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
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