THE JUBILEE ISSUE OF 1897
The so-called "Diamond Jubilee" of the accession of Queen Victoria, who
had then been on the throne of the United Kingdom for sixty years,
occurred on the 20th June, 1897, and several of the British Colonies, as
on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary, considered it fitting to
celebrate the event with a commemorative issue of postage stamps.
Probably no proprieties would be violated were it observed, sub rosa,
that the pecuniary gains connected with such issues were probably more
of a factor in determining their birth than the superabundance of
jubilation over the auspicious occurrence. Such a suspicion is quite
readily aroused when considering all the facts in connection with the
special set of stamps that Canada felt it necessary to put forth at this
time.
But the story runs a little farther back and hinges on other changes.
What proved a prophetic utterance appeared under "Canadian Notes" in the
_Weekly Philatelic Era_ of August 1, 1896, as follows:--
For the first time in 18 years a Liberal, or Reform government has
full control of the Dominion.... Mr. William Mulock, J. C., of
Toronto, is the new Postmaster General and I am informed that
considerable pressure is being brought to bear upon him to have an
entirely new set of stamps issued to replace those which have been
in use in Canada for something over a quarter of a century.
Under the same "Notes" in the issue of the above paper for January 23,
1897, we find the result of the "pressure":--
The British American Bank Note Company, which for so many years have
had the contract for printing Canada's paper currency and postage
stamps, have been notified that their services will no longer be
required. The shareholders in that company were not of the right
political stripe for the new Government. The contract has now been
given to the American Bank Note Company of New York. This company
will have to establish a branch office at Ottawa and all the work
will have to be done in Canada.
_Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News_ gives further details in a clipping from
the _Montreal Herald_, dated "Ottawa, Jan. 11," [1897]:[121]--
The contract for the Government engraving, for which tenders were
called two months ago, has been awarded to the American Bank Note
Company, of New York, for a period of five and a quarter years. The
contract is worth $600,000, and may be renewed for a similar period.
The work consists of engraving Dominion bank notes, revenue and
postage stamps, postal cards, etc. At present the British American
Bank Note Company, better known as Burland and Company, formerly of
Montreal, have the contract. They tendered this time, but the New
York company was the lowest. The New York company is one of the
largest and best known in the world. The firm engraves notes for
some of the banks in Canada, including the Canadian Bank of
Commerce. Under the terms of the new contract, the Company will
require to establish a place in Ottawa to do the work, where the
Government can have supervision of it. As compared with the prices
paid under the Burland contract, the Government will effect a saving
of $120,000 by the new contract.
[121] =Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News=, IX: 25.
The next step appears in the _Weekly Philatelic Era_ of January 30,
1897, where we read under "Canadian Notes":--
Many suggestions are being made and many plans laid for the fitting
celebration of the sixtieth year of Her Majesty's reign. In Canada
this celebration is being coupled with that of the four hundredth
anniversary of Cabot's discovery of America. Tn this connection a
proposal has been made and an agitation started for the issue of a
commemorative set of postage stamps by the Dominion government....
It has been suggested that the new stamps be made a trifle larger
than the present ones, that a somewhat recent picture of Her Majesty
replace the present one, and that the figures and colors be made
more pronounced. If possible some reference to the combined
celebrations will likely be made. The agitation for a new issue is
quite pronounced and is by no means confined to philatelists. There
appears to be general desire on the part of the people to have a
change.
A step further is recorded in the _Era_ for March 27th, as follows:--
The _Toronto World_ in its edition of March 15th. contained the
following as one of its leaders: "Here is good news for postage
stamp collectors. The Postmaster-General proposes, as far as his
department is concerned, to commemorate Her Majesty's diamond
jubilee by the issue of a new 3-cent postage stamp appropriate to
the occasion. It will have a limited circulation only, probably for
a period of months covering the jubilee celebrations during the
coming summer. When the sale is stopped the present 3-cent stamp
will be put in circulation again.... So far the design of the new
stamp has not been made public although the Hon. Mr. Mulock, the
Postmaster-General, has sent a sketch of it to the British-American
[_sic_] Bank Note Company to be engraved. It it said to be oblong
and nearly as large as the Columbian issue".
If only this original intention had been adhered to!
More precise information finally appeared in the _Era_ for May 29th:--
During the last week the Canadian papers have been full of Canada's
Jubilee issue, which has now been definitely decided upon.
