Millennium 67 : IMAX - A New Kind of Movie

[This post is another in a series  profiling each of the 68 stamps issued by Canada Post Corporation on September 15, 1999 on the occasion of the new Millennium. ]

The IMAX system has its roots in EXPO '67 in Montreal. A small group of Canadian designed a new system using a single, powerful projector, rather than the cumbersome multiple projectors used at that  time. The result: the IMAX motion picture projection system, which would revolutionize giant-screen cinema. IMAX technology premiered at the Fuji Pavilion, EXPO '70 in Osaka, Japan.

The first permanent IMAX projection system was introduced in 1971 at the Ontario Place Cinesphere. The Ontario Place Cinesphere has been featured on Pictorial Post Cards.

1971

1972

IMAX Corporation Greeting Card Envelope 1999

IMAX Corporation produced an envelope with the Millennium series design for its 1999 Christmas card. The envelope and card were also released through the Philatelic Agency in January 2000.




Private Order envelope

Millennium Stamp Formats

1.  Millennium Collection Album

The 68 Millennium stamps were first issued in a hardbound book, Canada Post The Millennium Collection : Expressions of a People, on September 15, 1999. The stamps were printed perforated with two stamps per page. 

The Imax and Softimage stamps were printed on the same page.

 

2. Millennium Collection Souvenir Sheet

Canada Post Corporation re-issued the Millennium stamps in panes of 4 stamps (recognized by stamp catalogues) issued over a three month period from December 17, 1999 to March 17, 2000.  The souvenir sheet with the Imax stamp was released on December 17, 1999.

Millennium 61 : Eric Lafferty Harvie - Alberta's Heart of Gold

[This post is another in a series  profiling each of the 68 stamps issued by Canada Post Corporation on September 15, 1999 on the occasion of the new Millennium. ]

 Eric Lafferty Harvie (circa 1940s)

Eric Lafferty Harvie (1892- 1975) was  a prominent Calgary lawyer, oilman, and philanthropist who was awarded the Order of Canada in 1968 for his service to the arts and the community. Harvie made his fortune when oil was discovered in Leduc (1947) and in Redwater (1949) on land to which he held the mineral rights.He was inducted posthumously into the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame in 2013.

In the 1950s, he began to collect art featuring the development of the Canadian west and First Nations, as well as artifacts from cultures worldwide. At the same time, he began to return his wealth to Albertans through several charitable foundations.  He established the Glenbow Foundation in 1954 which donated 200,00 artifacts to the Alberta government in 1966 as well as $6 million to build Calgary's Glenbow Museum.

Glenbow Museum, Calgary

Harvie's donations have supported many other institutions such as the Banff School of Fine Arts (now The Banff Centre), the Calgary Zoo, Heritage Park and the Luxton Museum in Banff (now Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum).

 In 1933, Harvie purchased the Glenbow Ranch located near Cochrane (30 km northwest of Calgary).

 Today the Glenbow Ranch is one of Alberta's newest provincial parks thanks to the generosity of  Harvie's grandchildren who sold the 3,000 acre property to the Alberta government in 2006 for less than market value.


Philatelic Link to Eric Harvie

Leduc No. 1 : 50 cent Definitive Stamp (1950)

On February 13, 1947, Leduc No. 1 oil well, southwest of Edmonton hit the motherlode on land to which Harvie owned the mineral rights. The huge oil strike  marked the birth of  Western Canada’s modern oil industry and has been called one of the most important economic discoveries in Canada’s history. On March 1, 1950, Canada Post Office issued a 50-cent definitive stamp in recognition of the oil discoveries in Alberta.

Designer Herman Herbert Schwartz relied on photographs of oil derricks, storage tanks, and a sludge flare to create a scene depicting an Alberta oil field.

National Archives of Canada

Schwartz collage
National Archives of Canada

Silas Robert Allen engaving
National Archives of Canada

First Day Covers

Millennium Stamp Formats

1.  Millennium Collection Album

The 68 Millennium stamps were first issued in a hardbound book, Canada Post The Millennium Collection : Expressions of a People, on September 15, 1999. The stamps were printed perforated with two stamps per page. 

