COVER N. 392 - CANADA 

Postmark: Canada Post / Postes Canada Richmond Hill ON Observatoire David Dunlalp Observatory  / Major Mckenzie PO Richmond Hill, ON L46 1PO 05.01.2024

Posted on the 5th January; received on the 15th January 2024 

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The year of the Dragon is due to start in less than a month, but echoes of animals past still linger as in this nice cover I received from Canada. Thanks a lot, Nargiza!

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2020 was the year of the Rat. As I read, it would be a good day for people born in a number of years, of course, including my own year of birth.... well, recollections I have of 2020 are not that fantastic, but then again I am not a believer in astrology, so maybe I’m paying the price for my scepticism...

The Chinese New year, notwithstanding, is a popular stamp collecting theme, and Canada is among the nations who I have seen, usually issue stamps on the theme, such as the 2020 Year of the rat "Permanent" stamp on the cover, issued on 17JAN2020, illustrated with an image of soon to be Mrs. Rat being taken to its wedding in a litter.

Other that this stamp, the issue also included a souvenir sheet with two more stamps (2.61 and 2.75 CND).

Nargiza completed postage with a 1.07 CND stamp from the definitive "From far and wide" series issued on 13JAN2020, illustrated with an image of the Carcajou Falls, in the NorthWest Territories.

The interesting postmark on the year of the rat stamps honour the David Dunlap Observatory located in the city of Richmond Hill, which started to operate in 1935.