_The Toronto Evening Telegram_ of a few days ago has perhaps the
most to say concerning the stamps, and it is to that paper that your
correspondent is indebted for the following. The new Jubilee stamp
will be issued in another month. The design represents Her Majesty
at two important eras in her life, namely at her accession on the
20th of June, 1837, and within a few weeks of her Jubilee in 1897.
The first vignette, showing her on her coronation day, is from a
well known portrait of that period. It is a full faced portrait and
her Majesty wears the crown. Looking at the stamp this vignette is
at the left side. To the right is a picture of Her Majesty as she
appears today; the face is profile looking toward the vignette of
1837. The latter picture represents Her Majesty wearing the Empress
crown. Between and above the two vignettes is a beautifully executed
copy of the Imperial crown of England and under it the letter "V"
with the letters "R. I." in the fork of the "V". The three letters
meaning Victoria Regina (Queen), Imperatrix (Empress). In the
semi-circle or upper part of the vignette are the words "Canada
Postage" and underneath these are respectively the dates 1837-1897
and between the vignettes are ornamentation of maple leaves, while
in the lower corners of the stamps are also maple leaves, and
between these and at the base of the stamp is its denomination in
black letters on a white ground. There will be sixteen varieties of
the new stamp and a post card.
* * * * *
The first set of stamps printed will be sent to H. R. H. the Prince
of York [_sic_], who is an enthusiastic stamp collector. The second
set will be presented to Her Excellency Lady Aberdeen (wife of the
Canadian Governor General).
The same paper credits the suggestion of the general idea of the Jubilee
design to Mr. Pareira, an official of the Interior Department.
A few days later the matter of the proposed issue came up in Parliament,
and the Postmaster General was interpellated in the House of Commons.
His reply was published in the _Canadian Hansard_, the official record,
of 20th May, 1897, as follows:--
The Postmaster-General (Mr. Mulock): It is the intention of the
Government to issue a set of Jubilee postage stamps. Such stamps
will be put into public use by being delivered to postmasters
throughout Canada for sale to the public in the same manner as
ordinary postage stamps are sold. There will be a limit to the
quantity to be issued. The denominations of Jubilee stamps, and the
total number of such Jubilee stamps to be issued, are set forth in
the following schedule:--
Schedule showing the Denominations and Total Number of Jubilee
Stamps to be issued:
Number to be issued. Denomination.
150,000 1/2 c. stamps
8,000,000 1 c. "
2,500,000 2 c. "
20,000,000 3 c. "
750,000 5 c. "
75,000 6 c. "
200,000 8 c. "
150,000 10 c. "
100,000 15 c. "
100,000 20 c. "
100,000 50 c. "
25,000 $ 1 00 "
25,000 $ 2 00 "
25,000 $ 3 00 "
25,000 $ 4 00 "
25,000 $ 5 00 "
7,000,000 1 c. post cards.
Total value of one stamp of each kind, $ 16.21-1/2.
As soon as the total number of stamps mentioned in said schedule is
issued the plates from which they will have been engraved will be
destroyed in the presence of the head and two officers of the
department. On the 10th June the Post Office Department will proceed
to supply Jubilee postage stamps to the principal post offices in
Canada, and through them the minor post offices will obtain their
supply until the issue is exhausted. If this Jubilee issue were to
wholly displace the ordinary postage stamps it would supply the
ordinary wants of the country for between two and three months, but
as the use of the ordinary postage stamps will proceed concurrently
with that of the Jubilee stamps, it is expected that the Jubilee
stamp will last beyond the three months. Inasmuch as the department
is already receiving applications for the purchase of Jubilee
stamps, it may be stated that the department will adhere to the
established practice of supplying them only to postmasters, and
through them to the public, who may purchase them on and after the
19th June, 1897.
Promptly, "as advertised", the stamps were placed on sale throughout the
Dominion on the morning of Saturday, the 19th of June. The natural
result followed: an expectant populace, for various reasons but with one
main object, literally besieged the post offices for the coveted
treasures. The advance publication of the quantities of the various
denominations to be issued gave speculators the hint as to the most
desirable values to "corner", and as a result the 1/2 cent and 6 cent
stamps were a special mark in all quarters. This action seems to have
been more or less anticipated, for these values were doled out in very
small quantities, if at all, in spite of the large orders that were
everywhere given for them. This was doubtless largely due to the
following circular, sent out with the initial supply of the stamps to
all postmasters:[122]--
N. B.--Requisitions for _full sets_ of the Jubilee stamps will be
filled until the issue is exhausted.--E. P. S.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CANADA,
POSTAGE STAMP BRANCH,
OTTAWA, _June_,1897.
