News releases

Ottawa, Ontario – War Chief Tecumseh and British Major-General Sir Isaac Brock were two of the most important leaders in the War of 1812. Today they meet again, this time facing one another with mutual respect on a pair of new domestic commemorative stamps issued by Canada Post. This issue is the first in a series marking the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

“The events of this war were critical in shaping what would later become the Dominion of Canada,” said the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport).  “Together, Tecumseh and Brock won a decisive victory at Detroit. This bloodless battle highlighted a key alliance in the war. Today, both leaders are beautifully depicted on the new commemorative stamps.”

“Canada Post creates stamps that are like little windows on the broad fabric of the Canadian experience,” said Deepak Chopra, President and CEO, Canada Post. “Today we are issuing a pair of stamps joined together at the perforation, commemorating two great leaders and two distinct cultures who collectively prepared for battle.”

Major-General Brock was born in Guernsey in the Channel Islands, and as a result of his background, these stamps will mark Canada Post’s first joint issue with the Guernsey Post. Brock began his military career at the age of 15, becoming the Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 49th Regiment of Foot at the age of 28. He was posted to Canada in 1802, and when war was declared in 1812, he was ready to take action. Shawnee War Chief Tecumseh united men from several First Nations to resist American encroachment on Native territory.  When war broke out, he sought an alliance with the British in order to protect their lands and cultures. Despite vastly different backgrounds, Brock and Tecumseh worked together to take Michigan from the enemy.

In the two-stamp se-tenant format, the two men are seen in profile, face to face. Their facial expressions depict mutual respect. The background across the two stamps initially appears to be a continuous landscape, but closer examination reveals markedly different cultural backdrops. Behind Brock we can see a European settlement, as it would have looked circa 1812. Chief Tecumseh is shown with encampments scattered around him, indicating that more than one tribe has taken to arms under his command.

About the stamps
The two Permanent^™ War of 1812 stamps measure 40 mm x 32 mm with 13+ perforations and are printed by Lowe-Martin on Tullis Russell paper using lithography in six colours. They are general tagged on three sides. The Official First Day Cover will be cancelled in Tecumseh, Ontario and Guernsey, Channel Islands. The stamps are available in panes of 16 stamps.

Additional information about Canadian stamps and photos of these new stamps are available on Canada Post’s website under About Us/News. You can purchase stamps and other products at participating post offices, or order them online by following the links at canadapost.ca/collecting and by mail from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA, call toll-free 1-800-565-4362; from other countries, call 902-863-6550.