THE DOMINION OF CANADA.

Issue I. March and April, 1868.

Seven values. Engraved and printed in taille-douce by the British-American Bank Note Company, of Montreal and Ottawa, on white wove paper, varying greatly in substance, or on white laid paper; white gum; machine perforated 12. Designs: The central design is the same in each value, and consists of a diademed profile portrait of Queen Victoria to right, on background of horizontal lines, enclosed within a narrow circular white line. The borders, the shape of the labels, and the position of the numerals, vary in each value. Shapes, small upright rectangular for the Half Cent, large upright rectangular for the other six values. ([Illustrations 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.])

T. “CANADA POSTAGE.” B. “HALF CENT,” “ONE CENT,” “TWO,” “THREE,” “SIX,” “TWELVE AND A HALF,” “FIFTEEN CENTS.”

(A) White wove paper.

(B) White horizontal laid paper.

(C) Bluish-white wove paper.

Remarks.—The One Cent, yellow, on laid paper, is not known to the Society. It is taken from The Halifax Philatelist for July, 1888, page 74. Some of the stamps on wove paper have been catalogued with a watermark, consisting of various letters. It is probable these letters are portions of the name of the papermaker, which most likely exists in the margin of the sheets. The Half Cent, on bluish paper, is taken from the sixth edition of M. Moens’ Catalogue.

Issue II. 1870-1874.

Five values.—Engraved and printed in taille-douce by the British-American Bank Note Company on white wove paper, varying in substance; white gum; machine perforated 12. The entire sheets contain 100 stamps, each in ten rows of ten. The size of the stamps and the designs are similar to that of the Half Cent of the preceding issue, except as regards the borders of the stamps, which differ for each value. The Six Cents was not issued until January, 1872; while the Ten Cents did not make its appearance until the end of 1874. ([Illustrations 29, 30, 31, 32, 33.])

Varieties.

Remarks.—The Halifax Philatelist, in its number for February, 1887, mentions that the Three Cents exists in very dark brown, almost black. The specimen seen was unused, and purchased among others from the Post Office. Probably the change in colour is due to oxidation, or some other accidental cause.

Issue III. 1875-1876.

One Value. Similar in design to the stamps of the two last issues. The stamp first appeared on October 1st, 1875, with large dimensions, like those of Issue I.; but in March, 1876, the size was reduced to that of the stamps of Issue II. The perforation of both varieties is 12. ([Illustrations 34, 35.])

(A) Large size.

(B) Small size.

Issue IV. 1877-1880.

One value. The Fifteen Cents of Issue I. printed in modified colours. The perforation remains 12. ([Illustration 28.])

Issue V. July, 1882.

One value. A Half Cent stamp of similar design to that of Issue I., but of much smaller dimensions; printed upon white wove paper, and perforated 12. The stamp was produced by the same firm as the preceding issues, and the sheet contains 100 stamps, in ten rows of ten, as before. ([Illustration 36.])

Issue VI. 1888.

Three values. Consisting of the Two and Ten Cents, Issue II., and the Five Cents, issued in March, 1876, with the colours modified. The Two Cents was described in the Philatelic journals of the above year as printed from a new die, but on comparing the stamp carefully with that first issued, no alteration can be discovered in the design. ([Illustrations 30, 35, 33.])

REGISTRATION STAMPS.

Issue I. November 15th, 1875.

Three values. Engraved and printed in taille-douce by the British-American Bank Note Co. on white wove paper; white gum; machine-perforated 12. Design: an engine-turned cartouche, with scalloped edges at top and bottom, and labels, with value in full, at the two ends. Small straight label above inscribed “CANADA;” large curved label in centre, with “REGISTERED,” and smaller curved label below, with “LETTER STAMP,” all in white Roman capitals. Large Arabic numeral of value in the upper corners. Shape, narrow oblong rectangular. ([Illustration 37.])

Variety.