SIR,--I am directed by the Postmaster-General to send you herewith a
supply of the Jubilee stamps and 1 c. post card, equal to one
month's ordinary requirements of your office. Should this quantity
prove insufficient it will, on your requisition addressed to this
branch, be supplemented; but as the Jubilee issue is limited, it
would be necessary for you to apply early in order to secure further
supplies of the same.
I am also to instruct you not to sell any of the accompanying stamps
or post cards before the opening of your office at the regular
office hours on the 19th June instant--the eve of the anniversary
they are intended to commemorate.
These stamps and cards are, of course, like the ordinary issues, to
be sold at face value.
I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,
E. P. STANTON, _Superintendent_.
THE POSTMASTER.
P. S.--As there appears to be a somewhat general desire on the part
of many persons to purchase, for souvenir purposes, complete sets of
the Jubilee stamps, it is hoped that you will so manage the sale of
such stamps that persons applying to purchase full sets may be able
to get them.
E. P. S.
[122] =Monthly Journal=, VIII. 177.
The conditions that developed when the stamps were actually issued seem
to have surprised the Department, and caused additional measures to be
taken for an equable distribution. We quote Mr. F. W. Wurtele:[123]--
The experience of the first day's sale convinced our government that
halves and sixes would very soon be bought up by speculators unless
some action was taken to further restrict their sale; they therefore
came to the conclusion that those persons who were willing to
contribute to the revenues of the Canadian Government to the extent
of $16.22 for a complete set of jubilee stamps were entitled to
protection, and decided that they at least should not pay more than
face value for their 1/2 and 6. In consequence the following
circular was issued by the post-office department, and no more of
these values could be obtained from any licensed vendor.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CANADA,
POSTAGE STAMP BRANCH,
OTTAWA, 26th June, 1897.
SIR,--With reference to the numerous demands upon this office for
the 1/2 c. and 6c. Jubilee stamps, I am directed to explain that the
respective quantities of Jubilee stamps ordered bear, relatively,
the same proportions to the actual requirements of the Postal
Service, but the tendency to exhaust the HALVES and SIXES has
increased to such a degree, that it has become necessary to restrict
their sale to the purchasers of full sets. Hence I am to express the
Postmaster-General's regret that he is unable, having regard to the
limited character of the Jubilee issue, to comply with any requests
for the 1/2c or 6c denomination, apart from those for full sets.
These sets may be obtained as long as the series of Jubilee stamps
lasts, but as the demands upon it are unusually heavy, it would be
advisable to apply for full sets at the earliest possible moment.
When Postmasters obtain such sets to fill orders actual or
prospective at their respective offices, they must not, in any case,
break the sets.
I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,
E. P. STANTON, _Superintendent_.
P. S.--Under no circumstances will there be any issue of Jubilee
stamps, beyond the limits mentioned in the accompanying extract from
Hansard, containing the Postmaster-General's statement on the
subject.
* * * * *
It was necessary to print 3,000 copies of the foregoing circular in
order to reply to all the demands on the department at Ottawa for
1/2 c. and 6 c.
[123] =Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News=, X: 54.
Not only were the sales of the 1/2 and 6 cent stamps thus restricted,
but notices were posted in the offices that none of the 1/2c., 6c., 8c.,
$1.00, $2.00, $3.00, $4.00, or $5.00 stamps would be sold unless the
whole set were taken. This proceeding naturally resulted in considerably
more protest on the part of stamp collectors and the public (?). Rumor
had it just after the issue was placed on sale that the 8 cent stamp had
been withdrawn, which probably accounts for the "run" upon that value
and its inclusion in the above restrictions. In fact a correspondent of
_Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News_, writing from Winnipeg, Man., on 25th June,
stated that "a sensation was caused amongst those interested by the
government on Tuesday [22nd June] recalling, by wire, all the 8c. stamps
of the new issue on hand at this office." This was later explained by a
letter published in the _Weekly Philatelic Era_:[124]--
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CANADA,
POSTAGE STAMP BRANCH,
OTTAWA, 29th July, 1897.
