The Anne of Green Gables, a 2008 souvenir sheet of 2 stamps from Canada.

 

Canada Post issued this pair of domestic rate stamps to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first publication of Anne of Green Gables in 1908 by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. This souvenir sheet features a painting of Anne Shirley created by accomplished illustrator Ben Stahl. The stamp images are based on original artwork officially authorized by The heirs of Lucy Maud Montgomery and the Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc.

"Anne is such a unique character, so full of life and so inspired by nature," says designer Dennis Page. Anne's name, he notes, is printed on the stamps in a typeface as personal and expressive as she is. Page also worked with digital illustrator Mike Little on a unique frame for the two images, which serves as a subtle reminder that Anne's famous story is actually a work of fiction. "The stamp frames are meant to resemble the pages of a book printed in 1908, with deckle edges and an original look and feel."

The stamps are joined by a maple-leaf-shaped perforation. This is only the third time that such a perforation has been used.