The rat wraps up Canada Post's lunar stamp series

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

OTTAWA (AFP) — Canada Post unveiled a stamp and souvenir sheet Tuesday celebrating the Year of the Rat, the last in its 12-year Chinese lunar calendar series.

Inspired by "The Mouse Bride," a Chinese folk tale that embodied and brought to life the key characteristics of the Rat year, Toronto-based illustrator Harvey Chan designed the special edition stamp.

Using emboss-deboss techniques, along with gold and pearl foil on the stamps and souvenir sheet, he said in a statement he hoped to add to the sense of celebration around the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Canada Post issued its first lunar New Year stamp in 1997 with the Year of the Ox, followed by the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Ram, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog and the Pig....