Canada Year of the Ox FDC

Canada FDC
Name: Year of the Ox
Date of Issue: 08 January 2009

Launching a period of prosperity through fortitude and hard work, the Year of the Ox runs from January 26, 2009, to February 13, 2010. People born under the sign of the Ox are strongly influenced by the earth element, which is associated with qualities of stability, industry and practicality.

Comment: Canada Post used many special innovative printing techniques for this stamp - Printing Process: Lithography in 6 colours plus two foil stampings and embossing plus varnish. Canada Post has increased its post rate since 12th January, 2009. The "P" stamps increased from 52c to 54c, and international destinations rate increased from $1.60 to $1.65. But this FDC was sent on 8th January, 2009. The 3 "P" stamps plus 3c stamp is $1.59, it didn't reach the international destinations rate ($1.60).

2009 Year of the Ox
Canada FDC
China Stamp, Sheetlet II, Booklet.
Hong Kong Stamps FDC, Minisheet FDC, Souvenir Sheet FDC, Pre-stamped Postcard.
Indonesia Stamps FDC, Souvenir Sheet FDC.
Singapore Stamps FDC, Souvenir Sheet FDC.
Taiwan Stamps FDCs, Souvenir Sheet FDCs, Pre-stamped Postcards.
USA FDC

Canada Winter Fun FDC

Canada FDC
Name: Christmas: Winter Fun
Date of Issue: 03 November 2008

Christmas is a time of tradition and childhood memories. It's the joy of making snow angels at first snowfall, of slipping and sliding, then finally gliding down a frozen slope as you learn to ski, or racing, rosy-cheeked and breathless with excitement, down a snow-packed hill on a new Christmas toboggan. It's the season of keeping warm with hand-knitted hats and scarves – in colours inspired by traditional Christmas decorating and greeting cards – no doubt crafted by a loving grandmother.

These charming images of a child's Christmas, created using block prints hand-tinted with coloured pencils and pastels, invite all generations to once again experience the chilly bliss of playing in new fallen snow. They make our memories of the fun shared with family and friends in winters long ago so real, you can almost smell the hot chocolate.

Comment: Will you think this FDC was overpaid? Actually not, the "up to 20g" postage rate to China is 1.60 CAD, because the high value of this set, my friend added 0.62 CAD to reach the higher postage rate (up to 100g: 3.75 CAD). Well done!!

2009 Christmas FDCs:
Estonia, Israel, Lithuania.

2008 Christmas FDCs:
Canada: The Nativity, Canada: Winter Fun, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania.

2007 Christmas FDCs:
Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, Ukraine, Vatican.

Canada Christmas FDC

Canada FDC
Name: Christmas: The Nativity
Date of Issue: 03 November 2008

This scene of Mary placing Jesus in the manger is one of many artistic depictions of a seminal moment in Christianity. The birth of Jesus has been told and retold in books, oral stories, murals, paintings, stain glass windows and frescos all over the world. The repetition of the nativity story is an example of a culture-spanning tradition of artistically rendering religious symbols and images in different art forms and periods.

This stamp features Antonio Caruso's traditional sculpture of Mary looking over Jesus in his makeshift crib. The stamp, a work of art in its own right, focuses on the baby who, in this artistic rendition forgoes the swaddling clothes.

Comment: I know my friend sent this FDC on issue day (3rd Nov.), but the machine postmark canceled this FDC on 4th Nov.

2009 Christmas FDCs:
Estonia, Israel, Lithuania.

2008 Christmas FDCs:
Canada: The Nativity, Canada: Winter Fun, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania.

2007 Christmas FDCs:
Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, Ukraine, Vatican.

Canada Summit FDC

Canada FDC
Name: XII Summit of la Francophonie
Date of Issue: 15 October 2008

As it celebrates the 400th anniversary of its founding, Québec City hosted the XII Summit of la Francophonie from October 17 to 19, 2008. Considered the birthplace of French culture in North America, the city welcomed 68 heads of State and member governments of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). Aware of the important role that French language and culture play in its national life, Canada was one of the founders of the Agence de coopération culturelle et technique (ACCT), which later became the OIF. This marks the third summit to take place in Canada, with past summits held in Québec City in 1987 and Moncton in 1999.

