Paper first day of issue Canadian postage stamp affixed to an envelope addressed to L. M. Martin in Ottawa; stamp is of Henry Kelsey, on the right, looking into the prairie distance; opened at flap; multicolour inks; no watermark; designers: Dennis E. N. Burton George A. Gundersen (E); perforatio…
Paper first day of issue Canadian postage stamp affixed to an envelope addressed to L. M. Martin in Ottawa; stamp is of Henry Kelsey, on the right, looking into the prairie distance; opened at flap; multicolour inks; no watermark; designers: Dennis E. N. Burton
George A. Gundersen (E); perforation: comb 12 x 12 1/2; printing: Photogravure and Recess; paper: ordinary; face value: 6 ¢ - Canadian cent.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Purchased by Dr. Chiong for his patent medicine collection, before July 15, 1995.
On envelope: "L. M. Martin, D.D.S. // 150 Metcalfe // Ottawa, Ontario // DAY // OF ISSUE // JOUR // D'EMISSION "
On stamp: CANADA 6 // HENRY KELSEY FIRST EXPLORER OF THE PLAINS // LE PREMIERE EXPLORATEUR DES PRAIRIES"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 2005
2005-2-2 Box #6
Dimension Notes
Length: 22.9 cm. x Width: 10.2 cm.
Condition Remarks
Some age/sun discolouration; several creases along left half and around edges
Copy Type
Original
Research Facts
Henry Kelsey joined the Hudson’s Bay Company as an apprentice in 1684, and spent the next several years posted to a company fort near the Nelson River. In 1690, Native guides led him up the river into the interior. By 1691, Kelsey had made it as far as Saskatchewan, making him the first European to see the Northern Plains.
Henry Kelsey, explorer, fur trader, sailor (born c. 1667 in East Greenwich near London, England; died 1724 in East Greenwich, England). Kelsey was an explorer and trader who worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) for nearly 40 years.
See 996.001.841 for the summary of the Henry Kelsey story and stamp on actual letter