Issue I. September 6th, 1851.
_Three values._ Engraved and printed in _taille-douce_ by Messrs.
Perkins, Bacon, and Co., of London, on stoutish blue wove paper, varying
in colour from deep to pale blue; yellowish gum, imperforate. Design:
In the centre, in an octagonal-shaped _cartouche_, with engine-turned
border, is the Royal Crown. Above, below, and on either side, is an
eight-rayed star, containing the heraldic flowers of the United Kingdom.
The upper and lower have the rose, that on the left the shamrock, and
that on the right the thistle, the rose in the lower star being inverted.
A curved white line surrounds the stars, the angles formed by which are
filled in with floral ornaments; engine-turned background. Reticulated
side labels, inscribed with name of Colony in plain Roman capitals;
“POSTAGE” in plain block letters, and the value in various type. That on
the Three Pence is in plain Roman capitals, and in block letters on the
other two values. In the Six Pence both the word “POSTAGE” and the value
show a line of colour down the centre of each letter. Plain lozenge in
each corner of the stamp, with coloured Arabic numeral of value. Shape,
lozenge. (_Illustrations 49, 50, 51._)
Upper left border, “NEW;” upper right, “BRUNSWICK;” lower left border,
“THREE PENCE,” “SIX PENCE,” “ONE SHILLING;” lower right, “POSTAGE.”
3d., vermilion (shades).
6d., yellow, orange yellow ( ” ).
1s., lilac-mauve, violet ( ” ).
_Varieties._—The Three Pence exists upon white paper, but the variety is
only due to the discharge of the blue colouring matter from the paper,
as the stamp was never printed upon white. Each of the values is met
with cut in two, and used as half the value of the stamp so mutilated.
The Six Pence is also known divided into four triangular pieces, each
quarter being used, in conjunction with a whole Six Pence, to make up
the postal rate of 7½d. These bisected stamps were used to prepay the
postage rate to the United Kingdom, which in 1857 was reduced to 7½d.;
and as there was no stamp of this value in use, recourse had to be made
to these varieties. The Three Pence has been seen divided obliquely,
and surcharged in red “1½.” The same surcharge is also said to exist
in black. Neither of these two stamps has come under the notice of the
Society; but from certain remarks contained in two articles, which may be
found in _The Philatelic Record_, vol. viii. pp. 165 and 219, there can
be little doubt that the surcharge is “bogus.”
Issue II. May 15th, 1860.
_Five values._ Engraved and printed in _taille-douce_ by the American
Bank Note Company, of New York, on white wove paper; brownish gum;
machine perforated 12. The entire sheet of each value contains 100
stamps, arranged in ten rows of ten. There is no engraver’s name found on
the margins of the sheets of the four lowest values, but the Seventeen
Cents has “American Bank Note Co., New York,” on the edges of the sheet.
This value and the Five Cents were not issued until after the other three
stamps. Designs: ONE CENT.—Railway train, within transverse coloured
oval band inscribed in white Roman capitals. Small slanting ovals in the
upper, and larger upright ovals in the lower corners, with white Arabic
numeral of value. Curved octagonal label below, with “CENT” in white
Roman capitals. The remainder of the stamp is filled in with fine hatched
lines, with border of two plain coloured lines. FIVE CENTS.—Diademed,
nearly full-face portrait, of Queen Victoria looking to left, on ground
of horizontal lines, within an upright coloured oval, lettered in
white Roman capitals. Small slanting ovals in the upper, and larger
upright ones in the lower corners, with white Arabic numerals of value.
Oblong octagonal label below, with “CENTS” in white Roman capitals. The
spandrels are filled in with hatched lines, and two outer lines of colour
complete the design. TEN CENTS.—Similar to last, but small slanting ovals
in the spandrels, with Roman numeral in white. The bottom corners of the
stamp contain small octagonal coloured labels, with white Arabic numerals
of value. TWELVE AND A HALF CENTS.—Steamer sailing to right in transverse
oval, lettered with white Roman capitals. Small octagonal labels in the
upper, and larger circular ones in the lower corners, containing Arabic
numerals of value in white. Beneath the oval is a curved octagonal label
with “CENTS” in white Roman capitals. The spandrels are filled in with
hatching, and two outer lines of colour complete the design. SEVENTEEN
CENTS.—Nearly full face portrait of the Prince of Wales in Highland
costume looking to right, within a coloured upright oval lettered with
white Roman capitals. Small transverse ovals in each corner, with Arabic
numerals of value in white. Straight oblong octagonal label below the
oval, with “CENTS” in white Roman capitals. Spandrels filled in with
hatching, and border of two outer coloured lines. Shapes, small oblong
rectangular for the One and Twelve and a Half Cents; small upright
rectangular for the other three values. (_Illustrations 52, 53, 54, 55,
56._)
T. “NEW BRUNSWICK POSTAGE.” B. “ONE CENT,” “FIVE,” “TEN,”
“TWELVE AND A HALF,” “SEVENTEEN CENTS.”
