For immediate release: 14 June 2012
Guernsey Stamps announces the release on 15 June of a se-tenant pair of stamps to commemorate the War of 1812, which is a joint issue with Canada Post.
The bitter War of 1812 was fought with the British, Canadian colonists and Native Nations on one side and the United States on the other. The two leaders depicted on the stamps - Sir Isaac Brock and tribal chief Tecumseh - were instrumental in turning the tide in Canada's favour.
Born on October 6th 1769 in St Peter's Port, Isaac Brock was the eighth son of John and Elizabeth. Brock was destined for a life in the military and in 1785 he joined the British Army. He rose quickly through the ranks, gaining a reputation for courage as well as kindness.
In 1802, he was transferred to British North America (Canada). Relations between the British and the United States had long been fraught and Brock set to work strengthening the defences and manpower in Upper Canada (Ontario), where he was now in charge of the British forces. When the Americans finally declared war in 1812, whilst still being the underdog, the province was far better prepared than it might have been.
He also forged an alliance with highly esteemed Native Nation leader Tecumseh, and this was arguably the lynchpin upon which the axis of war was turned in the province's favour.
With a force vastly inferior in number to the American's, Brock led the allies to the enemy line at Fort Detroit where he instructed the native warriors to make as much noise as possible and circle past openings in the tree line to create the illusion of a greater presence. A message was sent from Brock to the American Brigadier General explaining that he would not be able to stem the massacre once the 'Indians' were unleashed.
The scaremongering worked and Brigadier General Hull surrendered. News of their victory gave the colonies a newfound confidence in their war effort and when the peace treaty was signed two years later, the independence of Canada was assured.
Brock was felled by a sharp shooter at the Battle of Queenston Heights in October, 1812, and his comrade-in-arms Tecumseh was killed at the Battle of the Thames a year later.
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: - "In conjunction with Canada Post we wanted to commemorate the bicentennial year of the War of 1812 by depicting two men who remain symbols of Canadian patriotism."
-End release-
Press enquiries to:
Sarah Amies, pr consultant, 01484 687040/07811 133973
Dawn Gallienne, head of philatelic, 01481 733524
Specifications:
Date of issue: 15 June 2012
Designer: Susan Scott
Illustration: Suzanne Duranceau / Susan Scott
Printer: Lowe-Martin
Values: 2 x £1 (se-tenant pair)
Process: Offset lithography
Stamp size: 32mm deep x 40mm wide
Sheet size: 210mm deep x 140mm wide
Paper: 106 gsm unwatermarked PVA adhesive
Sheet: 10
Perforation: 13
Cylinder: A