Cedar Strip Canoe

The third and final set of stamps in the Small Craft series - Pleasure Craft - will be issued on July 18, 1991. While the first two sets in the series focussed on boats as essential modes of transportation and commerce, this last segment displays how boats have evolved into a recreational pastime for millions of Canadians. As Canada is bounded by three oceans and is blessed with a large network of inland and rivers, it is not surprising that the mode of transportation which originally opened up this vast country to the Voyageurs is now a pleasurable sporting activity. One of the oldest pleasure craft in Canada is the cedar strip canoe, which today is enjoyed by avid canoeists or traditionalists who thrive on the smooth, slick ride offered by a well-crafted wooden canoe. It is constructed of planking laid longitudinally in narrow strips, with a flush-batten of lap joint technique holding the planks together. The ribs, made of elm wood, are then placed perpendicular and act as braces for further support. The final product is then made out of cedar and other special wood like basswood or walnut to give it contrast and special visual appeal. Averaging 16 feet in length, the canoe is 12 inches deep, 31 to 33 inches wide, with a weight of 60 to 80 pounds. The stamps were designed by Louis-André Rivard and Bernard Leduc, who combined the transversal frame design of each boat in the foreground with a relevant scenic background.