Canada #2208a - Lilacs (2007) 10 x 52¢ and 40 similar items

Canada Stamp #2208a - Lilacs (2007) 10 x 52 Booklet pane of 10, 5 each (2207-2208) + 10 stickers Keeping an eye on the trees and plants at the Central Experimental Farm is a normal part of Pierre Huppe's daily routine. Huppe is a supervisor of grounds maintenance at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, Ontario. When Canada Post decided to respond to the tremendous success of the Daffodils and Gardens stamp issues and welcome spring 2007 with two domestic rate (52) stamps featuring the fragrant lilac, Stamp Services turned to the Farm-and Pierre-for help. "We wanted two typically Canadian lilacs for these stamps," explains Danielle Trottier, Manager of Stamp Design and Production at Canada Post. "So we chose the white Syringa vulgaris 'Princess Alexandra' and the Syringa x prestoniae 'Isabella', which is pale purple." Cultivated in 1874 by James Dougall of Windsor, Ontario, the 'Princess Alexandra' was one of the first lilacs to be planted in Canada. Dougall was the first person in North America to originate lilac cultivars and named his hybrid after Alexandra, the Queen-consort of King Edward VII. The 'Isabella' was originated in 1927 by Isabella Preston, a plant hybridizer at the Central Experimental Farm. Preston started hybridizing lilacs in the hope of obtaining attractive, hardy, lateblooming Canadian lilacs. She began her work in 1920 by crossing two wild species from China: S. komarowii subsp. reflexa and S. villosa. The resulting hybrid-the 'Isabella'-blooms from late May to mid June. Once the lilacs for the stamps had been chosen, it was up to Pierre Huppe and his staff to watch for the first signs of flowering so that stamp designer Isabelle Toussaint could capture the lilac blossoms in their full glory. "The Central Experimental Farm has more than 700 lilacs-among the largest collection in Canada," says Huppe. "The 'Princess Alexandra' lilac featured on the stamp is the oldest Canadian hybrid lilac at the Farm. My staff and I-and especially Sharon Saunders, the lead gardener in the ornamental gardens at the Farm-visited this lilac and the 'Isabella' selected for the second stamp, and provided regular updates to Canada Post about how close they were to flowering." Huppe's visits to the trees became more frequent as first the 'Princess Alexandra' and then the 'Isabella' showed signs of blooming. He and Saunders watched closely to determine when the flowers would be at their very best. "That's when I was called," says designer Isabelle Toussaint. "I wanted a completely natural photograph, using natural light that would show these gorgeous lilacs in all their glory." Photographing the 'Isabella' went according to plan. However, when the earlier-blooming 'Princess Alexandra' was at its most beautiful, the weather wasn't, leaving Toussaint wondering if she would be able to photograph the flowers without resorting to artificial light. "The blooming season was ending," says Toussaint. "And it had been raining for a week. There wasn't an inch of blue sky to be seen. I had reluctantly started to shoot using artificial light when the clouds suddenly parted and the sun came out." The ten minutes of sunshine Toussaint had that day were enough to capture a gorgeous picture that, along with the photo of the 'Isabella', enabled her to create two stamps on which the lilacs are so rich and lush you can almost smell them. Stamp Info Name Value Date of Issue March 1, 2007 Year 2007 Quantity 5,300,000 Denomination 52 Perforation or Dimension Kiss cut = Decoupage par effleurement; 13 x 12.5 Series Lilacs Series Time Span 2007 Printer Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited. Postal Administration Canada =x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x= Items are shipped using Canada Post without tracking to keep costs low. This is the most economical option. Canada Post is incredibly reliable, but can be slow. Although not common, it can take up to 2 1/2 weeks for a parcel to reach a U.S. destination and 4 to 5 weeks for an international address. Full and half sheets may be folded for shipping. Please let us know if this does not work for you. If you require tracking or a faster delivery please message before ordering. If you have a question or if you are unclear about shipping policies please contact us. We will ship products anywhere in the world, however, please make sure you check with your country's customs office to be sure that they are allowed in. We will not be held responsible for orders held, confiscated and/or destroyed by customs. Please note this and make sure you understand before you buy it. We welcome questions! Contact us before, after, or during any transaction and you will receive a reply ASAP. Thanks for visiting! Don't forget to bookmark us! See other items in our shop