OTTAWA (July 2, 2009) –Today, Canada Post issued a quartet of stamps to celebrate the efforts of four musicians who made remarkable contributions to the Canadian music scene: international rock superstar Bryan Adams, renowned folklorist Stompin’ Tom Connors, pioneer in French-Canadian rock, Robert Charlebois, and Acadian singing sensation Édith Butler.
“A sequel to our very popular 2007 Canadian Recording Artists* series, these stamps showcase four individuals who helped build today’s thriving Canadian music industry,” said Robert Waite, Chairman of the Stamp Advisory Committee and Senior vice-president, Corporate Social Responsibility at Canada Post. "As a Global Superstar, Bryan Adams took Canadian music around the world and helped develop an infrastructure to propel other Canadians to the top of the charts. Stompin’ Tom Connors protested the policies he felt were hindering Canada’s artistic potential with songs that have become Canadian anthems. Robert Charlebois gave voice to and furthered the development of the chanson, and Édith Butler promoted a familiarity with and appreciation for Acadian culture in Canada and around the world. Together, these four artists have written a text book for music industry success.”
The stamps are square in format, and feature a monochromatic photo of each artist alongside his or her Order of Canada insignia. To reflect the stardom of these “living legends,” each is captured in the limelight by using close-cropped images that make it look like they are standing in a spotlight. The two cancellation sites of Timmins, Ontario and Paquetville, New Brunswick were chosen because of their relevance to these Canadian icons: Timmins is where Stompin’ Tom Connors was first recognized, and Paquetville is the small Acadian village where Édith Butler was born and raised.
About the stamps Each of the four 54-cent stamps measures 32 mm x 32 mm (square) with simulated perforations. Lowe-Martin printed four million stamps, which are sold in a booklet of eight and 275,000 souvenir sheets containing 4 PVA gum stamps presented in a CD-shape. The pressure-sensitive stamps were printed using lithography in nine colours plus varnish on Tullis Russell paper. They are general tagged on four sides.
Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the News section of Canada Post's website
www.canadapost.ca and photos of these new stamps are also available. Stamps and other products will be available at participating post offices, or can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website, canadapost.ca/collection, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA, call toll-free: 1 800 565-4362, and from other countries, call: 902 863-6550.
