Postal History Corner

Thursday, September 23, 2010

1962 Trans-Canada Highway

The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada.The system was approved by the Trans-Canada Highway Act of 1948,construction commenced in 1950, officially opened in 1962, and was completed in 1971.

Throughout much of Canada, there are at least two routes designated as part of the Trans-Canada Highway. For example, in the western provinces, both the main Trans-Canada route and the Yellowhead Highway are part of the Trans-Canada system.

The Trans-Canada Highway stamp was issued on August 31, 1962.

Official Opening

Ceremonial Paving
Prime Minister John Diefenbaker

On September 3, 1962, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker presided over the official opening of the Trans-Canada Highway at Rogers Pass. The section of pavement through British Columbia's Selkirk Mountains was the final stretch of the highway to be built.

Official Programme

Essays

National Archives of Canada

Colour Trials

National Archives of Canada

Issued Stamp

National Archives of Canada

Designed by Alan Pollock

First Day Covers

Usages

Domestic Forward Letter

Port Rowan to Tillsonburg, September 20, 1962
5 cents forward letter rate

Military NATO Forces

CFPO 111, Decimomannu, Italy, to New York, October 23, 1962
5 cents Forces Air Letter rate

Air Mail Letter to the United States

Cranbrook to Post Orchard, Wash., September 24, 1962
7 cents air mail letter rate to the United States

International Air Mail

Cut Knife, Sask., to Valiason, Italy, September 10, 1962
15 cents air mail rate to Europe

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

1962 Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is Western Canada's oldest city. The City began in 1843 as a Hudson Bay Company trading post, named in honour of Queen Victoria. With the Fraser Valley gold rush in 1858, Victoria grew rapidly as the main port of entry to the Colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia.

Victoria was incorporated as a City on August 2, 1862. When the colonies combined, the City became the colonial capital and was established as the provincial capital when British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation in 1871.

Helen Roberta Fitzgerald designed the Victoria Centennial postage stamp which was issued on August 22, 1962.

Essays