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The Stamps of Canada

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

With this issue we begin a new series, and expand our coverage of Canada to include the older issues as well as the new issues.

In this case, “new” also is old, as one aspect will be a reprinting, with updates and new images, of The Stamps of Canada, a booklet that was produced for Mekeel's Weekly by Bertram W. H. Poole—the cover of which is reproduced here.

If you collect Canada, or you are interested in exploring the philately of Canada, we also have on StampNewsNow.com, under US & Worldwide Postal Services, articles on all of Canada's 2013 new issues. Also of interest to Canada collectors, advertisers who have a significant Canada stock include . . .

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter I

Based on a Mekeel’s Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

We continue in this issue with a reprinting, with updates and new images, of The Stamps of Canada, a booklet that was produced for Mekeel’s Weekly by Bertram W. H. Poole. Although this installment headed Chapter I in the booklet, it was preceded by an Introduction that
we presented in our Parts 1 and 2.

Chapter I.—Its Postal History.
The Stamp Collector’s Magazine for August, 1868, contained an interesting article on the history of the Canadian Post-office, largely compiled from information given in the “Canadian Postal Guide,” which we cannot do better than quote in full. . . .

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter II

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter II.—A Postmaster's Provisional.
Postage stamps were first placed on sale to the public in Canada on April 23rd, 1851, as we shall show later, but, according to an interesting article which appeared in the London Philatelist for June, 1904, it seems possible that at least one postmaster anticipated events slightly by issuing a stamped envelope of his own shortly before the regular governmental stamps were ready. It will perhaps simplify matters to . . .

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter III

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter III.—The First Issue.
In common with the other Colonies of British North America, Canada was granted the privilege of administrating its own postal service in 1850, and in the same year an Act was passed providing for the change. It is hardly necessary to quote this Act in full though the following extracts are of interest: . . .

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter IV

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter IV—The Second Issue.
The third report of the Postmaster-General for Canada, dated March 31st, 1854, refers to a change in the rates of postage on single letters sent abroad and also mentions the possibility of additions to the meagre set of three values then current, viz.:—

In March, 1854, the charge on packet letters between Canada and the United Kingdom and most foreign countries was reduced by the Imperial Government from 1s 2d sterling to 8d sterling the 1/2 oz., when sent in the closed mails through the United States, and from 1s sterling to 6d when sent from a provincial port—Quebec and Halifax. Should no further changes be likely soon to take place in . . .

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter V

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter V—The Perforated Pence Stamps
In the Report of the Postmaster-General for September 30th, 1857, to which we have already made reference, we read:—

Moreover, the Department has been led, by the increasing use of Postage Stamps, to take measures for obtaining the Canadian Postage Stamps in sheets
perforated in the dividing lines, in the manner adopted in England, to facilitate the separation of a single stamp from the others on a sheet when required for use.

From the above statement, one would naturally infer that such a useful innovation would be adopted at once, especially so when it is considered that . . .

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter VI

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter VI—The First “Cents” Issue
While the somewhat cumbrous English currency of pounds, shillings and pence has presented little or no difficulty in those parts of the Empire where it has always been on the same basis as in the Mother country, the fact that in Canada it had two valuations—“ currency” and “sterling”— made it an inevitable conclusion that a change would have to be made sooner or later. The close proximity of Canada to the United States gave it a very practical illustration of the advantages of a . . .

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter VII, Part 1

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter VII—The First Dominion Issue
The steady growth of Upper Canada, chiefly due to immigration, until it had twice the population of its sister Province, Lower Canada, aroused cries for a readjusted representation, which threatened the French with a hopeless minority in Parliament and the country with another impasse. The federation of all the provinces under something like the American system was the only solution; and with, for the most part, the cordial cooperation of the maritime provinces, the great scheme was carried through, and the new dominion launched in 1867. Each province retained its . . .

