Saturday, February 9, 2013


Diamond Jubilee Keepsake Folders
Volume 3 (1973-1982)


Among the many souvenirs Canada Post released during the Jubilee Year was a set of six "Keepsake Folders" which depictedstamps issued during the six decades of the Queen's reign. This post deals with   Volume 3, issued on March 6, 2012, covering the 1973 to 1982 period.


The folder includes:
  • One mini-pane of four stamps
  • A postage-paid postcard depicting Queen Elizabeth II stamps issued from 1973 to 1982
  • A booklet that recounts significant events and Royal Visits
Keepsake cover


Booklet cover


Mini-pane

Canada Post reproduced the 1977 Silver Jubilee stamp on the mini-pane.


Royal Visits

The Queen paid six separate visits to Canada during the 1973 - 1982 period. Photographs from three of the visits are reproduced in the mini-pane margin.

1977 Jubilee Tour

The 1977 Royal Visit was the topic of an earlier post, here.



1978

In 1978, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward the Queen toured Newfoundland, Saskatchewan and Alberta, attending the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta.



1982

The Queen signed the new Constitution in 1982 on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. British and Canadian Parliaments passed parallel acts to make Canada responsible for any future amendment of the constitution. Included in the Constitution was the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.




Postage-Paid Post Card




Stamps Depicted

1. Definitives

a) Caricature

8 cent : October 17, 1973


The following description of the 8 cent stamp is found at the Library and Archives Canada site:
Canada's new set of low value definitive postage stamps features Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the 8¢ value...It is especially appropriate that a new stamp bearing portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II should be issued in 1973 as her two visits to Canada this year have focussed more attention than usual on our monarchy and have reminded us of our country's role in Commonwealth. It is also appropriate in that 1973 marks the 20th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation on June 2, 1953.



Lawrence Park Collegiate, Toronto, M1P 4T0 to Toronto, May 6, 1976
8 cents letter rate


10 cent : September 1, 1976




Conestogo to Waterloo, September 8, 1976
10 cents letter rate


b) The Huta Definitives

In 1977, a new design of the Queen Elizabeth definitive issue was introduced featuring a bas-relief profile of the Queen by sculptor Jaroslav Huta.














The first Huta stamp was a 12 cent value issued on March 3, 1977

12 cent : March 3, 1977




Parry Sound to Toronto, April 5, 1977
12 cents letter rate


14 cent : March 3, 1978

The 14 cent denomination was issued in response to the domestic letter rate increase.






London, March 6, 1979
14 cents letter rate


17 cents : March 3, 1979

The letter rate jumped from 14 cents to 17 cents on April 1, 1979.



Mount Bridges to London, October 19, 1981
17 cents letter rate for 30 grams


30 cent: May 11, 1982

After a period of rate stability, the domestic letter rate increased from 17 cents to 30 cents on January 1, 1982. The 30 cent Huta definitive was issued on May 11, 1982.






Fort Erie to Guelph, February 8, 1983
30 cents letter rate


2. Commemoratives


a) 1973 : Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting


Queen Elizabeth came to Canada on July 31, 1973 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Ottawa. She had visited Canada one month earlier. On August 2, the Canada Post Office issued two commemorative stamps in recognition of the visit in the National Capital from July 31 to August 3 of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Ottawa August 2 - 10, 1973.


First Day Covers

Kingswood (Fleetwood)



Rosecraft (Senate)



Canada Post Office "Official"




Schering




Canada Envelope Company (Rosecraft)




The Royal Trust Company (Rosecraft)






David Pritchard





b) 1977 : Silver Jubilee and Royal Visit



The Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II marked the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne. It was celebrated throughout the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth throughout 1977. Queen Elizabeth embarked on several tours during the Jubilee Year including a visit to Canada from October 14 to October 19, 1977. On February 4, 1977, Canada Post issued a 25 cent commemorative to celebrate the Silver Jubilee.






Ottawa, October 18, 1977