On January 23, 1956, the Canada Post Office Department issued a 5 cent Hockey commemorative stamp. A few days after the issue date, the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen, the 1955 Canadian amateur hockey champions, represented Canada at the 1956 Winter Olympics. The Canadian team came home with the bronze medal. Gold and silver were won by the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. respectively.
The hockey stamp was designed by James Simpkins.
Essays
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
Die Proofs
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
First Day Covers
Kitchener, January 23, 1956
Barrel cancellation
Kitchener, January 23 1956
THE HOME OF CANADA'S OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM 1956 slogan
M.P. William Benidickson mailed this first day cover to Australia
5 cents preferred Commonwealth surface letter rate
William Benidickson enjoyed a long parliamentary career. He was the Liberal MP for the Kenora riding from 1945 to 1965, then sat in the Senate from 1965 to 1985. Benidickson was the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance when this cover was mailed.
Camrose to Beirut, January 23, 1956
Beirut receiver, February 29, 1956
Usages
Domestic Forward Letter
Huntingdon to Oshawa, February 13, 1956
5 cents forward letter rate
Kapuskasing to Port Hood, March 19, 1956
5 cents forward letter rate + 20 cents registration fee
US Surface Letter
North Bay to East Lansing, April 16, 1956
5 cents US surface letter rate
UPU Surface Letter
Ottawa to Amsterdam, February 19, 1956
6 cents UPU letter rate
Shortpaid 1 cent and taxed 10 centimes (the minimum)
Netherlands taxe 9 cents
Postage Due meter : 9 cents
International Air Mail
Montreal to Zatec, Czechoslovakia, March 28, 1956
15 cents one-half ounce air mail letter rate to Europe
Zatec receiver April 11, 1956
The letter was opened for customs inspection
"Without Customs Duties and Levies" handstamp