contract, these three stamps continued to be issued, so that the
department, previous to the introduction of the same denominations
in the new series, might, in accordance with the universal
practice, dispose of the old stamps in each case, before issuing
any of the new. The design of the new stamps is of a uniform
character, and consists of an engraved copy (reduced) of an
authorized photograph of Her Majesty taken during the Diamond
Jubilee year. This, placed within an oval bearing the usual
inscriptions, is enclosed within a rectangular frame, a maple leaf
on a lined ground occupying each of the triangular spaces between
the two frames. To conform to the regulations of the Universal
Postal Union, the color of the new 1 cent stamp is green, and that
of the 5 cents a deep blue. This necessitated corresponding changes
in the colors of the other stamps of the new series; for example,
purple instead of green being selected for the 2 cent denomination,
and orange instead of slate for the 8 cent.

The first denomination of the new series--the 1/2 cent--was placed on
sale on November 9th, 1897. About the end of the same month the 6c made
its appearance, and this was quickly followed by the 1c, 2c, 5c and 8c
in December. The 3c and 10c were issued early in January, 1898, so that
official instructions that the new stamps were not to be issued until
the supplies of the old issue were exhausted were fully carried out,
though all values were on sale within the space of about three months.

[Illustration]

The design of the new stamps is at once simple and effective. In the
central oval is a three-quarter face portrait of Her Majesty, with head
to left, which was copied from a photograph taken by W. & D. Downey, of
London, at the time of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Around the oval
is a band of solid color containing the words CANADA POSTAGE above and
the value in words below, all being in Egyptian capitals. The spandrels
are filled with a ground of horizontal lines on which maple leaves rest.
While, as Mr. Howes observes, "much criticism was engendered by the fact
that the portrait was too large for its frame, making the design appear
cramped," public verdict, as a whole, expressed unqualified approval of
the new design.

The stamps, like those of the preceding issues, were printed from
line-engraved plates and, with one exception, these plates