The Eric Lafferty Harvie and Macdonald Stewaet Foundation stamps were printed on the same page.

 

2. Millennium Collection Souvenir Sheet

Canada Post Corporation re-issued the Millennium stamps in panes of 4 stamps issued over a three month period from December 17, 1999 to March 17, 2000.  The souvenir sheet with the Eric Lafferty Harvie stamp was released on February 17, 2000.

Millennium 51 : Dr. Hans Selye - Documenting the Stress of Life

[This post is another in a series  profiling each of the 68 stamps issued by Canada Post Corporation on September 15, 1999 on the occasion of the new Millennium. ]

Canada Post issued a stamp for its "Millenniun Collection" honoring Vienna-born endocrinologist Hans Selye (1907-1982) whose scientific work at the Université de Montréal  greatly increased our understanding of the biological factors causing stress and of how to control it.

The Canadian Institute of Stress , founded by Dr. Selye, provides this biography on its website:

Hans Selye is internationally acknowledged as "the father of the stress field" and, as such, a Canadian resource to the world. Since publishing the first scientific paper to identify and define "stress" in 1936, Dr. Selye wrote more than 1700 scholarly papers and 39 books on the subject. At the time of his death in late 1982, his work had been cited in more than 362,000 scientific papers, and in countless popular magazine stories, in most major languages and in all countries worldwide. He is still by far the world's most frequently cited author on stress topics. 

 Dr. Selye gained enduring international respect not only for his scientific innovations, but equally for his commitment to sharing the practical benefits of his work with everyday people. Two of his books, "The Stress of Life" and "Stress Without Distress" were unequalled bestsellers (the latter in 17 languages). His collaborative research with Dr. Richard Earle, resulted in his two final contributions "Stress and the Workplace" and "Your Vitality Quotient".

Selye Correspondence 1944

The postcard shown below, signed by Dr. Selye. is a request for a reprint of a scientific article written by Dr. R. Choisy in Rev. Med. de la Suisse Romande.

Montreal to Geneva Switzerland,  September 12, 1944



Millennium Stamp Formats

1.  Millennium Collection Album

The 68 Millennium stamps were first issued in a hardbound book, Canada Post The Millennium Collection : Expressions of a People, on September 15, 1999. The stamps were printed perforated with two stamps per page. 

The Millennium Collection book and the stamps printed in the book have not been recognized by the Unitrade Specialized Catalogue of Canadian Stamps  because  of the "limited edition" (200,000 books) and the "excessive surcharge over face value". The book which sold for $59.99 contained stamps with a total face value of  $40.28.

The Dr. Hans Selye and Maude Abbott stamps were printed on the same page.

2. Millennium Collection Souvenir Sheet

Canada Post Corporation re-issued the Millennium stamps in panes of 4 stamps (recognized by stamp catalogues) issued over a three month period from December 17, 1999 to March 17, 2000.  The souvenir sheet with the Dr. Hans Selye stamp was released on January 17, 2000.

Standard UPU and Reduced International Surface Letter Rates : Nov. 1, 1968 to June 30, 1971

[A recent addition to my Centennial collection is the subject of today's post.]

a) Standard UPU International Surface Letter Rate 

From November 1, 1968 to June 30, 1971, the international surface letter rate (up to 1 oz.) was 12 cents  to destinations other than the United States and other preferred countries  The cover below was mailed from Winnipeg to Nuremberg, Germany, on May 6, 1969 and franked with a pair of 6 cent Centennial definitives. The post office had not issued a 12 cent stamp.

b) Reduced International Surface Letter Rate 

The Universal Postal Union has permitted postal authorities to establish restricted Unions and make special agreements among themselves concerning the matters covered by the UPU Convention and Regulations. This provision allowed Canada to set lower letter rates to the United Kingdom and the British Empire/ Commonwealth, the United States, Mexico, France, the North and South American Continents, and Spain.  From November 1, 1968 to June 30, 1971, the surface letter rate was 6 cents for the first ounce.

