Christmas Stamps, Air France and Postage Due

BLOG # 1489 -  In the Time of Covid

Hello again, here I am with three cards this time and they arrived from Ottawa, Canada along with France and Hong Kong.

My first card was received from Canada Post. The card shows a 1960s painting by Maud Lewis called Family and Sled. It can be found in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. This painting is the subject of Canada's international rate Christmas stamp. Two other of Lewis' works are also the subject of two other of Canada's Christmas stamps - Winter Sleigh Ride for the domestic Canada rate and Team of Oxen in Winter for the transborder U.S. rate. Here's a look at the card. 

  This is a postage paid card with the International Christmas stamp inscribed on it. 

Now here's a look at the three Christmas stamp showing Maud Lewis' work.

Canada also issued , as it always does, a single religious themed Christmas stamp, featuring a Nativity scene. . Have a look at it . 

That's the story of Canada's Christmas stamps for 2020. 

Here's a fun fact - Canada issued the first Christmas stamp in the world. It was way back in 1898, Canada issued the two cent Mercator Map stamp, with the words XMAS 1898. Here have a look --

 

I think that's your history lesson for today, now on to postcards. 

My second card is from France and it shows an Air France poster from 1964. It says that Air France was the world's largest airline at that time. I think American Airlines might have that title now, at least before Covid. 

Jean Pierre used a semi-postal stamp from 1989. It highlights a Quimper or Brittany Ware plate .The surcharge benefitted the Red Cross. 

The last card for today is from Hong Kong. It's a look at Endless Summer, - not exactly what I see looking out my window now. I see East Lake frozen solid, Kids sliding down hill and more kids playing ice hockey on an outdoor rink. Not to mention winter starts in two days. 

Kristie used a  , sorry no she didn't , this card arrived without a stamp ,  funny how that happens. The marking on the card shows what I think might indicate that postage was due. Well no one collected it, I didn't pay . I guess Hong Kong Post is out a little. 

That ends today's update Three cards , two stamps. Thanks for cards go to Canada Post, Jean Pierre and Kristie. 

Things are looking up a little, vaccines are rolling out but we still have to wear a mask, stay home, wash your hands and keep your distance.