MONTRÉAL, QC (October 17, 2009) – They are the most storied sports team in Canadian history having won 24 Stanley Cups, more than any other team. They are the oldest continuously-operating professional ice hockey team, predating the founding of the NHL. Their team jerseys can be found in arenas across Canada, often outnumbering home-team sweaters. They are the Montreal Canadiens, and Canada Post today issued a stamp set honouring the team’s centennial and its iconic jersey.
A domestic-rate PERMANENT™ stamp featuring a close-up of Maurice “Rocket” Richard’s game-worn #9 hockey sweater, plus three high-value stamps featuring actual footage of the historic 500th goals of Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur are available now at post offices across the country. The stamps were unveiled at a Bell Centre ceremony with Beliveau, Lafleur, and Henri Richard and Rejean Houle, Montreal Canadiens Alumni Association President, participating in the unveiling.
Marc Courtois, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Canada Post, noted during the unveiling that the stamps not only commemorate the centennial of the Montreal Canadiens, but they also pay tribute to every player who has ever worn the 'La Sainte-Flanelle' (the holy flannel sweater). “This iconic symbol has come to mean a tradition of on-ice excellence that has inspired generations of hockey players and fans alike.”
Using an action-oriented printing process, called MotionstampTM technology, and digital footage of the Richard, Beliveau and Lafleur goals provided by the Canadiens, the stamps become mini-movies. When moved up and down, the actual sweep of action—from shot to goal—as it appeared in the original film clips, is visible on the stamps. This is the first time this technology has been used on a Canadian stamp.
"We are both thrilled and honoured to be the first team in Canadian sports history to be honoured on a motion stamp from Canada Post,” noted Montreal Canadiens Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Ray Lalonde. “Thanks to some of the greatest hockey legends the game has ever seen, the Canadiens have been a symbol of sports excellence for 100 years. It is appropriate that the milestone achievements for three of those men, Rocket Richard, Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur, are featured on these extraordinary stamps."
MONTREAL CANADIENS 100TH ANNIVERSARY STAMPS
- The three $3.00 lenticular commemorative stamps were created using Motionstamp™ technology by New Zealand’s Outer Aspect Ltd., the world leader in Motionstamp imaging. This technology is also used on the banners printed on the frame of the souvenir sheet, representing the 15 legendary players whose jerseys have been retired by the team.
- This is the first Canadian stamp to feature Lenticular motion.
- The PERMANENT™ stamp features The Rocket’s game-worn #9 jersey, which is currently housed in the Montreal Canadiens Hall of Fame.
- The PERMANENT™ stamp is also on the Official First Day Cover ($1.54), which shows the evolution of the team’s logo over its 100-year history, as well as the names of the 761 players to have suited up for at least one game over the franchise’s first 100 seasons.
- The back of the souvenir sheet ($9.00) features photographs of the 15 Montreal Canadiens players whose jerseys have been retired.
- The stamps inside the PERMANENT™ stamp booklet ($5.40), are positioned in the shape of an “H” – evoking the "H" for Hockey in the Canadiens logo. The team’s list of Stanley Cup wins is also included in the booklet.
- The PERMANENT™ stamp measures 24.75 mm x 32.25 mm vertical in a 10-stamp pane with simulated perforation and a pressure-sensitive gum type.
- Lowe-Martin has printed six million stamps using lithography in six colours on Tullis Russell paper.
- This stamp is general tagged on four sides.
- The souvenir sheet featuring three high-value ($3.00 each) lenticular stamps measures 130 mm x 100 mm. The stamps have a simulated perforation and a pressure-sensitive gum type.
- Outer Aspect has printed 375,000 sheets using lithography in six colours plus Lenticular.
- Both the Official First Day Cover and the OFDC of the Souvenir sheet ($10.00) will bear the cancel MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC.
- Additional information about Canadian stamps can be found in the News section of Canada Post's website, and photos of these new stamps are also available. Stamps and other products will be available at participating post offices, or can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website canadapost.ca/collection, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA, call toll-free: 1-800-565-4362, and from other countries, call: (902) 863-6550.
