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OTTAWA – A black-and-white portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II taken by legendary British fashion photographer David Bailey adorns the latest in a long line of Canadian stamps honouring The Queen.

The photo, taken at Buckingham Palace in 2014 to mark The Queen’s 88th birthday, shows Her Majesty in a dress chosen by Angela Kelly, her personal assistant and senior dresser. The Queen is wearing pearls and smiling easily. In his portrait, Bailey successfully homed in on what he described as The Queen’s “very kind eyes” and “mischievous glint.”

Queen Elizabeth II has been immortalized by many of the greatest photographers in the 20th and 21st centuries. She has been featured on more than 60 stamps issued by Canada Post.

Also issued today are five definitive stamps featuring Canadian UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The stamps feature images of Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia; SGang Gwaay, British Columbia; the Rideau Canal in Ontario; the Landscape of Grand Pré, Nova Scotia; and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta. Canadian World Heritage sites are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

About the Queen Elizabeth II stamp

Designed by Steven Slipp of Wolfville N.S., the stamp measures 20.25 mm x 23.25 mm and has simulated perforation. The stamp is printed by Lowe-Martin on Tullis Russell paper using four-colour lithography. It is pressure sensitive and the Official First Day Cover is cancelled in Victoria, BC. The stamp, booklets of 10, and the OFDC are available at post offices across the country and at canadapost.ca.

About the Canadian UNESCO sites stamps

This series brings these lush landscapes to Canada in permanent stamps issued in booklets of 10 and 30. The domestic-rate stamps, measuring 24 mm by 20 mm, are also available in a souvenir sheet of five stamps, a souvenir sheet Official First Day Cover and five postage paid postcards. The OFDC will be cancelled in Ottawa, Ontario. Lara Minja, of Victoria, B.C.-based Lime Design, created the stamps. The shape of the visual frame, with one rounded corner, adds a special touch to the composition. A splash of red in the flag at the bottom contrasts with the richness of the imagery. The stamps and related products are available at post offices across the country and at canadapost.ca/shop – where stamp images can also be downloaded.

For more information:
Media relations
613-734-8888
medias@canadapost.ca