I began collecting mint Canada in January, 2024, and recently completed the Admiral series. Receiving the last stamp was delayed by the
Canada Post strike, but finally arrived today.
The death of King Edward VII on May 6, 1910 necessitated a new series of stamps to be issued bearing a likeness of his son, George V. The design for this new issue, came to be known as the Admiral design because it shows King George V dressed in an Admiral's navy uniform. The actual design was a composite in which the head taken from a photograph by W. & D. Downey and the chest and uniform from a photograph by W. Barnett. The design was engraved by Robert Savage and the first stamps of the series were issued on December 22, 1911. The American Bank Note Company of Ottawa was the printer as with the earlier issues. It changed its name to the Canadian Bank Note Company in 1923.
Of all the modern issues before the current reign, it is this one which offers collectors a vastness of scope that cannot be rivaled. It is the first issue to feature regularly issued coil stamps and booklets which are within reach of the collector with modest means.
(Write up by Brixton Chrome)
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