 The special rate was abolished on July 1, 1971 when the 15 cents per ounce "all-up"international letter rate was  The 1969 Centennial period cover shown below (newly added to my collection) is an example of the last reduced surface letter  rate to France. Such covers are not often seen.

 Moose Jaw to Nice, France, July 29, 1969

6 cents reduced surface letter rate to France

(Readers may wonder how a collector can be assured that a cover such as the one above was actually sent to the written address when there are no transit or receiver markings. There are several indicia which point to authenticity. In this case, I purchased this cover from a vendor living in Lavandou, France, about 120 km from Nice for a nominal amount.) 

 

International Air Mail Letter Rates Part 2: Elizabethan Era 1953 - 1971

This is the second in a two-part consolidation of earlier articles dealing with air mail letter rates to international destinations other than to the United States. In this posting, rates in effect during the reign of Queen Elizabeth up to 1971 are presented. On July 1, 1971, the international letter rate to all destinations other than the United States was set at 15 cents per ounce ending the distinction between air mail and surface letter mail for items weighing up to 8 ounces. 

Organization

I. 1953-1954 : Karsh Issue

a) To June 30,1953
b) From July 1, 1953

II. 1954 - 1963 : Wilding Issue

III. 1963 - !967 : Cameo Period

IV. 1967 - 1971 : Centennial Issue

 a) To June 30, 1971
 b) From July 1, 1971

I. 1953 - 1954 : Karsh Issue

a) To June 30, 1953 

 Bermuda, Mexico, Central and South America, West Indies

The rate was 10 cents for each quarter ounce until June 30, 1953.

[Not shown]


Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Europe

The rate was 15 cents for each quarter ounce to June 30, 1953.


Toronto to Geneva, Switzerland, June 24 1953
15 cents one quarter ounce air mail letter rate



Toronto to London, March 23 1953
15 cents one quarter ounce air mail letter rate


Asia, Africa, Oceania

The air mail letter rate was 25 cents for each quarter ounce until June 30, 1953.


Penticton to Lagos, Nigeria, May 6 1953
25 cents one quarter ounce air mail letter rate



Montreal to Calcutta, India, June 25, 1953
25 cents one quarter ounce air mail letter rate


b) From July 1, 1953

 

 Bermuda, Mexico, Central and South America, West Indies

The rate was reduced from 10 cents for each quarter ounce to 10 cents for each half-ounce on July 1, 1953.


Toronto to Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 31 1953
10 cents one half ounce air mail letter rate


Montreal to Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 1 1953
10 cents one half ounce air mail letter rate


Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Europe

 The rate was reduced from 15 cents for each quarter-ounce to 15 cents for each half-ounce on July 1, 1953.


Toronto to Copenhagen Denmark, January 5, 1954
15 cents one half ounce air mail letter rate



Levis to Liege, Belgium, December 7 1953
15 cents one half ounce ounce air mail letter rate


Asia, Africa, Oceania

The rate was reduced from 25 cents for each quarter-ounce to 25 cents for each half-ounce on July 1, 1953.


Calgary to Port Morseby, Papua, July 12, 1953
25 cents one half ounce air mail letter rate


II. 1954 - 1963 : Wilding Period

The international air mail letter rates were unchanged during the Wilding period.

Bermuda, Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies

The rate was 10 cents for each half ounce.


Vancouver to Colon, Panama, August 3, 1956
10 cents air mail rate to Central America


Toronto to Sousfriere, St. Lucia, November 21 1957
10 cents one-half ounce air mail rate to the West Indies


Ottawa to French St. Martin Island, French West Indies, August 7 1957
10 cent air mail rate to the West Indies


Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Europe

The rate was 15 cents for each half ounce.


