Canadian flight pioneer J.A.D. McCurdy made Canada's first powered flight in the Silver Dart at Baddeck, N.S., on February 23, 1909. Fifty years later, on the anniversary date of McCurdy's historic flight, the Canada Post Office Department issued a 5 cent commemorative stamp featuring the Silver Dart and the silhouettes of three modern delta-winged jets resembling the AVRO Arrow interceptor whose controversial cancellation by the Diefenbaker government had just been announced on February 20, 1959.
Archival Photographs
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
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
National Archives of Canada
Approved Models
Designer : Harvey Thomas Prosser
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
National Archives of Canada
Trial Die Proof
Issued Stamp
National Archives of Canada
First Day Covers
Baddeck, N.S., February 23 1959
A reconstruction of the Silver Dart was built by volunteers from the Royal Canadian Air Force between 1956 and 1958 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first flight. The aircraft flew over Baddeck Bay on the day of the anniversary with the original pilot J.A.D. McCurdy in attendance, but the plane crashed due to high winds.
Usages
Domestic Letter Rate
Pickering to Toronto, March 5, 1959
5 cents forward letter rate
Clarkleigh, Man., to Regina, May 2, 1959
5 cents forward letter rate + 20 cents registration
International Air Mail
Edmonton to Lepzig, Germany, April 30, 1959
15 cents one-half ounce air mail rate to Europe
St. Eustache to Trogen, Switzerland, March 12, 1959
15 cents one-half ounce air mail rate to Europe
First Day Covers
Baddeck, N.S., February 23 1959
A reconstruction of the Silver Dart was built by volunteers from the Royal Canadian Air Force between 1956 and 1958 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first flight. The aircraft flew over Baddeck Bay on the day of the anniversary with the original pilot J.A.D. McCurdy in attendance, but the plane crashed due to high winds.
Usages
Domestic Letter Rate
Pickering to Toronto, March 5, 1959
5 cents forward letter rate
Clarkleigh, Man., to Regina, May 2, 1959
5 cents forward letter rate + 20 cents registration
International Air Mail
Edmonton to Lepzig, Germany, April 30, 1959
15 cents one-half ounce air mail rate to Europe
St. Eustache to Trogen, Switzerland, March 12, 1959
15 cents one-half ounce air mail rate to Europe
