Canadian stamp stories

Highlighting the work of five talented Canadians whose work can be found on book covers, posters, magazine, newspapers and even stamps, this issue features five of Canada’s most successful and prolific illustrators.

A proud native of Belleville, Ontario, Will Davies (1924-2016) is a legend of Canadian commercial art, with fashion layouts, story illustrations and advertising campaigns for clients as Simpson’s, Chatelaine, Reader’s Digest, Homemakers, Star Weekly, Woman’s Weekly (U.K.), and many other publications – as well as nine Canadian stamps. His stamp features one of his untitled Harlequin book covers.

Blair Drawson (Stage Fright, circa 1990) has worked as an editorial illustrator for many of North America’s most notable magazines – among them, Time, The New Yorker, Esquire, Rolling Stone and The New York Times Magazine.

France-born Gérard DuBois (It’s Not a Stream of Consciousness, 2015) chose Montréal as a place to launch his freelance career. His work has appeared in many major magazines in North America and Europe – and the 2015 Canadian Christmas stamp trio.

James Hill (1930-2004) of Hamilton had a major influence on his field. The image on this stamp is from a 1966 Redbook feature on hair fashion. Named Artist of the Year by the Guild of American Artists in 1966, he earned two gold medals from the New York-based Society of Illustrators.

Anita Kunz is one of the most iconic illustrators of our time. Her work has been published and exhibited internationally and she regularly provides cover art for The New Yorker and other influential publications. She has also illustrated more than 50 book covers. Best Friends (circa 2012) is from a series of personal work.