Assistant Secretary to the Governor General, Ottawa to London, August 15, 1960
15 cents one half ounce air mail letter rate
Stamps overprinted "G"



Edmonton to Newcastle-on-Tyne, May 12, 1960
15 cents air mail letter rate
Canadian Pacific perfins


Arborg, Manitoba to Reykjavik, Iceland, March 3 1959
15 cents air mail letter rate


Edmonton to Glasgow, Scotland, March 11, 1960
15 cents air mail letter rate


Asia, Africa, Oceania

The air mail letter rate was 25 cents for each half ounce.


Toronto to Dahran, Saudi Arabia, November 28 1959
25 cents one half ounce air mail rate



Toronto to Taipei, Taiwan, December 7, 1955
25 cents air mail letter rate



Montreal to Tokyo, August 15, 1957
25 cents air mail letter rate
Re-mailed in Japan, 35 yen stamp cancelled August 22, 1957



Ladysmith to Hong Kong, January 3, 1958
25 cents air mail letter rate
Re-mailed from Hong Kong to London, January 8, 1958 ($1.30 postage)



Barrie to Adamstown, Pitcairn Islands, July 27, 1959
25 cents air mail letter rate
Pitcairn Islands receiver July 24, 1959



Ottawa to Amkhut, India, April 16 1956
25 cents paying the 1/2 ounce air mail rate



Clinton to Seoul, October 28 1955
50 cents paying the 1 ounce air mail rate (2 x 25 cents/ 1/2 ounce)

IV. 1963 - 1967 : Cameo Period

The international air mail letter rates introduced on July 1, 1953, remained in effect during the Cameo  period.

 Bermuda, Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies

The rate was 10 cents for each half ounce.


Rockglen to Quezeltenago, Guatemala, September 1966
10 cents one-half ounce air mail rate to Central America


Machine receiver September 29, 1966
Quezeltenago receiver September 30, 1966



Beachville to Rio Cuarto, Argentina, May 17, 1965
10 cents one-half ounce rate to South America


Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Europe

The rate was 15 cents for each half ounce.


Tete Jaune Cache, B.C., to Norwich, England, February 16, 1963
15 cents paying the one-half ounce air mail rate
Jasper and Prince George R.P.O. (135) handstamp



Toronto to Digby, England, June 7, 1963
15 cents one-half ounce rate



Toronto to Wolfsburg, West Germany, October 26, 1964
15 cents one-half ounce rate to Europe



Kitchener to Stockholm, December 19, 1964
15 cents one-half ounce rate



Downsview to s'Gravenhage, November 21, 1965



Lachute to Milan, May 18, 1964
15 cents one-half ounce rate to Europe


Asia, Africa, Oceania

The air mail letter rate was 25 cents for each half ounce.


Toronto to Holon, October 27, 1962
25 cents one-half ounce rate



Calgary to Kobe, Japan, December 31, 1966
25 cent rate to Asia



Downsview to Gadag, India, October 1, 1964
25 cent rate to India



Goderich to Gilbert and Ellice Islands, November 13, 1963
25 cents air mail letter rate

St. Francois de Laval to Cotonou, Dahomey
25 cents air mail letter rate



Sorel to Elizabethville, Congo, December 21, 1964
25 cent rate to Africa



Vancouver to Utulei Vava'u, July 31, 1966
25 cent rate to Oceania



Vancouver to Numurkah, Western Australia, December 17, 1963
25 cent rate to Oceania
Redirected at Numurkah, January 8, 1964



Camp Borden to Accra, Ghana, December 7 1965
50 cents paying the 1 ounce air mail rate


 V. 1967 - 1971 : Centennial Issue

At the start of the Centennial period, February 8, 1967, there were three international air mail rate destinations in effect (excluding the United States). The rates were simplified during the period and on July 1, 1971 a 15 cent (1st ounce) letter rate to all destinations was introduced.


 Bermuda, Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies

 10 cent rate To May 31, 1967

The air mail letter rate to destinations in the Western hemisphere was 10 cents for each half ounce, and was in effect from April 1, 1954 to May 30, 1967.