1 c., lilac-brown, reddish-mauve (shades).
5 c., bronze-green, green ( ” ).
10 c., scarlet-vermilion ( ” ).
12½ c., Prussian blue ( ” ).
17 c., black ( ” ).
_Remarks._—The reason the Five Cents was not issued at the same time as
the One, Ten, and Twelve and a Half Cents stamps was, that Mr. Charles
Connell, who was Postmaster-General of the Colony at that time, had
ordered his own portrait to be engraved upon this value. It will be
seen from the interesting correspondence Mr. King gives in _The Halifax
Philatelist_ for June, July, and August, 1888, which is reproduced here,
that the Council disapproved of the design, and refused to allow the
stamps to be distributed. Mr. Connell was ordered at the same time to
obtain a fresh supply of Five Cents stamps with the head of Her Majesty.
The Connell Five Cents can therefore only be looked upon as a stamp
prepared for use, notwithstanding postmarked copies are known, as it is
quite clear from Mr. King’s article the stamp was never issued to the
public. In design, it is almost similar to the Ten Cents, but the head
of Her Majesty is replaced by a full face portrait of Charles Connell,
and the numerals in the spandrels are Arabic, instead of Roman in type.
The stamp was produced by the American Bank Note Company, of New York,
printed in Vandyke-brown upon white wove paper, and perforated 12.
Imperforate copies exist, but these can be looked upon only as proofs.
(_Illustration 57._)
“A PHILATELIC CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF NEW BRUNSWICK.
“THE CONNELL STAMP.
“This stamp has probably been discussed more than any other
stamp, or series of stamps, that have ever been issued, and
still a decision has never been arrived at as to whether they
are essays or whether any have ever done postal duty. The
general opinion seems to be that they were in use, but only for
a day. The way the stamp originated was this: Mr. Connell, then
Postmaster-General of New Brunswick, was authorised by a Minute
of Council in December, 1859, to procure a new set of postage
stamps, which the change in currency rendered necessary.
Believing that this Minute gave him full power and discretion
as to designs, etc., he ordered the plates for the values
wanted—One, Five, Ten, and Twelve and a Half Cents; and for the
Five Cents had his own portrait. The stamps came to hand in due
time, and Mr. Connell, not probably making any secret of the
design for the Five Cents, spoke to some of his friends about
them, and of his intention of going down to posterity thereon.
This came to the knowledge of the Council, who, knowing that
they had not been approved by them, decided to see the issue
before it was sent out to postmasters for public use. As a
matter of course they disapproved of Mr. Connell’s design for
the Five Cents, and he was instructed by the Council to destroy
them, and order a new lot with the effigy of the Queen. This
Mr. Connell would not do, and therefore resigned. The Five
Cents, brown, were destroyed, and only the other three values
issued.
“After Mr. Connell’s resignation, he wrote a letter to the
Hon. J. H. T. Manners-Sutton, the Lieutenant-Governor of the
Province, giving his reasons for resigning his office. He,
however, says that he did not resign on account of the stamp
affair, but because he could not agree with the Government
expenditure of public moneys, and because he said that his
colleagues did not have confidence enough in him to back
him up on a small matter; that is, the issuing of the Five
Cents, brown. Through the kindness of a friend I have been
enabled to see the complete official correspondence, etc.,
between Connell, the Governor, and Council in reference to
this business, and am giving them here. Several of the letters
contain a large amount of matter irrelevant to the subject in
question, and dealing only with the political reasons of Mr.
Connell’s resignation, and these parts not being interesting to
the philatelic reader are left out.
“The correspondence starts with the letter of the Council
to the Lieutenant-Governor after they had had the designs
submitted to them.
“(COPY NO. 1.)
“Memorandum of the Executive Council in Committee.
“‘_To His Excellency the Hon. J. H. T. Manners-Sutton,
Lieut.-Gov., etc., etc._
“‘We advise your Excellency to approve of, and order to be
distributed, the One Cent, Ten Cent, and Twelve and a Half
Cent postage stamps procured by the Postmaster-General,
and we further advise Your Excellency to order a Five Cent
postage stamp to be struck, bearing the likeness of the
Queen, instead of the Five Cent stamp already procured by the
Postmaster-General.
“‘(Signed) S. L. TILLEY.
P. MITCHELL.
A. T. SMITH.
CHARLES WATTERS.
W. H. STEEVES.
DAVID WARK.
“‘Approved May 12, 1860.
“‘(Sgd.) J. H. T. MANNERS-SUTTON.’
“‘(COPY NO. 2.)
“Letter from Mr. C. Connell to the Lieut.-Governor.
“‘SIR,—Various circumstances having occurred with reference to
the administration of the Government of this Province during
the short time that I have had the honor of being one of Your
Excellency’s advisers, induce me to address Your Excellency....
