Canada Post Celebrates Vintage Carousels Celebrated Through Whimsical Stamps

Canada Post has released a new collection of stamps celebrating vintage carousels turning the spotlight on the craftsmanship and mechanical ingenuity that were impressive for their era.

The stamps showcase five historic carousels located across the country known for their elaborately carved and beautifully painted animals.

Designed by Paprika and illustrated by René Milot, each stamp depicts one animal from each of the featured carousels:

• Lakeside Park Carousel — Lakeside Park, St. Catharines, Ontario: Built by Kremer’s Carousel Works circa 1903, this impressively large carousel boasts 68 animals and four chariots in four rows – and today still costs only a nickel to ride.

• Bowness Carousel — Heritage Park Historical Village, Calgary, Alberta: Built by Herschell-Spillman Co. in 1904, this is a very rare three-row track machine, where the horses’ rocking motion comes from eccentric drive wheels under the platform.

• C.W. Parker Carousel No. 119, Burnaby Village Museum, Burnaby, British Columbia: Built in 1912 and now fully restored, this carousel features 36 jumping horses, four stationary horses, a chariot and music provided by a 1925 Wurlitzer band organ.

• Roseneath Carousel: Roseneath Fairgrounds, Roseneath, Ontario: Built by C.W. Parker in 1906, this was originally a portable carnival carousel. It is the only Canadian carousel to receive the National Carousel Association (U.S.) Historic Carousel Award – in 2010.

• Le Galopant (La Ronde, Montréal, Quebec): Built circa 1885 in Belgium, this was originally a travelling carousel powered by steam. It made its first Canadian appearance at Expo 67.

 

FOR COLLECTORS

The location of the carousel is indicated at the bottom of each stamp. The issue is cancelled in Calgary, home of the Bowness Carousel at Heritage Park Historical Village. The cancellation is inspired by midway ride tickets. The stamp issue includes a booklet – designed in the style of a traditional circus, midway advertising posters – of 10 Permanent domestic rate stamps, a souvenir sheet of five stamps, an Official First Day Cover and a set of five postcards.

The stamp and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada.

Cost:

• Booklet of 10 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps: $9.20
• Official First Day Cover (OFDC): $5.60
• Vintage Carousels: Souvenir sheet:$4.60
• Vintage Carousels: Postage-paid postcard (Set of 5): $11.95