New Issue: Jack-O'-Lanterns (Canada)

A new issue from Canada has been released in time for Hallowe'en! Some of you will know from what I wrote last year that I am a big fan of Hallowe'en stamps! Do I like this set of three stamps? Last year I said that my favourite Hallowe'en themed stamps were the Haunted Canada stamps of 2014-2016. I don't know if these are quite as good, but I definitely like them. Design Quality: It's a very striking design and the use of colour and shadow is very effective. The three stamps follow a very similar idea, with the Jack O' Lantern in the centre surrounded by some creepy things and spooky shadows in the background. It's the same idea repeated for each stamp with different lights, shadows and pumpkins. I think coming up with a concept and then simply tweaking a few details shows a lack of imagination, but the design is still strong. I actually think the first day cover design is even better. 7/10

Theme and Subject Choice: It's October. The world needs Hallowe'en stamps! 8/10 Historical and Cultural Relevance: Interestingly, in addition to the usual Hallowe'en customs that are celebrated around the world, there is some local Canadian cultural relevance. The cover is postmarked at Smoky Lane in Alberta, also known as the “pumpkin capital of Alberta" and which hosts the annual Great White North Pumpkin Weigh-Off & Fair. 7/10 Innovation and Creativity: I think the overall design is very creative and captures the spirit of Hallowe'en - I just feel it could have been even better if the stamps were more different from each other. 8/10 Collectability: There are collectors who really like Hallowe'en stamps, or stamps that are a little spooky. And there still aren't that many of them, which makes issues like this more collectable. 8/10 Personal Appeal: Aside from my minor criticism about the stamps being repeats of the same idea, overall I really like this set. It looks so much better on the first day cover as well. 9/10 Overall Score: 47/60