Description: This vintage low-value definitive postage stamp from Canada (CANADA) is an entry from the widely celebrated mid-century royal regular issues. The central design frames the "Wilding" portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, showcasing her in a three-quarter profile facing right, adorned with the iconic Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. The monochrome presentation is executed in a rich, velvety violet-brown ink via fine-line steel engraving on plain paper stock. The Royal Cypher "EⅡR" balances the upper left and upper right corners within small rectangular tabs. The denomination 1¢ is repeated symmetrically in the lower left and lower right quadrants, positioned directly above the bilingual indicators "POSTES" and "POSTAGE". The country name "CANADA" proudly anchors the lower center margin in an elegant serif font. This particular used example reveals weathered, line-perforated edges and a partial black wavy-line slogan cancellation cutting cleanly through the left-hand margin.
Circa: 1954-1960s
Condition: Used - Hinged
Notes:
This 1-cent issue holds a fascinating place in Canadian history because it was rushed out as a replacement design. The preceding 1953 coronation series—which used a photograph by famous portraitist Yousuf Karsh—received heavy public criticism because the engraved conversion made the Queen appear stern and cast harsh shadows on her face. The Post Office pivoted to this softer, widely loved photograph taken by Dorothy Wilding, which was already highly successful on British stamps.