The OIF's mission is to promote peace, democracy and human rights. This organization makes a major contribution to education, training and research, and is committed to fighting poverty through a strategy of sustainable development and solidarity.

Canadians take pride in welcoming representatives of the XII Summit of la Francophonie, as they add an important page to Canada's history.

The stamp features a striking photograph of Québec City with rich magentas and oranges worked into the background—colours inspired by the Société du 400e anniversaire de Québec's campaign colours. The skyline of the stamp includes the names of all participating countries, and the image of downtown Québec showcases some of the city's most stunning architecture and overlooks the St. Lawrence River.

Designer Ian Drolet explains the design by blending two concepts, "The names of the participating countries listed across the top capture this international aspect, including the sense of solidarity upon which the OIF is founded. Meanwhile, the photograph of Québec City in the background evokes the city's role as the cradle of French civilization in North America."

Comment: This is the first time that I see most countries' name on a single stamp, is that a Guinness World Records? How many? Please enlarge the image and count it by yourself!

Canada Mental Health FDC

Canada FDC
Name: Mental Health (Semi-postal Stamp)
Date of Issue: 06 October 2008

One in five Canadians will experience some form of mental illness over the course of their lives. Many more will be affected by the illness of a family member, friend or colleague. Today, mental health issues are beginning to be addressed with greater understanding and less fear, an approach that is increasing access to treatment and diminishing the stigma of mental illness. The release of this semi-postal stamp coincides with Mental Illness Awareness Week, which aims to shed light on the many challenges faced by those dealing with the impact of mental illness. While much progress has been achieved, there still is much to be done to ensure that all Canadians living with mental illness have the resources and support to lead fuller and more independent lives. This is why mental health is Canada Post's Cause of Choice – and why we have initiated the Canada Post Foundation fro Mental Health.

The digitally-enhanced photograph on the stamp features a figure stepping out of the shadows, using a mega-phone to broadcast the plight of mental health patients. The stamp cancellation site will be Ottawa, as the city is home to the Foundation's headquarters.

Comment: This is the 3rd series semi-postal stamps in Canada history. The 1st series were issued between 1974 and 1976 to support the Olympic Games in Montreal, and the 2nd series was issued in 1996 to support literacy in Canada.

Canada Animals FDC

Canada FDC
Name: Endangered Species
Date of Issue: 01 October 2008

Denominations:
52c: Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)
Named for the yellow vestments of the pope's legal advisor, the Prothonotary Warbler has a golden head and breast, blue-grey wings and a black tail. The few that remain of this species can be seen along Lakes Erie and Huron.

52c: Taylor's Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori)
Found in Canada in a single location on southeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the Taylor's Checkerspot owes its name to its colour patterns. these small to medium-sized butterlies are weak flyers that seldom stray far from the plants they eat.

52c: Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)
Smaller than a gull, the Roseate Tern is distinguished by its forked tail and black bill and cap. Noted for speed and manoeuvrability, this East Coast bird beats its wings rapidly and calls persistently.

52c: Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
The only owl to live in burrows and hunt both day and night, the Burrowing Owl is found in the prairie regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Comment: This is my first imperforated self-adhesive stamps FDC, although this is a antitraditional materials. But I think it will be the popular trends, we will see many imperforated self-adhesive stamps in the future.

Canada McLaughlin FDC

Canada FDC
Name: Sam McLaughlin
Date of Issue: 08 September 2008

Sam McLaughlin was born in Enniskillen, Ontario, on September 8, 1871. At 16, he began his career as an apprentice upholsterer in his family's small carriage factory, earning a weekly wage of just $3, all but 50c of which went to his father for room and board. He eventually became an official partner in the McLaughlin Carriage Works and when automobiles first hit North American roads, he successfully modernized the company. The McLaughlin Motor Car Company was sold to General Motors at the end of 118, and under Sam's leadership, General Motors of Canada grew to be a key force in one of the world's leading industries.

Sam also established the R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation, which donated $200 million to organizations, charities and individuals. He left an indelible mark on Canadian society and business, and established himself as one of the greatest entrepreneurs in the country's history, never straying from the original McLaughlin motto - "One Grade Only and that the Best."

