Description: This commemorative souvenir sheetlet features sixteen individual 49-cent postage stamps arranged symmetrically along the outer margins. Each stamp depicts a high-resolution, embossed illustration of the iconic Victoria Cross medal suspended from its traditional deep crimson ribbon. At the center of the pane, a large cream-colored text panel lists the names of nearly one hundred heroic Canadian military personnel who received this decoration across various historic global conflicts. The bilingual heading at the top states "The Victoria Cross • Pro Valore • La Croix de Victoria," reflecting both Canada's heritage and the Latin inscription etched upon the nation's unique version of the medal. A ghostly silhouette of a soldier stands in the background behind the historical register of names, adding a somber visual depth to the entire presentation.
Circa: 2004
Condition: Mint, complete pane
Notes:
Queen Victoria instituted the Victoria Cross in 1856, for conspicuous acts of bravery by any member of the British military. The award was available for events from 1854 onwards, to include acts of bravery during the Crimean War, which began in late 1853. After the war, it was announced that the 11th Hussars could nominate a soldier to receive the Victoria Cross for his bravery. Dunn was the unanimous choice of the regiment. His name was on the list of the first group of recipients of the Victoria Cross, announced in February 1857.
On 26 June 1857, Queen Victoria presented the first sixty-two Victoria Crosses at an awards ceremony in Hyde Park, in front of a crowd of 100,000. Although Dunn by that time had left the 11th Hussars, he was amongst that group of the first recipients, being the 17th in line.
All of these historical medals were awarded under the traditional British imperial honors system. In 1993, Canada created its own distinct Canadian Victoria Cross. It features the Latin inscription Pro Valore instead of the English For Valour. To date, no Canadian Victoria Cross has ever been awarded.