Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "A Pause in the Sleigh Ride" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Canada 17c Merry Christmas Joyeux Noel 1980 issued October 22, 1980. A fresh, soft snowfall enhances the magic of Christmas like nothing else. It brings the grand beauty of a wintry landscape, the pleasure of hearing snow creak underfoot, the longing for a cozy house and a blazing fire. Snow gives homes the smell of ski wax and wet mittens. It thrills children, who can scarcely wait to dash outdoors and build a jolly snowman. Mother's broom, Dad's old hat, two black coals, a corncob pipe and they are off. What fun winter brings for the young child; what nostalgia for the parents. The Couttes Company of Canada drew on the gaiety and tradition of winter's first snowfall when creating their company's Christmas cards -- the very first for Canada. Dating from the 1930s, these cards -- one of which is depicted on the stamp on this First Day Cover -- must have charmed many a family. On the days when the postman could trudge through the deep Canadian snow bearing packages and letters, many a young child probably waited eagerly to open the Couttes cards. Bright colors, painted ribbons, smiling figures, clever verses . . . all were part of the delightful card sealed inside the envelope. Then, carefully so as not to tear the delicate pictures, the card was hung on the Christmas tree as an ornament. From those early days, the Christmas card has become a favorite tradition in Canada, a special way of remembering friends spread far across the expansive Canadian countryside. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 17.25 x 15 in. Unframed. (B06720) See More