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter VIII

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter VIII.—The 1¢ Orange of 1869
The 1¢ and 3¢ stamps of 1868 were so alike in color that it was soon found that confusion was easily possible between the two values. Early in 1869, therefore, the color of the 1¢ was changed to orange to prevent further mistakes. [Sc. lists the common shade, yellow orange, as #23, but the earliest shade was the scarcer deep orange, Sc. 23a. JFD.] The exact date at which this change took place is not known, but in the Stamp Collector's Magazine for March 1st, 1869, we read:—

We have just received copies of the 1 cent printed…

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter IX

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter IX.—The Large 5¢ Stamp
Although it somewhat interrupts the chronological sequence of our narrative, it will be as well to give the history of the large 5¢ stamp which, though not issued until 1875, really belongs by virtue of its type and general appearance to the series of 1868. It is known that the die for this 5¢ stamp was engraved in 1867 at the same time the dies for the 1/2¢, 1¢, 2¢, 3¢, 6¢, 12-1/2¢ and 15¢ values were prepared for, in the American Journal of Philately for June, 1868, it is stated:—

The Canadian Government have had a 5 cent stamp prepared, engraved of the same…

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter X

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter X—The Small "Cents" Stamps
In the American Journal of Philately for August, 1869, we read "Canada is shortly to have a new set of stamps. Taking lessons in economy from our own country, it seems they are about altering their stamps to make them smaller, so as to save paper. The head will still remain exactly the same as now, but the frame and the margin around the head will be considerably less. We cannot see how this can be done without spoiling the beauty of the stamp. As to whether they are to retain the same colors we are unable to say."

The 1869 issue of the United States was in use at that time and though this series is now generally…

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter XI

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter XI.—The 20¢ and 50¢ Stamps of 1893
The Postmaster-General's Report for 1892 states that "Postage stamps of the value of 20 cents and 50 cents are about to be issued. These will be useful in prepayment of parcel post." These high values were, of course, intended to be used in making up relatively large amounts of postage. They were not issued to be used in prepayment of any specific rates though a study of the postal rates of the period show that the postage on a parcel weighing up to one pound sent to the United Kingdom would require a…

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter XII

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter XII.—The 8¢ Stamp of 1893
Until 1889 the registration fee had to be prepaid by means of the special stamps issued for the purpose. When, in 1889, a uniform registration fee of 5¢ was adopted the public were given permission to use the ordinary postage stamps in making up the difference between the old rate of 2¢ and the new one. This was done largely to enable the old 2¢ labels to be used up. In 1893 it was decided to discontinue the use of special registration stamps altogether and to permit the payment of the registry fee by means of the regular postage stamps. As the rate of domestic postage was 3¢ at that time and the registration fee was 5¢, a new stamp, by means of which both postage and registration could be paid together, it was decided, would be useful. Consequently an…

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter XIII

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter XIII.—The Diamond Jubilee Issue
The year 1897 was eventful in the history of the British Empire, for on June 20th the greatly revered Queen Victoria celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of her accession to the throne. Naturally such an epochal event was marked in one way or another in even the most remote corners of the Empire. In some cases there were public celebrations and rejoicings with, perhaps the erection of memorials, while some of the colonies marked the event by the issue of special series of postage stamps.

The Dominion of Canada commemorated the "Diamond Jubilee" by the issue of a highly ornate set of [16] stamps, and the inclusion of what were widely termed …

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter XIV

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter XIV.—The Maple Leaf Issue of 1897
Soon after the printing contract was awarded to the American Bank Note Company it was rumoured that a new series of stamps would be issued, but for a time public expectations of the new stamps were overshadowed by the appearance of the Diamond Jubilee issue. …

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The Stamps of Canada, Chapter XV, Part I

Based on a Mekeel's Weekly Publication by B. W. H. Poole, with images added

Chapter XV.—The Numeral Issue of 1898
The "maple-leaf" issue had not been long in use before complaints were made that owing to the lack of plain numerals it was a difficult matter to distinguish the various denominations. In its issue for April 2nd, 1898, the Metropolitan Philatelist stated another ground for complaint and also referred to a forthcoming change. ...

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