About This Stamp
The 5-cent Canoe of the Transportation coil series features a birch bark canoe, reminiscent of those made by the Chippewa or Ojibwa Indians of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The 5-cent Canoe was intended for all rate categories for nonprofit and bulk third-class mail.
The stamp was printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on the C press with a plate number every 48 stamps. It was issued in untagged coils of 500 and 3,000 stamps on May 25, 1991, at Secaucus, New Jersey.
A new version of the 5-cent Canoe with the vignette printed in red and the service inscription in black was issued on October 22, 1991, again at Secaucus, New Jersey. It was printed by J. W. Fergusson and Sons, Richmond, Virginia, for Stamp Venturers on the Champlain with a plate number at intervals of 33 stamps. It was issued only in untagged coils of 10,000 stamps with water-activated, shiny gum and Lo-Gloss Gum.
The stamp was designed by Paul Calle of Stamford, Connecticut. Kenneth Kipperman engraved the vignette, and the letters and numerals were engraved by Gary Slaught. Both engravers worked for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.