Queen Elizabeth II

Definitive stamps must portray an image of Canada for a wide variety of people inside and outside the nation. Queen Elizabeth II is just the subject to do this. The Queen symbolizes the distinctive and democratic traditions of our form of government. Because 1977 is the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, it is an especially appropriate time for a new definitive stamp featuring her portrait. The Queen, who appears on the 12¢ value, ascended to the throne on 6 February 1952 upon the death of her father King George VI. Elizabeth II has become a focus of national unity and of individual loyalty, the tangible emblem of continuity in the changing political scene, the personification of the Canadian constitutional ideal of "peace, order and good government". The bas-relief profile of the Queen, featured on the 12¢ stamp is based on a black and white photographic study of Her Majesty, taken by the British photographer Peter Grugeon. The sculptor, Jaroslav Huta, completed his studies in Prague and came to Canada via Munich, where he worked for some years as a designer, sculptor and graphic artist. The layout design and typography is by Heather Cooper. This issue of definitive stamp use Cartier typeface, first cut by the Canadian typographer, the late Carl Dair. This modified version was specially prepared for the Canada Post Office for use on postage stamps.