A gift from Canada Post
The Canadian Postal Museum adds an impressive piece to its collection
Gatineau, Quebec, September 18, 2003 — The Canadian Postal Museum of the Canadian Museum of Civilization has just acquired an optical character reader, an impressive object both in size and historical significance. It was the first instrument of its kind used in Canada to automatically sort mail. This gift from Canada Post was delivered to the Canadian Museum of Civilization today.
When Canada adopted postal codes in the early 1970s, the optical character reader was introduced to read the codes. It was a major step in the development of mail service in Canada. This electronic device, at the time considered cutting-edge technology, was part of the first generation of mechanized equipment adopted by Canada Post.
Canada Post is a major sponsor of the Canadian Postal Museum. Since 1988, the two institutions have worked closely together to preserve the country’s postal heritage — an example of a fruitful association between a Crown Corporation and a national museum. Canada Post’s regular donations of postal objects are among its many contributions to the development of the Museum’s collections.
The optical character reader will join about 49,000 objects and 240,000 philatelic artifacts in the Museum’s collection. The Canadian Postal Museum is the only Canadian museum with a mandate to protect objects that are part of Canadian and world postal heritage.
N.B.: Photos are available for media upon request.
Media Information:
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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