in the preparation of a new die
for the Canadian stamps. The Prince, with his characteristic energy
and courtesy, cheerfully undertook the task, and it will be seen
from our illustration with absolute and conspicuous success. H. R.
H. wisely decided, in the first instance, that it is advisable to
have some continuity of design in succeeding issues, and therefore
adopted the frame and groundwork of the then current stamps as a
basis. In selecting a portrait of His Majesty the Prince decided to
rely upon a photograph giving a true likeness of the King as we
know him, in lieu of an idealised representation by an artist. The
photograph eventually chosen, with the full approval of His
Majesty, was one taken shortly before the Coronation.

The likeness is undoubtedly what is termed a speaking one, and with
the addition of the Coronation robes represents as faithful and as
pleasing a picture of the King, at the time of his accession to the
throne, as it is possible to find. The introduction of the Tudor
crowns in the upper angles, which was another of the Prince's
innovations, obviates the difficulty that has so often made "the
head that wears a crown" lie "uneasy" on a postage stamp. These
emblems of sovereignty, taken in conjunction with the Canadian
maple leaves in the lower angles, completes a design that for
harmony, boldness and simplicity has assuredly not been excelled by
any hitherto issued stamps of the British Empire. It is palpable,
on analysing the stamp, (1) that the attractiveness of the design
has in no way been allowed to militate against its utility, for the
country of origin and denomination are clearly expressed; (2) that
the boldness of the design has not been detracted from (as is so
often the case) by superfluous ornamentation, and that the design
has been artistically balanced by the introduction of the
_right-sized portrait_ and the proper treatment of light and shade.

These stamps were, of course, printed from line-engraved plates like
those of the preceding issues, and the same sheet arrangement of 100
stamps in ten rows of ten each was followed. The marginal imprint shown
on the top margin of each sheet is like that shown on the Queen's head
sheets and the plates for each value were numbered from 1 upwards. Mr.
Howes records the following plates as having