Through their unique observations of humanity’s flaws and aspirations, these five French-Canadian authors – Marie-Claire Blais, Jean Marc Dalpé, Dany Laferrière, Antonine Maillet and Marguerite-A. Primeau – have interpreted the world around them with honesty and compassion. Recognized throughout La Francophonie for their talents and accomplishments, and recipients of national and international accolades, these distinguished writers have brought French-Canadian literature to the world stage.

Good to know

The French-Canadian Authors issue also includes a booklet of 10 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps that features two of each of the five stamp designs in the set.
Official First Day Covers for each author in the issue are also available.
The cancel location is St. Paul, Alberta, Primeau’s place of birth.

About the issue

This stamp issue is a celebration of contemporary (20th/21st century) French-Canadian writing, emphasizing authors from francophone communities across the country.

Canada Post has a long tradition of celebrating Canadian cultural achievement and has featured numerous authors, writing in both French and English, on stamps over the years.

Marguerite-A. Primeau (1914-2011)

Marguerite-A. Primeau was born in Saint-Paul-des-Métis (now St. Paul), Alberta and was a pioneering figure of francophone literature in western Canada.

Her first novel, Dans le muskeg (1960), accurately portrays the struggle of francophones in western Canada to preserve their language and culture.

She went on to win a Prix Champlain in 1986 for Sauvage-Sauvageon (1984; Savage Rose, 1999) and published two short story collections. Long favoured by critics, Primeau’s work has in recent years received the attention it deserves.

About the design

The Marguerite-A. Primeau Official First Day Cover features a photograph of the author chosen by her family.

Product # 414277131

French-Canadian Authors – Marguerite-A. Primeau: Official First Day Cover