Remarks.—The Eight Cents was withdrawn from circulation in January, 1878. The Five Cents imperforate is taken from The Halifax Philatelist for November, 1888. With regard to the much disputed Two Cents, brown, the members of the Society think they cannot do better than reproduce here the interesting article published in the above-mentioned paper for January, 1888, upon this stamp.

“THE CANADIAN ERROR.

“The Canada Two Cent brown registration, is at this time mentioned frequently in the Figaro and several other philatelic publications. As there seems to be considerable doubt as to the origin, and as I was in the main instrumental in introducing them to the philatelic public, I have decided to give the information I possess on this subject to them.

“About the beginning of January, 1887, I was shown a registered letter received from Miscou Lighthouse Post-office, in New Brunswick. It had a BROWN Two Cent registration stamp on it—a clear unmistakable dark brown. I immediately wrote the postmaster there for information relative to them. He answered and said that he had twenty-three on hand; that he had originally received fifty from the Post Office Department at Ottawa; and that they were BROWN when he received them. This he stated positively. I then sent to him for them, but before my letter reached him he had used two of them, so that I received only twenty-one.

“Those stamps I showed to several philatelists, and could not get two to agree as to their origin. Some said the change in colour was due to the gum, others to chemical changes, others again said it was due to the atmosphere from the salt water. Very few would allow a misprint. In the meantime Mr. F. C. Kaye came across another registered letter with brown registration stamp. This time it was from the Post-office of New Ross, in Lunenburg Co., N.S. From this office about fifty were obtained. The postmaster at this office was also positive as to having received them from the Department at Ottawa in brown. The same objections were raised to those as to the others, as to whether they were genuine misprints or not. In this case the atmosphere of salt water was not the cause, as New Ross is in the interior. If the gum was the cause of their changing colour, it is peculiar we do not get more of them. Changes by chemical means were also tried. The only thing which would turn the red of the genuine colour to brown was sulphuric acid mixed with water, and this did not give a good clear colour, having a somewhat greyish shade in it. Those experiments have, in my opinion, confirmed their genuineness. And now as if to make assurance in regard to their genuineness more sure, we find a third Post-office with them. This was Beauly, in Antigonish Co., N.S. There were, however, only six received from there. The postmaster had the same story as the others—he had received them from the Department at Ottawa in a brown colour.

“After reading this, I do not think that any reasonable-minded person will doubt their genuineness.

“The Department at Ottawa was written to in regard to them, but, as was to be expected, knew nothing of them whatsoever. No doubt if they had been seen they would not have been allowed to be issued to the public.

“We do not deny that time does change the colour in stamps, but with those we do not think that it had anything to do. A friend of ours informed us that in looking over a lot of old letters which he had taken out of a trunk, and which had not been opened for several years, he found among them several registered letters, one with the Two Cent registration stamp almost a black, all the others having their normal colour. With due consideration and deference to better judges than myself, I have no doubt in saying that it is my firm belief that those Canada Two Cent, brown, registration stamps are a genuine misprint.

“Donald A. King.”

The members have not had an opportunity of examining any of the specimens referred to in Mr. King’s paper, so they are unable to give an opinion upon them. At the same time it should be stated that copies of this stamp are frequently met with showing traces of oxidation; some changed completely to brown or even black in colour. It seems therefore probable that the specimens described by Mr. King may be referred to the same category.

OFFICIAL STAMP FOR RETURNED LETTERS.

1879 (?).

The stamp in shape is a large oblong rectangular, printed in taille-douce upon white wove paper, and perforated 12. The design consists of a straight label of solid colour inscribed, in white block letters, “OFFICIALLY SEALED;” above this are the words “POST OFFICE CANADA,” in a curved line; and below the label “DEAD LETTER OFFICE,” also in a curve, both inscriptions being in small coloured Roman capitals. The rest of the design is composed of engine-turning, with ornaments of a trefoil character in the four corners. ([Illustration 38.])

Remarks.—The only information the Society can give about this stamp is contained in an article in The Halifax Philatelist for December, 1887, which is reproduced here for the benefit of those collectors who may not have seen it.

