Subplot was commissioned to create a stamp and accompanying products to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the life-saving discovery of insulin, discovered in 1921 by Frederick Banting, James Collip and John Macleod at the University of Toronto. Banting and his colleagues received the Nobel Price for their groundbreaking discovery and millions of people with diabetes are being treated with Insulin to this day.

The main stamp image is a combination of an original, antique vial of insulin and a page from Banting’s handwritten diary, elaborating on how he came up with the idea for extracting insulin in the early hours of a sleepless morning. Both items are part of the University of Toronto’s Archives and were loaned to Subplot for the main stamp photography, shot beautifully by Seth Stevenson.
The Official First Day Cover (OFDC) features actual envelopes addressed to Dr. Banting, containing letters of congratulations from peers to gratitude from patients and families touched by this new, life-saving drug. The custom Cancel is an illustration of a Colorimeter; a piece of lab equipment essential to Banting’s work.

The stamp launched at two major events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Insulin in conjunction with the University of Toronto. Since the launch it’s been picked up by a number of mainstream and design focused media across the country.