Rose Blanche Lighthouse Special Cancellation

08/12/04 7:38 PM

1-800-758-1444

Rose Blanche Lighthouse Special Cancellation

South West Coast Development Association with their partner, R.B. Lighthouse Inc., is pleased to announce the launching of the Rose Blanche lighthouse cancellation stamp for the post office in Rose Blanche. The first day usage of this cancellation stamp is scheduled for May 24, 2000.

Adding to the value of this cancellation stamp, it will be used each year by the Rose Blanche post office during the months that the lighthouse is open to the public. All mail leaving the Rose Blanche post office will be marked with this stamp. This is an added attraction to the Rose Blanche lighthouse and area and is sure to be sought after by lighthouse enthusiasts and stamp collectors around the world.

The Rose Blanche Lighthouse was built in 1871 using local quarried granite. It was lit in 1873 by a lighting apparatus designed by D & T Stevenson, Lighthouse Engineers of Edinburg, Scotland. This is the family of the noted author, Robert Louis Stevenson. The lighthouse was decommissioned prior to confederation. In 1988, South West Coast Development Association began the process of restoring the lighthouse with actual restoration work beginning in 1996. The lighthouse was fully restored and opened to the public in July of 1999. Rose Blanche Lighthouse is one of the last remaining granite lighthouses on the Atlantic Seaboard.

Audrey Payne, a Canadian Post employee in Port aux Basques, gave the idea for the cancellation stamp to South West Coast Development Association. Ms. Payne was presented with a framed picture of the Rose Blanche lighthouse for her suggestion. “It is wonderful what the area can achieve when we work together,” states Rita Anderson, Executive Director for South West Coast Development Association. Rose Blanche Lighthouse now joins Cape Spear and Peggy’s Cove lighthouses as a cancellation stamp. This makes the Rose Blanche Lighthouse the third lighthouse in Atlantic Canada to be recognized in this manner by Canada Post. Jeff Musseau of Musseau’s Signs, Port aux Basques, Newfoundland did the artwork for the cancellation stamp.

For more information, call Rita Anderson of the South West Coast Development Association at 709-695-7411, fax: 709-695-2700 or email to

rita.swcda@nf.sympatico.ca

This story appeared in the June 2000 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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