Our neighbor to the north began issuing stamps in 1851 as the Province of Canada (before forming the dominion with other British colonies of North America). The 3p red imperforate stamp pictured a large beaver. According to the 2019 Postage Stamp Guide, that busy beaver was a symbol of the young nation as it built itself. And a reference to the beaver skins formerly used in trade. In 1867 the Dominion of Canada was born becoming a self-governing member of the British Commonwealth. Twenty years later Canada produced what the first Christmas stamps – Scott #85 and 86. Their design is a map of the extensive British Empire and below it is inscribed “Xmas 1898”.