King George VI had been pictured on the 2 cent denomination of the 1935 Jubilee Issue. The image showed the Duke of York, as he was then known, in military uniform.
National Archives of Canada
An essay combining the Edward VIII frame and the 1935 engraved portrait of George VI was prepared for the 2 cent denomination.
National Archives of Canada
Essay consisting of Edward VIII frame and the 1935 image of George VI
The portrait of the King in military uniform was rejected on January 22, 1937.
National Archives of Canada
On January 23, 1937, a model of the George VI stamp in civilian dress was approved:
National Archives of Canada
A photograph of the King in a business suit taken by Bertram Park on December 15 1936, just four days after his accession to the throne was chosen to be engraved for the stamp image.
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
Engraving Chronology on card to which Bertram photograph was attached
The engraving was started on January 26, 1937. The final engraving was approved on February 22, 1937. Non-denominated dies were produced in New York (American Bank Note Company).
Die proof, colour trial , steel engraving , blue
Text on the item : Proof of die received from New York # 2
National Archives of Canada
Die proof, colour trial , steel engraving , black
Text on the item : Proof of die received from New York # 4
National Archives of Canada
Die proof, colour trial , steel engraving , black
Text on the item : Proof of die received from New York 5
National Archives of Canada
The 2 cent engraved die was approved for printing on March 3, 1937.
National Archives of Canada
Approved die March 3, 1937
1 cent
National Archives of Canada
2 cent
National Archives of Canada
3 cent
National Archives of Canada
4 cent
National Archives of Canada
5 cent
National Archives of Canada
8 cent
National Archives of Canada
1938 Pictorial Definitives
Canada's pictorial stamps of 1938 featured images of Canadian geographical, and historical significance.
Essays
The archival material suggests that a nautical theme had been originally planned for the pictorials.
National Archives of Canada
The frame was adopted for the 50 cent Vancouver Harbour stamp
National Archives of Canada
The frame (without anchors) was adopted for the $1.00 Chateau de Ramezay stamp.
National Archives of Canada
10 cents Memorial Chamber, Peace Tower, Parliament Buildings
The Memorial Chamber, Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa was the subject of the 10 cent denomination. The Altar of Remembrance contains the roll of those who died in the wars for Canada and the Empire.
National Archives of Canada
Not from author's collection
Issued July 28, 1938
13 cents Halifax Harbour
Photographs of Halifax Harbour taken by W. R. MacAskill were used for the design of the 13 cent pictorial stamp.
Photograph 1
National Archives of Canada
Photograph 2 : Steam ship and sail boat
National Archives of Canada
Composite used for the stamp design
Not from author's collection
Issued November 15, 1938
20 cents Fort Garry Gate, Winnipeg
The 20 cent stamp depicted the old Fort Garry Gate at Winnipeg, Manitoba.
National Archives of Canada
Not from author's collection
Issued June 15, 1938
50 cents Vancouver Harbour
This design based on a photograph by W.J. Moore shows the view of Vancouver Harbour from West Bay on the northern side of the entrance to the Harbour where the Lookout at the Narrows is situated. Prospect Point and part of the city appear in the background and in the distance is Mount Baker in the State of Washington.
National Archives of Canada
Not from author's collection
Issued June 15, 1938
$1.00 Chateau de Ramezay, Montreal
The Chateau Ramezay located in Montreal was built in 1703 by Claude de Ramezay, the eleventh Governor of Montreal, and served as headquarters for the Continental Army under General Montgomery in 1775-76. The Chateau has been a museum since 1895.
National Archives of Canada
Not from author's collection
Issued June 15, 1938
6 cents Air Mail : Mackenzie River, Northwest Territories
The air mail stamp features a composite scene on the Mackenzie River, Northwest Territories which includes the SS. Distibutor , a shallow-draft stern-wheeler, a group of men carrying supplies to and from the landing stage, and a twin- engined monoplane, equipped with floats.
Photos: design reference material and artwork used for the design of 6 cent air mail and 10 cent Memorial Chamber
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
Die proof , steel engraving on india paper sunk on card , steel-blue
Not from author's collection
Issued June 15, 1938
Special Delivery: Canadian Coat of Arms
The special delivery rate at the beginning of the "Mufti" period was 20 cents for which a 20 cent special delivery stamp was issued. The special delivery rate was reduced to 10 cents on March 1, 1939. To meet the need for 10 cent special delivery stamps, 20 cent stamps were overprinted 10 cents. The overprints were only current until March 31, 1938. On April 1, 1939, a new 10 cent denomination special delivery stamp was issued.
20 cents Special Delivery
National Archives of Canada
Montage of various engraved and painted parts.
Not from author's collection
Issued June 15, 1938 (released with pictorial issue)
10 cents Overprint
Not from author's collection
Issued March 1, 1939
10 cents Special Delivery
Not from author's collection
Issued April 1, 1939
