I am working on creating a series of banners for my stamp web page that show some of the more interesting items from my collection. On this page you can view high-quality images of the items as well as some information about them. Enjoy!
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Canada issued the Diamond Jubilee series on June 19, 1897 to commemorate Victoria's 60th year as Queen of England. The series consists of 16 stamps (Scott 50-65) with the same design, in denominations from 1/2 cent to $5.00. On this cover, the 5 cent Jubilee pays the exact UPU rate to Puerto Rico. The stamp is tied to the envelope by a Sep 10/97 Gaspe Bay, Quebec CDS. The reverse shows a Sep 15 New York City transit postmark. The piece is not only a rare destination, but has added interest because the envelope is illustrated with a vignette and poem which, like the stamp, commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The poem, by William Watson, reads:
Queen, that from Spring to Autumn of thy reign
Hast taught thy people how 'tis queenlier far
Than any golden pomp of peace or war
Simply to be a woman without stain.
Alexandrina Victoria was born in 1819, the only child of Edward, Duke of Kent (George III's fourth son) and Victoria Maria Louisa of Saxe-Coburg. She ascended the throne in 1837 upon the death of her uncle William IV. In 1840 she married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. When Albert died in 1861 Victoria went into a lengthly seclusion, from which she emerged only in 1876 with her recognition as Empress of India. She ruled until her death in 1901.