SIR,--In reply to your letter of the 26th inst., I am directed to
say that the question of issuing partial sets of Jubilee stamps is
now under the consideration of the Department. In respect to the
recall of the 8 c. Jubilee stamps, I may say that it was but a
partial one, and intended to render possible a re-distribution of
that stamp on a basis more in accordance with the actual demand
therefor.
* * * * *
I am, Sir,
Your obdt. servant,
E. P. STANTON,
Superintendent.
[124] =Weekly Philatelic Era=, XI: 416.
Under date of 31st July it was announced from Ottawa that "the demand
for complete sets has been very large, about nine thousand sets having
already been issued".[125] The "partial sets" referred to in the above
letter were the next step in the unbending process, the decision to put
them on sale having been reached on 31st July, and their issue to the
public beginning on 4th August. Concerning this concession Mr. Donald A.
King says:[126]--
So soon as the demand for these [complete] sets was, to some extent
satisfied, the department yielding to another class of enquiries and
requests for sets up to and including the 50 cents and $1.00
respectively, made a distribution of such sets, the numbers being
apportioned upon a basis of the revenue of each money order office
throughout the Dominion. Between 30,000 and 40,000 sets were thus
distributed, and rapidly sold, as a very large number of requests
for further supplies came in from the different offices. The
following is the circular sent to postmasters regulating the sale of
these partial sets:
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. CANADA,
POSTAGE STAMP BRANCH,
OTTAWA, [August] 1897.
SIR.--I am directed to transmit to you the accompanying partial sets
of Jubilee stamps. These sets consist of two kinds: one from a 1/2c.
to $1.00 (value $2.20-1/2), the other from 1/2c. to 50c. (value
$1.20-1/2). You are instructed to sell these stamps as sets, and as
sets only, representations having been made to the department that
in various parts of the Dominion there is a desire to obtain such
sets for souvenir purposes. You must not, under any circumstances,
break a set; for, besides the disappointment that such a course
would cause, you would render yourself liable to loss, the
department having decided not to allow credit for any broken sets
returned to it by a postmaster who, notwithstanding the instructions
herein given, sells any denominations of the stamps making up a set
apart from the rest.
I am also to ask you to use your best judgment in the sale of these
sets, checking, as far as possible, any attempt on the part of
speculators to monopolize them, and thus securing as general a
distribution of such sets in your vicinity as the circumstances may
permit. To enable you to make change in connection with the sale of
the enclosed sets I include a sufficient quantity of ordinary 1/2 c.
postage stamps.
I may add that the accompanying supply has been based strictly upon
the annual revenue of your office, and, having regard to the total
number of sets available and the extent of their distribution,
represents that proportion to which you are entitled.
I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,
E. P. STANTON, _Superintendent_.
THE POSTMASTER.
[125] =Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News=, XI: 78.
[126] =Monthly Journal=, VIII: 178.
For disingenuousness, for pathetic regard for the public and the
postmaster, and yet withal a keen eye for the "interests" of the
department, this circular is a model which should be preserved for
posterity--and "businesslike" post office departments.
Mr. King continues:--
The demand for the small sets was so great that the supply was
exhausted almost all at once, and in reply to repeated requests for
more sets the department issued the following circular:--#/
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CANADA.
(_Office of the Superintendent of the Postage Stamp Branch_).
Ottawa,... 1897.
SIR,--The partial sets of Jubilee stamps already issued to your
office constituted its share of these sets, having regard to their
limited number and the area of their distribution, which comprised
all the money order offices in the Dominion.
Except a reserve for complete sets (from 1/2c. to $5.00 inclusive,
cost $16.20-1/2) there is not a Jubilee stamp left in the
department--all having been issued to postmasters. The plates, I may
add, were destroyed on the 10th September instant.
I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,
E. P. STANTON, _Superintendent_.
THE POSTMASTER.
Such is the history of the Diamond Jubilee set of Canadian stamps. We
make no comment on it--it seems as if none were necessary and that the
presentation is amply sufficient for each to judge for himself
concerning it. We will only add Major Evans sapient remark[127]: "All
the trouble was the natural result of pretending to treat a
commemorative and limited issue as if it had been an ordinary and
permanent one. Ordinary common sense should have suggested the issue of
large supplies of the lowest value, and a certain number of all values
to every office."
[127] =Monthly Journal=, VIII: 230.
