Canada Adds to Lunar New Year Series On January 9 Canada Post visible only under a black light. greeted the Year of the Rooster However, on the uncut press sheet with a two-stamp issue, the ninth in and pane of 25 domestic stamps, a its most recent series honoring the gold foil sesquicentennial logo is Lunar New Year. A Permanent do- visible to the naked eye. mestic-rate stamp featuring a rooster • The international-rate offi- image, with its chest proudly puffed cial first day cover (OFDC), which out, is paired with an international- also features a traditional Chinese rate stamp offering a close-cropped blessing, is unsealed to enable the profile view of the rooster’s stately Chinese New Year tradition of giv- face. Both images are created from ing money in a red envelope. lines of gold foil. The Year of the Rooster runs “Canada Post is proud to celebrate the vibrant and festive occasion from January 28, 2017 until February 15, 2018. As described by Canada that is the Lunar New Year, which is marked by Canadians of Chinese, Post, “Those born under this sign are honest, courageous and confident. Korean, Vietnamese and other East Asian heritage,” said Canada Post Marked for success, they achieve their goals through a combination of President and CEO Deepak Chopra. “The annual unveiling of this wit, charm and hard work.” stamp issue has become a much-anticipated event, with the artistry of Both the domestic and international rate stamps are self-adhesives. the series praised by both collectors and mailers.” The Canadian domestic rate stamp is available in booklets of 10 and Designed by Paprika, a firm in Montréal, the stamps include panes of 25, and the international stamp in booklets of 10. The issue several features: also includes a gummed souvenir sheet of both stamps, a gummed • The pane of 25 domestic-rate stamps includes four Chinese transitional souvenir sheet featuring both the 2016 Year of the Monkey blessings, presented in calligraphy by Albert Ng. and 2017 Year of the Rooster international stamps, an uncut press sheet • While all 2017 stamps include elements that point to Canada’s and Official First Day Covers for both stamp denominations. sesquicentennial, this issue’s reference is two-fold. “Canada 150” ap- Please go to https://www.canadapost.ca/shop for additional infor- pears dropped out of the tagging that surrounds the stamps, an effect mation on this and other Canada new issues.