A moose, beaver and polar bear celebrate Christmas on new stamps from Canada

By Denise McCarty

Canada will feature animals dressed warmly for winter weather and a painting from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on four Christmas stamps to be issued Nov. 2.

The nondenominated permanent-rate stamp (currently 85¢) in the Christmas Animals set depicts a moose wearing a red scarf and a striped toque. The beaver on the $1.20 stamp for use on letters to the United States is wearing a red flannel shirt and a green cap, and holding a sprig of holly with his teeth. The polar bear pictured on the $2.50 international-rate stamp is clothed in a red cap, scarf and sweater.

Canada Post is offering the Christmas Animals stamps in booklets of 12 and in a souvenir sheet with the three designs se-tenant (side-by-side).

The nondenominated permanent-rate Madonna and Child stamp, also available in a booklet of 12, reproduces The Adoration of the Magi by 16^th-century Flemish artist Adriaen Isenbrandt. This oil-on-panel painting is shown on the stamp courtesy of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.