“THE ‘OFFICIALLY SEALED’ DEAD LETTER OFFICE STAMP OF CANADA.

“While endeavouring to afford some information about those interesting and handsome adhesives emanating only from the Dead Letter Office at Ottawa, I regret being unable to give all their history or chronology. What is said here the writer has gained his knowledge by observation and experience. Doubtless there are others who can speak of matters connected with these stamps which the writer knows nothing of. In the first place they are scarce, very, which is to be accounted for when we consider the manner of their use. They are never found on Local Dead Letters, registered or unregistered. What have been seen here have all come from the United States, and always on returned dead registered letters. I discovered the manner of their use quite accidentally. A friend who travels in Canada for a United States firm showed me a letter which had been returned to his address in Michigan, and which he had posted in Canada for a Canadian address, and registered; and for some reason, misdirection or what not, the letter was not delivered to party addressed—had been sent to Dead Letter Office, Ottawa, where, on being opened to ascertain address of writer, it was resealed and adorned by Dead Letter Office Crown Official Seal Stamp, sent to Dead Letter Office, Washington, U.S., and then sent on registered to the writer’s address in Michigan, where he obtained it, and exhibited it triumphantly to me.

“The stamp itself is a large oblong, 17 × 34, perforated, and printed in brown, on thick white paper. Inscribed in three lines, ‘POST OFFICE, CANADA—OFFICIALLY SEALED—DEAD LETTER OFFICE.’

“It would be appropriate to have the colour of the stamp black.

“No. 2, C. P. A.”

ENVELOPES.

Issue I. End of 1877.

Two values. On white paper, laid obliquely, without watermark; yellowish gum, extending nearly the whole length of the flap, which is pointed. The stamp is embossed in the right upper corner. Design: Diademed head of Queen Victoria to left in white relief, on ground of solid colour, enclosed by an oval band inscribed in Roman capitals, in white relief, “CANADA POSTAGE” at the top, and the value in words at the bottom. Shape of stamp, large upright oval. ([Illustrations 39, 40.])

Size A. 5⁹⁄₂₀ × 3¹⁄₁₀ inches.

Size B. 5⁹⁄₁₀ × 3³⁄₁₀ inches.

Issue II. 1881.

Two values. Similar in all respects to the last issue, except that the flap is tongue-shaped, instead of being pointed. ([Illustrations 39, 40.])

Size A. 5⁹⁄₂₀ × 3¹⁄₁₀ inches.

Size B. 5⁹⁄₁₀ × 3³⁄₁₀ inches.

Issue III. 1888.

Two values. Same as the last issue, but the paper is rosy-white in tint. ([Illustrations 39, 40.])

Size A. 5⁹⁄₂₀ × 3¹⁄₁₀ inches.

Size B. 5⁹⁄₁₀ × 3³⁄₁₀ inches.

Remarks.—The envelopes and wrappers of Issues I. and II., and the cards of Issue V., are frequently met with, with the stamp surcharged in red, blue, or black with the word “OFFICIAL” or “SERVICE,” and sometimes the arms of Great Britain are found added to the left of the stamp, and “HEAD QUARTERS—63RD RIFLES” in two lines lower down, to left. These surcharges are in no way official, but merely due to private speculation.

WRAPPERS.

Issue I. May, 1875, to end 1881.

One value. On light buff and yellowish-white wove unwatermarked paper. The stamp is impressed at the right side of the wrapper, about two and a half inches from the top. Design: Diademed profile of Queen Victoria to right upon a background of horizontal lines, enclosed within an oval band of solid colour contained between two white lines, the inner one of which has ornaments running round the central oval. The band is inscribed in Roman capitals “CANADA POSTAGE” above, and “ONE CENT” below. At either side, between the two inscriptions, are small circles containing a fancy Arabic numeral of value. Above and below the circles are conventional ornaments, and beneath the bottom ones a small Maltese cross. Shape of stamp, an upright oval. The wrappers are gummed at the reverse side in a straight line along the top. The gum used is brown or white in colour, and the quantity employed varies greatly in different specimens. Two sizes of the wrappers are known. ([Illustration 41.])

