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 Bouctouche NB, Antonine Maillet’s place of birth.

About the issue

This issue is a celebration of contemporary (20^th/21^st 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 and Official First Day Covers over the years.

Antonine Maillet (1929-)

Antonine Maillet, C.C., was born in Bouctouche, New Brunswick. From a young age, she developed a passion for her Acadian identity, language and customs, which were being disrupted by mass media and urbanization.

Writing against that trend, Maillet published La Sagouine (1971; trans. 2007), a collection of monologues written in old Acadian French that pays tribute to the region’s oral tradition.

Her 1979 novel Pélagie-la-Charrette (Pélagie: The Return to a Homeland, 1982), recounts the return to Acadia of some of those deported by the British during the Great Upheaval of 1755, and won France’s prestigious Prix Goncourt, a first for a non-European author.

About the design

The Antonine Maillet Official First Day Cover features a photograph chosen by the author.

Product # 414279131

French-Canadian Authors – Antonine Maillet: Official First Day Cover