Beaver, 1851

Many young Canadians, at one time or another, collect stamps. They and other young collectors from around the world will have a chance to display their philatelic accomplishments at the Seventh International Philatelic Youth Exhibition. The International Youth Commission of the prestigious Fédération internationale de philatélie (F.I.P.) has designated Canada to host this important event. It will take place in the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds in Toronto from 20 to 24 May 1982. The Youth Exhibition has never before taken place outside Europe. The exhibition will be organized and co-hosted by the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada and Canada Post. Postal administration sponsorship is traditional, and Canada Post is backing this philatelic youth show to interest young people in Canadian stamps and to increase the knowledge and experience of young Canadian philatelists. Philatelists between the ages of twelve and twenty-five who are members of F.I.P. affiliates may compete in the exhibition. Their exhibits must be their own property and must have obtained a silver-bronze medal or better in a national exhibition or one of equal importance. A panel of internationally accredited jurors will judge the entries and award medals, diplomas, or certificates of participation. Postal administrations from around the world will also be mounting stamp displays at the exhibition. As a forerunner of the show, Canada Post will issue two stamps featuring two of Canada's classics in stamp-on-stamp format. One of these is the "Threepenny Beaver" of 1851 was the first postage stamp of the Province of Canada and the first true pictorial stamp in the world. This CANADA 82 stamp was designed by Gottschalk and Ash Limited of Toronto. The design presents the classic stamp image reproduced in lithography from the steel engraved die proof against a colour background extending out through the perforations. This is the first time this design feature has been used on Canadian stamps.