The War of 1812

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Guernsey and Canada Post's Brock and Tecumseh Collaboration.

The War of 1812 between Britain and the United States is not a conflict that many people know about outside of Canada, where it took place. Two hundred years on, Canada Post and Guernsey Post have come together to produce a commemorative stamp issue to mark the bicentenary of this short and bitter campaign. The issue features Sir Isaac Brock and Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, the bold and imaginative leaders who together helped to turn the tide of war back in the fledgling nation's favour. The news sent ripples across the globe and all the way back to Guernsey where Brock was born in 1769, the same year as both Wellington and Napoleon.

When the United States declared war in 1812, Brock was in charge of the British forces in Upper Canada and Tecumseh was a leader of the Native Nations confederacy. They formed an alliance against the invading Americans and displayed great courage and ingenuity against the odds. Theirs was an unlikely friendship between two men from very different worlds, who saw in each other the qualities needed to endure as free nations. This sense of independence has as much resonance in our small Bailiwick as it does in Canada.

The issue features the Official First Day Covers, which bear stamps from each country as se-tenant pairs. The designer was Canadian Susan Scott who collaborated with prominent Quebec illustrator Suzanne Duranceau. Susan told us: "The main concept for the stamp is to show the strong and effective alliance between two men who had a deep respect for each other. This fictional representation suggests The Niagara Peninsula where some of the 1812 battles were fought and where Brock was killed. The European settlement behind Brock reflects the interests he is protecting, while the groups of Indian encampments behind Tecumseh signify the confederacy of Indian tribes, which he strived so hard to realise".

Head of Guernsey Philatelic, Dawn Gallienne explains: "We are delighted to have worked with Canada Post on the Brock and Tecumseh issue and to be able to officially recognise this important anniversary in our collective history."

More information on Sir Isaac Brock and the coins issued to commemorate this anniversary can be found on the website Brock by Brock: visit www.isaacbrock.com

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