This is the Official First Day Cover (OFDC) for the Vintage Carousels stamp issue from Canada Post. This OFDC is designed in the style of traditional circus/midway advertising posters.

Good to know

Official First Day Cover, cancelled in Calgary, Alberta
Celebrates the wonder and playfulness of vintage carousels in Canada

About the Vintage Carousels issue

Carousels originated as a military training game in the 12th century. By the mid-19th century, they were mechanically-powered fairground rides with elaborately carved and painted animals and cheery band organ music.

This stamp issue features vintage carousels from five locations across Canada: Lakeside Park Carousel (St. Catharines, Ontario), Bowness Carousel (Calgary, Alberta), C.W. Parker Carousel No. 119 (Burnaby, British Columbia), Roseneath Carousel (Roseneath, Ontario) and Le Galopant (Montréal, Quebec).

About the featured carousels

Lakeside Park Carousel

Built by Kremer’s Carousel Works in 1903, this impressively large carousel boasts 68 animals and four chariots in four rows. This iconic carousel has been at Lakeside Park in St. Catharines, Ontario, since 1921. It still costs only a nickel to ride.

Bowness Carousel

Built by Herschell-Spillman Co. in 1904, this rare three-row track machine arrived at the Heritage Park Historical Village in Calgary, Alberta, in 1969.

C.W. Parker Carousel No. 119

Built in 1912 and now fully restored, this carousel features 36 jumping horses, four stationary horses, a chariot and music provided by a 1925 Wurlitzer band organ. This carousel first came to Canada in 1936. It has been at the Burnaby Village Museum in Burnaby, British Columbia, since 1993.

Roseneath Carousel

Built by C.W. Parker in 1906, this was originally a portable carnival carousel. It is the only Canadian carousel to receive the National Carousel Association (U.S.) Historic Carousel Award – in 2010. This carousel has resided at the Roseneath Fairgrounds in Roseneath, Ontario, since 1932.

Le Galopant

Built circa 1885 in Belgium, this was originally a travelling carousel powered by steam. This carousel has resided at La Ronde amusement park in Montréal, Quebec, since 2007. It was brought to Canada for Expo 67.

About the designs

The bright red OFDC is designed in the style of traditional circus/midway advertising posters with “Vintage Carousels” and the names of each carousel printed in large bombastic font. The vibrant stamps spotlight five historic carousels located across the country. The featured carousels are each known for their elaborately carved and beautifully painted animals. They also showcase the craftsmanship and mechanical ingenuity that were impressive for their era. Each stamp depicts one animal from each of the featured carousels, with the location indicated at the bottom. The booklet is designed in the style of traditional circus/midway advertising posters.

The stamp issue is cancelled in Calgary, home of the Bowness Carousel at Heritage Park Historical Village. The cancellation mark is inspired by midway ride tickets.

Product # 404192144

Vintage Carousels: Official First Day Cover