Queen Elizabeth II

The new edition of Canada's regular issue postage stamps, the first since 1954 presents a portrait of Her Majesty in a simple, almost classic style. The stamp is based on a drawing of Her Majesty by Ernst Roch of Montreal, completed during two private sittings at Buckingham Palace arranged specifically for this new stamp issue. Traditionally, regular issue stamps such as the series in use since 1954 bear the portrait of the Monarch. The new series continue this tradition but with the addition of various Canadian symbols appearing in the upper left corner fo each stamp. The new stamp is also a departure from recent regular issue designs in that it is a horizontal type format, rather than the more common vertical style. The designer of the stamp, Mr. Roch, studied art in Gratz, Austria, and is a member of the Typographical Designers of Canada and of the American Institute of Graphic Art. He has exhibited in Europe, the United States and Canada, and since coming to Canada in 1953, has won 13 awards from the Toronto and Montreal Art Directors Clubs and has received many other honours. The first new stamp, the five cent denomination, portrays a head of wheat as a tribute to Canada's agriculture. The importance of agriculture in the Canadian economy is evidented by the fact that close to 300,000 square miles, or some 11 percent of the land mass of the provinces is used for the agricultural purposes. Although this area has not increased substantially in recent years agricultural production has increased greatly. This is accomplished by the use of modern methods and equipment. Another major factor in the increasing production rate is the activity of the federal and provincial departments of Agriculture. Over the years, these organizations have assisted Canadian farmers by ensuring price stability, credit provisions, crop insurance, and resource development. They have also provided information and guidance to farmers and made major contributions to the effective marketing of Canadian farm production.