Canada's 2016 Star Trek Stamp Collection
Formats and Collectibles for Every Fan
Individual Character Stamps: Five stamps feature iconic figures from the original series: Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, and the Klingon Commander Kor. Three of the actors who brought these memorable characters to life have strong Canadian connections. William Shatner, the legendary Captain Kirk, was born in Montreal, Quebec. James Doohan, the beloved Scotty is from Vancouver, British Columbia. And John Colicos, who portrayed the formidable Kor, was born in Toronto, Ontario, to a Greek father and Canadian mother. While DeForest Kelley (McCoy) and Leonard Nimoy (Spock) were not Canadian, their performances alongside their Canadian co-stars were also celebrated in this collection.
Individual Starship Stamps: Two stamps showcase the legendary vessels that defined Star Trek's voyages. One features the sleek lines of the USS Enterprise, the symbol of exploration and discovery. The other depicts a menacing Klingon battle cruiser, representing the adversarial yet complex relationship between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Notably, these starship stamps were also available in a coil dispenser.
Lenticular Stamps: Adding a touch of dynamic visual flair, two unique lenticular
stamps
brought
iconic Star Trek moments to life. One captivating stamp illustrated the familiar shimmer of
a
transporter materialization, making figures appear and disappear with a tilt. The other
showcased the enigmatic Guardian of Forever from the classic episode "The City on the Edge
of
Forever," its swirling vortex creating an illusion of temporal passage. A limited run of
only
3500 of these lenticular stamps were produced.
Stamp designer Kosta Tsetsekas, saw lenticular as an
opportunity to recognize the shows futuristic vision
and the special effects that brought it to life.
“I felt that lenticular, developed in the 1940s, had
a bit of a low-tech feel that really mirrored the TV
special effects used in the original Star Trek series.
Thanks to newer technology, it is now possible to
show a lot more motion.”
To set these designs in motion, Jonathan Moon
and his team at New Zealand's Outer Aspect
approached the project with extra care, not only
because millions of fans would be scrutinizing the
final product but also because he, too, is a fan.
“I grew up with Star Trek, and I love how science
fiction becomes science fact. I can play a snippet of
video footage from Star Trek on a stamp, with no
electricity required."
Standard booklets: The stamps were also available in a convenient booklet. As seen in the image, this booklet featured attractive cover art. Inside, it held a complete set of the character stamps. This format provided a compact and protected way to collect and view the entire set.
Souvenir booklets: These booklets were designed to be a collector's dream, featuring
not only the stamps but also a wealth of information about the Star Trek universe.
Each page
offers a glimpse into memorable moments from the
groundbreaking television show, including then
space-age technologies - such as hand-held
communicators, convenient tablets and automatic
doors - that have since become part of our daily lives.
Designed by Kosta Tsetsekas and Adrian Horvath,
both of Vancouver-based Signals Design Group,
and with the help of CBS Studios, the booklet
includes all but the lenticular stamps issued for the
50th anniversary of Star Trek.
Well aware that the show's legion of fans would
be watching their work closely, Tsetsekas and
Horvath ensured the authenticity of the prestige
booklet by using actual images from the show and
the CBS archives. In order to capture as many key
moments as possible, pages were designed around
the key characters on the stamps, along with some
nods to Star Trek's diehard fans, with the Enterprise's
infamous 3-D chess board and an homage to the
beloved - but doomed - redshirts.
Miniature sheets: A uniquely designed miniature sheets present the character stamps, alongside a striking image of the USS Enterprise against a cosmic backdrop. These sheets offer a complete overview of the character stamps in a single, elegant presentation. They were also available in a limited edition framed version with only 1701 of them released.
First Day Covers (FDCs): These collectible envelopes featured one of the new stamps cancelled with an official postmark indicating the date and location of the stamp's initial release, making them highly sought after by collectors.
Postcards: A series of postcards featuring authentic imagery celebrating five of Star Trek's most popular episodes, including "A Piece of the Action", "The Trouble with Tribbles", "Amok Time", "Mirror, Mirror", and "The City on the Edge of Forever".
Coil Dispensers: The USS Enterprise and Klingon battle cruiser stamps were available in rolls, offering both practicality for mailing and unique collectible variations.
Large-Scale Stamps: For those wanting to make a bolder statement, oversized versions of some stamp designs were available as framed pieces or individual enlargements. On February 25, 2016, in Studio City, California, William Shatner signed enlargements of the Captain James T. Kirk stamp, which were the focus of the limited edition framed print. Only 1,100 pieces were available. All numbered.
Uncut Press Sheets: The ultimate collectible for serious philatelists, uncut sheets presented the stamps as they came off the printing press, offering a rare glimpse into the production process. Only 10,000 and 2,000 of each design were made.
Promotional Campaign: Taking Star Trek to the Streets
The release of the 2016 Canadian Star Trek stamp collection was not just a quiet affair; Canada Post embraced the anniversary with an engaging promotional campaign that brought the stamps and the Star Trek universe to a wider audience. One of the most visually striking elements of this campaign was the appearance of delivery trucks decorated with large, vibrant images of the newly released Star Trek stamps. These mobile billboards turned everyday postal vehicles into rolling celebrations of the iconic franchise, capturing the attention of both fans and the general public. Seeing these familiar trucks emblazoned with Captain Kirk, Spock, and the USS Enterprise undoubtedly generated excitement and highlighted the significance of this commemorative issue. This imaginative approach demonstrated Canada Post's commitment to making the stamp release a memorable event.
A Lasting Tribute
The 2016 Canadian Star Trek stamp collection stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Star Trek and its profound impact on popular culture. Whether you're a lifelong Trekkie, a dedicated stamp collector, or simply appreciate exceptional design, this collection offered a unique and visually stunning way to celebrate 50 years of boldly going where no one has gone before. These stamps not only served their postal duty but also acted as miniature portals to the vast and imaginative universe of Star Trek. I sincerely hope that 60 years of Star Trek will be celebrated with equally great philately items.
Check out other Star Trek articles in the blog section.