Chinese Lunar New Year: Year of the Water Snake

TORONTO, Jan. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Today Canada Post marks the Year of the Snake with a duo stamp issue, the fifth pair in our series recognizing the Chinese Lunar New Year. The coming Year of the Snake, in particular, a water snake, spans from Feb. 10 to Jan 30, 2014. Those born in "snake years" are said to be intelligent, graceful and cunning. These are the attributes they skillfully use to lavish themselves in the level of luxury they adore.

"This is a very popular stamp series, and with good reason," said the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport). "It's a wonderful way to honour our diversity and to celebrate the beginning of a new year."

"Once again, Canada Post honours the Chinese Lunar New Year with a richly designed stamp issue that captures the spirit of the Water Snake," said Mary Traversy, Senior Vice-president, Mail, at Canada Post. "This stunning issue continues to raise the bar in stamp design, and it's sure to delight both members of the Chinese community and collectors."

The red snake on the domestic issue is featured in a curving position to emulate it gliding upon water. On the international issue, a yellow and jade green snake is gracefully coiled in a figure eight, the luckiest number in Chinese culture.

Foiling and rich, strong colours were employed to echo the luxury that the snake treasures. The design team spent months consulting experts in the Chinese community in order to create this stunning issue and pay tribute to the significance of the Lunar New Year tradition.

About the stamp
The Year of the Snake PERMANENT^TM domestic and international rate stamp measures 32 mm X 32 mm (square) and the souvenir sheet measures 40 mm x 140 mm (vertical). The stamps have 13+ perforations and are general tagged on four sides (domestic) and three sides (international). The stamps were designed by Joseph Gault and Avi Dunkelman of Mix Design Group in Toronto, with calligraphy by Tan Chao Chang. The stamps are printed by Lowe-Martin , with effects by Gravure Choquet, on Tullis Russell paper using lithography in six colours plus gold foil stamping, embossing plus varnish. The Official First Day Cover bears the cancellation of Toronto, ON. Canada Post is issuing 5.5 million of the PERMANENT^TM domestic rate stamp and 455, 000 souvenir sheets. The International Rate stamp is available only on the souvenir sheet.

As in past issues in this series, the text on the stamps and related products is in Chinese, English and French.

Stamps and related products are available at participating post offices. They can also be ordered online by following the links at canadapost.ca/collecting or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the United States call toll-free: 1-800-565-4362. From all other countries, call: 1-902-863-6550. Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the News section of the Canada Post website (canadapost.ca), including photographs.

Image with caption: "Today Canada Post marks the Year of the Snake with a duo stamp issue, the fifth pair in the series recognizing the Chinese Lunar New Year. (CNW Group/Canada Post)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130108_C4544_PHOTO_EN_22346.jpg

SOURCE: Canada Post

For further information:

Media Relations
613 734-8888
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Brayden Akers, Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State (Transport)
613-991-0070