“‘Having felt this and other matters for some time past, and
at the same time feeling reluctant to take a step that I saw
pressing on me, I delayed action; but the recent act of my
colleagues in the Government has brought matters to a crisis,
the want of that support on their part on a subject in which I
believed I was authorized in the action I had taken, as will
appear by the following minutes of Council (December, 1858) and
correspondence:
“’”Postmaster-General to obtain new postage stamps in One,
Five, Ten, and Twelve and a Half Cents.“’
“‘No. 1. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH.
“‘_The Hon. Charles Connell, Woodstock_,—
“‘Just received notice from the Governor that new decimal stamp
cannot be issued until approved by Governor in Council. Have
seen Hale. Telegraph him. He can put all right.
(Signed), S. L. TILLEY.
“‘FREDERICTON, _27th April, 1860_.’
“‘No. 2. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH.
“‘_The Hon. S. L. Tilley_,—
“‘If that is required you can procure the order, as any delay
now will make trouble all over the country, as instructions
have gone out and all stamps called in.
“‘(Signed), CHARLES CONNELL.
“‘WOODSTOCK, _28th April, 1860_.’
“‘No. 3. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH.
“‘_Hon. Charles Connell, Woodstock_,—
“‘Cannot get order before Wednesday. Only Attorney-General
here. Hale can arrange so as not to cause confusion of
instructions.
“‘(Signed), S. L. TILLEY.’
“‘No. 4. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH.
“‘_James Hale, Esq., Fredericton_,—
“‘See Mr. Tilley. Let issue of stamps be stayed till Wednesday
next.
“‘(Signed), CHARLES CONNELL.
“‘WOODSTOCK, _28th April, 1860_.’
“‘No. 5. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH.
“‘_The Hon. S. L. Tilley, Fredericton_,—
“‘Have telegraphed Hale to see you. Defer to issue until
Wednesday. I may not be able to leave for St. John before this
day week. Telegraph me as soon as order is made. Thought order
was made at time I was authorized to procure new stamps.
(Signed), CHARLES CONNELL.
“‘WOODSTOCK, _28th April, 1860_.’
“‘No. 6. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH.
“‘_The Hon. Charles Connell_,—
“‘All right. Desirable that all should be at St. John by
Thursday next, if possible.
(Signed), S. L. TILLEY.
“‘FREDERICTON, _28th April, 1860_.’
“‘No. 7. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH.
“‘_The Hon. Charles Connell, Woodstock_,—
“‘Shall postage stamps be detained, and Deputies ordered to
retain old ones until further orders?
(Signed), JAMES HALE.
“‘FREDERICTON, _28th April, 1860_.’
“‘No. 8. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCH.
“‘_The Hon. Charles Connell, Woodstock_—
“‘Contractors here promised full Council to consider claims.
Your presence necessary Thursday evening at furthest.
(Signed), S. L. TILLEY.
“‘ST. JOHN, _May 2nd, 1860_.’
“The Council met as was agreed upon, and disapproved of Mr.
Connell’s Five Cents, brown; and the following is their
recommendation to the Lieut.-Governor:
“‘(COPY.)
“‘_To His Excellency the Hon. J. A. T. Manners-Sutton,
Lieut.-Governor_—
“‘We advise your Excellency to approve of and order to be
distributed the One Cent, Ten Cent, and Twelve and a Half
Cent postage stamps, procured by the Postmaster-General;
and we further advise your Excellency to order a Five Cent
postage stamp to be struck, bearing the likeness of the
Queen, instead of the Five Cent stamp already procured by the
Postmaster-General.
“‘(Signed), S. L. TILLEY.
A. J. SMITH.
W. H. STEEVES.
P. MITCHELL.
CHARLES WATTERS.
DAVID WARK.
“‘_May 8th, 1860._’
“‘(COPY.)
“‘Letter to Hon. Charles Connell from the Provincial Secretary.
“‘SIR,—I am directed by His Excellency the Lieut.-Governor
to request you to distribute the One, Ten, and Twelve and a
Half Cent postage stamps procured by you, and to direct you to
take the necessary steps to have struck off a Five Cent stamp,
bearing the likeness of the Queen, for future distribution.
“‘I have, &c., &c.,
“‘(Signed), S. L. TILLEY.
“‘_The Hon. C. Connell, &c._’
“‘(COPY).
“‘POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, _15th May, 1860_.
“‘SIR,—I am in receipt of your favour informing me that you
have been desired by his Excellency the Lieut.-Governor to
request that I would distribute the One, Ten, and Twelve and
a Half Cent postage stamps procured by me, and to take steps
to procure a Five Cent stamp for future distribution. You
will inform his Excellency that I was authorised, by Minutes
of Council in December last, to procure a One, Five, Ten,
and Twelve and a Half Cent postage stamp, and that all these
denominations are now in the office of this Department ready
for distribution.