Canada Post welcomes Year of the Dog - Lunar New Year stamps adorned in red and gold

VANCOUVER, Jan. 15, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada Post has released its annual two-stamp issue to mark the Lunar New Year, the 10^th in this most recent lunar series. True to the traditional aspects of the celebration, the Year of the Dog stamps incorporate Chinese lanterns as a central design element. A Permanenttm domestic-rate stamp features an endearing small dog that looks ready to rush headlong into the year ahead, while the international-rate stamp shows a larger, dignified canine, one foot raised in anticipation. The customary red and gold dominate the design.

"Canada Post is proud to once again mark the vibrant and festive occasion that is the Lunar New Year, celebrated by Canadians of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other East Asian heritage," says Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Chopra. "The annual unveiling of this stamp issue has become a much-anticipated event."

Designed by Vancouver's Subplot Design Inc., with illustration by Meimei Mao and photography by Raeff Miles, the Year of the Dog stamp issue includes:

• A traditional gummed pane of 25 domestic-rate stamps, which includes four Chinese blessings, presented in calligraphy by Albert Ng, member of the Order of Ontario, plus both Permanenttm domestic- and international-rate stamp booklets and a broad selection of philatelic collectibles.
• The international-rate official first day cover (OFDC), which also features a traditional Chinese blessing, is unsealed to facilitate the Chinese New Year tradition of giving money in a red envelope.

The Year of the Dog begins on February 16, 2018, and runs to February 4, 2019. Loyal, trustworthy and courageous, the easy-going individuals born under the sign of the Dog are believed to willingly put others' well-being above their own. Famous Canadians born under this sign include Justin Bieber, Leonard Cohen and Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Click here for stamp images and Details magazine.

SOURCE Canada Post