In addition to a portrait of Sam McLaughlin, the stamp depicts McLaughlin employee Joseph Mills driving a McLaughlin-Buick (circa 1912). More...

Comment: Have you seen the round Canadian local postmark on modern envelopes?? this is the first time for me.

Canada BC 150 FDC

Canada FDC
Name: British Columbia's 150th Anniversary
Issue date: 01 August 2008

It could be said that a rich part of British Columbia's history lies in the creek beds and shallow pools of the Fraser River.

During the 1850s, thousands of hopeful, would-be millionaires flocked to central B.C. and the Fraser with big dreams of discovering gold. In March 1858, excitement reached a fever pitch, when the schooner Wild Pigeon landed in Washington Territory, now Washington State, with news of natives trading gold from the Fraser River to the Hudson's Bay Company. The resulting "rush" triggered an influx of some 30,000 prospectors, miners and those simply hoping to strike it rich.

The gold rush, combined with the expansionist policy of the United States, worried James Douglas (1803-1877), governor of Vancouver Island. The threat to British sovereignty from the incoming waves of gold seekers from the U.S. was very real to Douglas, and in his reports to London he painted a grave picture of the situation.

Acting quickly, the British Parliament passed an act in August 1858 to establish a crown colony on the Pacific mainland. The official ceremony proclaiming the Crown Colony of British Columbia took place on November 19, 1858, at Fort Langley.

To celebrate British Columbia's 150th anniversary and recognize the pivotal role of the Fraser River Gold Rush in the province's creation. Canada Post is issuing a domestic rate 52c stamp on August 1, 2008.

The stamp features a gold-panning image in which a panner's rugged hand outlines the province's eastern border. The image is superimposed over a modern-day map of B.C., including the Queen Charlotte Islands, which weren't part of the colony 150 years ago.

Comment: Canada Post made too many machine postmarks on this FDC, but they still forgot to cancel the left two stamps. BTW, the illustration of this FDC is very special. Could you see James Douglas Map?

Canada Lifesaving FDC

Canada FDC
Name: Lifesaving Society: 1908-2008
Issue date: 25 July 2008

In 19th century Europe, little attention was paid to protecting swimmers. This made the sport dangerous, and drowning was alarmingly common. This changed in 1891, when popular British swimming champion William Henry created the Swimmers' Life Saving Society. His idea quickly crossed the ocean to Canada where English immigrant Arthur Lewis Cochrane taught lifesaving skills to students at Toronto's Upper Canada College. In 1908, the first branch of the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada held its inaugural meeting in Toronto.

More than 500,000 Canadians are certified in swimming, lifesaving, lifeguarding and leadership courses each year. The Lifesaving Society is a member of the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth and represents Canada in the International Life Saving Federation.

Comment: I was stunned when I received this FDC, somebody had opened it during the way. Suddenly, I remembered my friend's notice: Canada Custom often opens the letter from China or to China. I don't know their purpose, but it's really bad. :(

Canada Olympic Games FDC

Canada FDC
Name: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Date of Issue: 18 July 2008

Canada Post salutes the Canadian athletes participating in the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. In August, more than 340 athletes, all with dreams of winning gold, will represent our nation in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Our athletes will compete in at least 30 events, spanning almost every competitive discipline. The Canadian Olympic Committee is encouraging excellence and setting the bar high, with the objective of Canada finishing with in the top 16 countries in total medal count.

Following the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the attention shifts homeward as we prepare to host the 2010 Winter Games. In February 2010, Vancouver and Whistler will become the meeting place for athletes from around the world, each one vying to bring home glory.

The stamp features an abstract image of an athlete with hands overhead carrying a flag. On this issue, the strong colours of red, black and gold figure prominently on a clean white background.

Comment: This is my first real posted FDC from Canada. It's very hard to make registered real posted FDC from Canada, because their registered postage is quite expensive. The local postmark on this FDC is a two-colour pictorial postmark, it's very special.

Estonia 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Gold Medalist Autographed FDC
Estonia 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Silver Medalists Autographed Postal Stationery

2008 Beijing Olympic Games FDCs:
Algeria, Belarus, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Estonia Sheetlet, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Hong Kong M/S, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Portugal M/S, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Ukraine.

2008 Beijing Paralympic Games FDCs:
Czech Republic, Slovakia.