Maple Leaf

The maple leaf has symbolized Canada from its earliest days when settlers first admired the brightly coloured maple leaves of autumn, and in 1965 the maple leaf actually became the country's national emblem through its use on our flag. Raymond Bellemare's now familiar maple leaf design illustrates this issue of definitive postage stamps reflecting the new postal rates. Included are a 32-cent stamp in both sheet and coil formats; a 50-cent vending machine booklet containing one 32-cent stamp, one 8-cent stamp and two 5-cent stamps are featuring a line drawing of one of the ten provincial legislative buildings on each cover; and an $8 booklet of twenty-five 32-cent stamps. The last booklet, which is not illustrated in this Bulletin, has a line drawing of the Library of Parliament on its cover. Official First Day Covers are available with the various configurations of the 32-cent stamp in sheet and coil formats and with the 50-cent vending machine booklet pane. Collectors' Own First Day Covers for this issue will be accepted until 15 March 1983.