Jamaica

 Vancouver to Linstead, April 18, 1967

10 cent air mail letter rate to the West Indies

Chile

Toronto to Santiago, April 5, 1967

10 cents air mail letter rate to South America

 Argentina

Beauharnois to Cordoba, February 16, 1967

10 cents air mail letter rate

15 cent rate from June 1, 1967

On June 1, 1967, the air mail letter rate to destinations in the Western Hemisphere was increased to 15 cents for each half ounce, the same as the rate to Great Britain, Ireland and Europe.


Trinidad

North Surrey to Port of Spain, August 9, 1967

15 cents air mail letter rate

Mexico

Victoria to Mexico City, July 22, 1969

15 cents air mail letter rate

Argentina

Windsor to Cordoba, August 22, 1968

15 cents air mail letter rate

Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Europe

Great Britain

 Victoria to Old Windsor, December 14, 1967

15 cents air mail letter rate to Great Britain

German Federal Republic

Vancouver to Munich, July 31, 1967

15 cents air mail letter rate to Europe

 German Democratic Republic

Levis to Treuen, May 12, 1968

15 cents air mail letter rate to Europe

France

Montreal to Paris, June 22, 1967

15 cents air mail letter rate to Europe

 Switzerland

Montreal to Nietikon, June 15, 1967

15 cents air mail letter rate to Switzerland

Iceland

Toronto to Icelnad, December 16, 1969

15 cents air mail letter rate to Europe

Italy

Toronto to Rome, December 28, 1967

15 cents air mail letter rate to Europe

Africa, Asia and Oceania

The air mail letter rate to destinations in Africa, Asia and Oceania was 25 cents for each half ounce.

Kenya

Victoria to Ugunja, Kenya, February 25, 1967

25 cents air mail letter rate

Bahrain

New Westminster to Awali, December 7, 1968

25 cents air mail letter rate

India

Islington to Amristsar, December 18, 1970

25 cents air mail letter rate

South Africa

 Vernon to Johannesburg, May 25, 1971

25 cents air mail letter rate

 Egypt

 Montreal to Alexandria, April 7, 1970

25 cents air mail letter rate

 Australia

Victoria to Melbourne, January 2, 1969

25 cents air mail letter rate

 Singapore

Montreal to Singapore, February 24, 1971

25 cents air mail letter rate

B. From July 1, 1971

On July 1 1971, the international air mail letter rate to all countries (excluding the U.S.) was set at 15 cents per ounce. More significantly, the surface and air mail rates for items up to 8 ounces to all destinations were the same, effectively eliminating the surface letter rate for items weighing up to 8 ounces.

 Slogan cancellation to advise mailers of the change in international postal rates. Surface letter rates were no longer in effect.

Rates per item:

i)1 oz. or less------------------------ .15
ii) more than 1 oz. but
not more than 2 oz.------------------.30
iii)more than 2 oz. but
not more than 4 oz.------------------.40
iv) more than 4 oz. but
no more than 8 oz.-------------------.90

For air mail letters weighing more than 8 ounces there were two rate destinations (excluding the USA):

• Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Europe, Bermuda, Mexico, Central and South America, West Indies:

v) more than 8 oz. but
not more than 12 oz.----------------2.00
vi)more than 12 oz. but
not more than 1 lb.------------------2.80
vi) each additional 4 oz.
or fraction thereof--------------------.80

• All other countries

v) more than 8 oz. but
not more than 12 oz.----------------3.50
vi)more than 12 oz. but
not more than 1 lb.------------------4.50
vi) each additional 4 oz.
or fraction thereof-------------------1.40

Great Britain

  Whitehorse to Westminster, August 1971

15 cents international letter rate for the 1st ounce

Sweden

 Kitchener-Waterloo to Stockholm, December 13, 1971

15 cents international letter rate for the 1st ounce

 India

Toronto to Delhi, December 17, 1971

15 cents international letter rate for the 1st ounce

Japan

 Ottawa to Tokyo, March 5, 1973

15 cents international letter rate for the 1st ounce

Australia

Bleinheim to New Lambton, September 22, 1972

15 cents international letter rate for the 1st ounce