Size A. 9³⁄₁₀ × 5 inches.

Size B. 11 × 5 inches. (End 1881.)

Variety. With the stamp printed to left. (May, 1878.)

Remarks.—The band with stamp to left is taken from The Sixth Edition of M. Moens’ Catalogue, where the size is given as 290 × 165 mm. This variety is unknown to the members of the Society.

Issue II. 1882.

One value. On light buff, straw, or cream-coloured wove unwatermarked paper. Size, 11 × 5 inches, varying slightly in the dimensions. The stamp is impressed in a similar position to that found on Issue I., and the design is a modification of the type of that issue. The principal alterations made are found in the circles at the sides containing the numeral of value. These have now no ornaments at the top; while those at the bottom, with the Maltese crosses, are replaced by other conventional ornaments of a different pattern. The central oval of the stamp has no ornaments running round it. ([Illustration 42.])

(A) On light buff paper.

(B) On straw paper.

(C) On cream paper.

Issue III. 1887.

One value. On cream or straw wove unwatermarked paper, of the same dimensions as the preceding issue. The design of the stamp is once again modified. It is more like that found on the wrapper of Issue I., but there is no wavy line round the interior of the oval, and the numeral of value in the circles has a white line at either side of the figure. ([Illustration 43.])

(A) On cream paper.

(B) On straw paper.

OFFICIAL WRAPPER.

One value, consisting of the wrapper of Issue I., size A, with inscription to the left of the stamp in three lines as follows: First, “INLAND REVENUE, CANADA,” in fancy letters, with capital initials; second, “WEIGHTS & MEASURES SERVICE,” in tall thin Roman capitals; third, “Official Circular,” in italic letters. There is an ornamental wavy line between the first and second, and second and third lines. Lower down to left is the word “TO,” followed by two ruled straight lines, the bottom one being somewhat shorter than the other. Beneath these lines for the address is the following notice, “This band is to be used on Her Majesty’s Service only, and must have no writing thereon but the name and address.” At the top of the wrapper the equivalent French translation of the preceding inscriptions is given. The whole of the legend is printed in blue, of a lighter shade than the stamp. ([Illustration 41.])

Remarks.—The wrappers of Issues I. and II. are found with the stamp surcharged across the centre with the word “OFFICIAL” or “SERVICE,” in black or blue ink. See the remarks appended to Issue III. of the envelopes.

POST CARDS.

Issue I. June (?), 1871.

One value.—Designed and printed by the British-American Bank Note Company upon light buff card; size, 4½ × 3 inches. At the top are two lines of inscription. First, “CANADA POST CARD,” in Roman capitals; second, “THE ADDRESS ONLY TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE,” in block letters. Lower down are three ruled lines, diminishing in length, and the first is headed by the word “TO” in fancy script type. Between the last line and the frame at the bottom of the card, in the centre, is “British-American Bank Note Co., Montreal and Ottawa,” in small type. The stamp is in the right upper corner. Design: Diademed head of Queen Victoria to right, upon ground of horizontal lines, within a dotted circle, which is surrounded by an ornamental frame. The corners are filled in with horizontal lines, and in the centre of each is a small trilobed figure with three balls within a circle. At the bottom of the stamp is a straight label of solid colour, with rounded ends, inscribed “ONE CENT,” in Roman capitals. The card is completed by an engine-turned frame; size, 4⅓ × 2½ inches. The inscription and the label of value at the bottom of the stamp are in darker colour than the rest of the design. The cards are separated on the sheet by thin coloured lines running the whole length of the cards. ([Illustration 44.])

Issue II. 1876.

One value. Similar to Issue I., but the inscription at the bottom of the card is altered to “British-American Bank Note Co., Montreal,” and the cards are separated on the sheet by short lines of colour at the centre of the sides of the cards. ([Illustration 44.])

