New Canada Post stamps created by UBC designer
UBC graphic designer Matt Warburton is the architect behind two new Canada Post stamps commemorating Canadian motorcycles that were released June 5, 2013.
The stamp project ties together three life-long passions that Warburton inherited from his father: stamps, design and motorcycles.
“I’ve been a motorcyclist all my life,” says Warburton. “It was my Dad’s love of motorcycles that got me interested in them as a young boy. He was incredibly excited and proud about these stamps.”
Warburton, a print and digital designer for UBC Communications and Marketing, says there has been at least one motorcycle in his garage since he was 12-years-old. His children now share an appreciation for the two-wheeled vehicles as well.
Warburton’s relationship with stamps began as a young boy. His father, a philatelist (someone who studies stamps), sent him to the post office in 1972 to pick up a corner block of the earth sciences stamp series. Intrigued by their beautiful simplicity and clean, strong design, Warburton began his own stamp collection. This also marked the beginning of an interest in graphic design.
Every year many Canadians suggest motorcycles as a stamp theme to Canada Post. When the project got the green light, Warburton decided to feature two produced in Canada motorcycles on the stamps: The 1908 Canadian Cycle and Motor Company (CCM) and the 1914 Indian.
The stamps’ design echoes what Warburton saw in the earth sciences stamps from 1972—they capture the eye by being clean, simple and graphic. Warburton’s stamp design highlights the simplicity of the bikes and focuses on the view as seen by a rider.
The collateral materials such as the first day covers (OFDC), booklets and souvenir sheets bring in other views of the engine details and bodywork, design elements which have changed surprisingly little from the first motorized bicycles like the 1908 CCM through to the 1914 Indian. Warburton asked UBC colleague and illustrator Mark Pilon to create a postmark for the OFDC. The postmark is based on a classic Canadian poster from 1940 by Eric Aldwinkle and Albert Cloutier.
Both motorcycles featured on the stamps were from the personal collection of Peter Gagan of Qualicum Beach, B.C. and were photographed at the Trev Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition in Burnaby, BC.
When the stamps are released, Warburton and his father will be on the Isle of Man for the annual TT races with thousands of other motorcycle enthusiasts.
For more information, visit: http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/personal/collecting/stamps/2013/2013_jun_motorcycles.jsf