Big Blue 1840-1940: Canada Pictorials 1908-1931

1929 Scott 158 50c dark blue

Schooner "Bluenose""

Into the Deep Blue
Canada has had more than its share of nicely designed stamps, especially the commemoratives and pictorials. I think what helps is Canadian stamps were virtually all engraved during the classical era.

It would be a shame to bypass illustrating them, so we won't. ;-)

This post will look at the 1908-1931 pictorials, while the next post will continue with the 1932-1939 stamps.

Pictorials 1908-1931 - a closer look
100 Cents - 1 Dollar

1908 Scott 99 5c dark blue

"Champlain's Home in Quebec"

The Quebec Tercentenary Issue of 1908, eight stamps, has four historic scenes/pictorials among the set.

Because Canada was part of the British Empire, permission was sought to have non royal subjects and scenes depicted. King Edward VII gave his consent.

An illustration of the home (and fort complex) built by Samuel de Champlain in founding Quebec in 1608 is shown on the 5c dark blue. CV is $70.

Abitation de Quebec, 1608, established by Champlain

Habitation de Quebec was a group of interconnected buildings set up by Samuel de Champlain when he founded Quebec in 1608. It served as a fort for New France, and was located near the former First Nations village of Stadacona visited by Jacques Cartier in 1535.

1908 Scott 101 10c dark violet

"View of Quebec in 1700"

The 10c dark violet has an image of Quebec in 1700. CV is $125 used/$200 unused.

From page 252 of volume 2 of Historie des Canadiens-Francais 1608-1880

Book Published 1882; Image by Benjamin Sulte

Original held and digitized by the British Library

Looks like the stamp image was derived, in part, from this source.

1908 Scott 102 15c red orange

"Champlain's Departure for the West"

The 15c red orange depicts Champlain's travels into the west. CV is $160.

Apparently the scene on the stamp derives from a verbal description by Champlain: ""With our canoes laden with provisions, our arms and some merchandise to be given as presents to the Indians, I started on Monday, May 27th, from the Isle of Sainte Helaine, accompanied by four Frenchmen and one Indian".

1908 Scott 103 20c yellow brown

"Arrival of Cartier in Quebec"

Depicts "Grande Hermine", "Petite Hermine", and "Emerillon", the three small vessels of Cartier's second expedition and their arrival near Cape Diamond. The stamp set was designed by Jose Antonio Machado of the American Bank Note Company in Ottawa, and engraved by Elie Tomothee Loizeaux.

CV for the 20c yellow brown is $225 used/$250 unused.

Painting/Sketch

Obviously part of the image design used for the 20c yellow brown

When I did a google search of the stamps image, I stumbled on a curious bit of history for New France. Between 1663-1673, some 800 single women from France were brought in to marry the men that had already settled there. The filles du roy, or the King's Daughters, is an interesting story indeed.

1927 Scott 145 12c dark blue

"Map of Canada"

In 1927, a five stamp issue was released celebrating the 60th year of the Canadian Confederation.

The 12c dark blue shows the extent of the Confederation in 1867, and Canada as of 1927.

CV (unused) is $25.

More detailed maps of Canada are available in the 1852-1902 Canada post.

1928 Scott 155 10c green

Mt. Hurd from the Bell-Smith's Painting

"The Ice-crowned Monarch of the Rockies"

In 1928-29, an eleven stamp "Scroll issue" was published, with the five higher denomination stamps showing scenes/pictorials.

The 10c green shows Mt. Hurd in the Ottertail Range of the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia. A Totem Pole (Gitksan tribe, Skeena River) is depicted on each side in the frame.

1929 Scott 156 12c gray "Quebec Bridge"

Gorgeous stamp! Does this bridge still exist?

Quebec Bridge (Pont de Quebec)

Yes, Indeed! It is the longest riveted steel truss cantilever bridge in the world, and serves as a pedestrian, rail and road bridge over the Saint Lawrence River. It took over 30 years to complete - in 1919, 88 lives lost, and survived two collapses (1907, 1916).

1929 Scott 157 20c dark carmine

"Harvesting Wheat"

Note the transcontinental train in the background?

Scene near the foothills of the Canadian Rockies in Western Canada depicts harvesting wheat with horse drawn labor.

CV is $65 (unused)/$12 (used).

1929 Scott 158 50c dark blue

Schooner "Bluenose"

Please enlarge and look. Does it take your breath away?

Many consider this stamp the most beautiful of the Canadian stamps. and some consider this stamp the most beautiful PERIOD.

1929 Scott 159 $1 olive green

"Parliament Building"

The 1929 $1 olive green shows the Parliament buildings in Ottawa.

CV is $60.

Home to the federal government, the Gothic revival style buildings were opened in 1866, one year before the Confederation.

1930 Scott 174 12c gray black

"The Citadel at Quebec"

Cropped close-up

The Citadel, part of the fortifications of Quebec City. dates from 1673, and is still an active military installation. It has been involved in the Battle of Quebec 1690, and the American Revolutionary War - 1775. It was reinforced between 1820-1850 (star fort) in anticipation of more trouble with the Americans. Since 1920, the Citadel has been the home of the francophone Royal 22nd Regiment of the Canadian Army.

The 12c gray black was one of five pictorials released in 1930-31, part of the nineteen stamp "Arch Issue".

1930 Scott 175 20c brown red

"Harvesting Wheat"

Note the tractor (1930 Scott 175) has replaced horses (1929 Scott 157) as the means to harvest wheat.

1930 Scott 176 50c dull blue

"Museum at Grand Pre and Monument to Evangeline"

The 50c dull blue celebrates the Acadian Memorial Church and statue of "Evangeline", located at Grand Pre, Nova Scotia.

The story of the persecution and deportation by the British of the 12,000 Acadians (Settlement: 1682-1775) was made famous by the American poet Longfellow, with the 1847 poem, Evangeline.

Today, their French derived culture is very much alive as the Cajuns of southern Louisiana.