Issue III. 1st January, 1877.

One value. Designed and printed by the British-American Bank Note Company upon light buff card; size, 4⁷⁄₁₀ × 3 inches. The inscription is in four lines at the top of the card. First, “CANADA POST CARD,” in ornamental Roman capitals, arched; second, “TO;” third, “UNITED KINGDOM,” in italic Roman capitals; fourth, “THE ADDRESS ONLY,” &c., in block letters. Lower down “TO,” in fancy script type, and three dotted lines for the address. At the centre of the card at the bottom, in small type, is “British-American Bank Note Co., Montreal.” The stamp is in the right upper corner. Design: The design resembles the stamp on Issue I., but the circle containing the head is enclosed by a plain line. The corners are differently filled in, and the label of value is more ornamented. The frame of the card is composed of three-quarter discs, with larger ornaments of a different nature at the four corners; size, 1³⁄₁₀ × 2⅗ inches. ([Illustration 45.])

Issue IV. July (?), 1879.

One value. Similar in all respects to the last issue, except as regards the inscription and stamp. The inscription is in three lines, as follows: 1st, “UNION POSTALE UNIVERSELLE,” each word commencing with a Roman capital; 2nd, “CANADA POST CARD,” in Roman capitals, the initial letter of each word being in larger type than the rest; 3rd, “THE ADDRESS ONLY,” &c., in block letters. The stamp is larger, and above and below the circle containing the head are small arched labels of solid colour, inscribed “CANADA” and “POSTCARD” respectively in Roman capitals. The label containing the value is larger, and the remainder of the design is different. ([Illustration 46.])

Issue V. June, 1882.

One value. Impressed upon light buff card. Size, 5¹⁄₁₀ × 2⁹⁄₁₀ inches. At the top of the card is an arched scroll, inscribed “CANADA POST CARD,” in coloured Roman capitals; and below this, in a straight line measuring 2¹⁷⁄₂₀ inches, “THE ADDRESS TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE,” in block letters. The stamp, type of that on the wrapper of Issue II., is placed in the right upper corner. The card is without frame. ([Illustration 47.])

Issue VI. 1888.

One value. Printed upon light buff card as last, but the stamp is replaced by one of the same type as that found on the wrapper of Issue I.

Remarks.—This card has not been seen by the Society. It is taken from the third supplement in M. Moens’ Catalogue.

Issue VII. 1888.

One value. Impressed upon light buff card, like the previous issue; but the stamp is similar in type to that found upon the wrappers of Issue III. The line of directions, “THE ADDRESS TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE,” measures only 2¾ inches. ([Illustration 48.])

Remarks.—In 1887 several of the Philatelic Journals described another variety of the One Cent card, having the inscription at the top of the stamp altered to “CANADA POST CARD” in place of “CANADA POSTAGE.” The reply card was also said to have been issued with the same modification in the stamp. Neither of these cards is known to the Society, and their existence has since been denied.

REPLY PAID CARDS.

Issue I. December 20th, 1882.

One value. Precisely similar to the single card of Issue V., except that the second half has the word “REPLY” in block letters beneath the scroll. The cards are folded along the top, and the design is impressed upon the first and third pages.

Issue II. 1885.

One value. Similar to the last issue, but the stamps are impressed in the left upper corners of the cards.

Issue III. 1888.

One value. Corresponding in all respects to Issue VII. of the single cards; but the second half has the word “REPLY” in block letters beneath the scroll. The cards are folded along the top, and the design is impressed upon the first and third pages.

OFFICIAL CARD.

For the use of the Customs Postal Package Office for notifying to the adressè the arrival of a package liable to duty. A notice form is printed at the back of the card in black, with spaces left for the particulars to be inserted by hand. The face of the card has nothing whatever upon it.

Remarks.—The cards of Issue V. are met with, with the stamp surcharged “OFFICIAL” or “SERVICE,” &c. &c.; but, as stated in the remarks after Issue III. of the envelopes, the surcharges are in no way official.