Lot #3: 15 Cent Canada First Day Cover Postage Stamps Agnus Shortt Signed

#E96 SCOTT #415

The special first day covers for this stamp with Winnipeg and Ottawa first day, signed by the artist who designed the stamp; Angus Shortt.Of some interest is the story behind these first days. In the old days the Canadian P.O. did not divulge the design of its new issue until a day or so before actual issue. This gave the printers of cachets for first day covers quite a problem as the only information they had was very sketchy, namely a stamp was to be issued on such a particular day, honoring this or that event. Actual design of the stamp was guarded jealously.So when I sent in the covers to Ottawa for first day attention someone in the post office department blew his top. How did I acquire the information as to exact design for the stamp?!!To me this was a bit funny. After all, long before, Angus Shortt and myself had sat in my office and planned the stamp in detail.By overwhelming vote collectors stated this was the fi Screenshot amp of the decade.Angus Shortt was chosen the wildlife artist of the year by the 10 million members of Ducks Unlimited.   His paintings command up to $5,000.00 each in New York art galleries. -- Long ago I had Angus Shortt paint 24 different Waterbirds. Available: fine printed most attractive sets, all autographed, at $100.00. Even have a few left of the 24 original paintings at $1,000.00 each.

K. Bileski