To revert to the stamps themselves. We have already given a description
of the design in one of our previous quotations, but it needs to be
amended in one or two particulars. The portrait of Queen Victoria
labelled "1837" on the stamp will be recognized as identical with that
on the old 12 pence and later 7-1/2 pence values. In fact Mr. Wurtele
tells us[128] that a prominent Montreal collector, whose advice was
asked when the issue was under consideration, gave the government a
magnificent unused copy of the 7-1/2d. green, to be used in engraving
the picture. It does not, as stated, show Her Majesty on her coronation
day, but is from the painting representing her on the occasion of the
prorogation of Parliament, on 17th July, 1837, as already
described.[129] The portrait labelled "1897" is from a full length
painting executed by command in 1886 by Prof. Von Angelo of Vienna. It
represents Her Majesty as she appeared on the assumption of the title
"Empress of India", and the curious may find the entire figure copied on
the 3 pence post card of Great Britain issued in 1889, and also on the
1 penny card of 1892. This State portrait of the Queen is now in
Buckingham Palace. The crown at the top center of the stamp is not the
Imperial State Crown of Great Britain but the so-called Tudor Crown. The
Imperial Crown is well illustrated on the 3 pence and 5 cent "beaver"
stamps, and a comparison with the Jubilee issue will plainly show the
difference in the "style" of these two crowns.
[128] =Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News=, X: 63.
[129] See page 33.
Our illustration (No. 34 on Plate II) shows a sample of the whole set,
the only variation, outside of the color, being the denomination in the
label at the bottom. This is in each case expressed in words. The stamps
are beautifully engraved on steel as usual, and are printed on stout
wove paper and perforated 12. The values from 1/2 cent through 5 cents
were printed in sheets of 100, ten rows of ten. Above the 5 cent, that
is from 6 cents through 5 dollars, they were printed in sheets of 50,
ten horizontal rows of five stamps each. The marginal inscriptions are
very meagre, consisting merely of "OTTAWA--No--1" (or some other plate
number) in hair-line Roman capitals 2-1/2 mm. high, at the top of the
sheet only. The inscription is 40 mm. long, being centered over stamps 5
and 6 of the top row in the sheets of 100, and over stamp number 3 in
the sheets of 50. This is the first time that plate numbers appear on
the sheets of Canadian postage stamps, and it is well to record them.
Taking them serially we find the plates of the various values were made
as follows:--
Plate 1 3 cents
2 3 "
3 3 "
4 3 "
5 1 "
6 1 "
7 2 "
8 2 "
9 1/2 "
10 5 "
11 3 "
12 3 "
13 3 "
14 3 "
15 1 "
16 1 "
17 6 cents
18 15 "
19 10 "
20 8 "
21 20 "
22 4 dollars
23 50 cents
24 3 dollars
25 5 "
26 2 "
27 1 "
28 3 cents
29 3 "
30 3 "
31 3 "
The colors, which will be found in the Reference List, are quite
constant, as would be expected. The principal variation is only one of
tone in a few values.
A newspaper despatch from Ottawa tells us that "A return brought down
to-day shows that the cost of printing the jubilee stamp was 20 cents
per thousand."[130]
[130] =Post Office=, IX: 37.
Considerable criticism was naturally aroused by the inclusion of the
values from one to five dollars, and outside of the palpable attempt to
"make capital" from stamp collectors and others, it was claimed that the
four and five dollar values were useless, as the "highest amount that
can _possibly_ be required on a parcel sent by mail from Canada is $3.59
(including registration). This owing to limitations of weight, etc., and
the highest amount that can be required on a letter is $1.65".[131] An
"official" replied[132] that "very frequently parcels leave the Toronto
Post Office with $15 and $20 postage on them, and in some cases the
postage has reached the amount of $63. There is another way in which the
$4 and $5 stamps may be used, viz.:--in second class rate books. Canada
does not issue Newspaper or Periodical stamps so these two high values
can be used in this way."
[131] =Weekly Philatelic Era=, XI: 383.
[132] =ibid.=, XI: 406.
Someone wrote the Postmaster General, quoting the above letter and
asking further particulars. The reply stated[133] that "the regulations
do not fix any limit to the weight of letters.... According to the
regulations of this Department 'Second Class Matter' comprises
newspapers and periodicals addressed to regular subscribers, (including
sample copies) and that, postage being payable upon such matter at a
bulk rate of 1c. per lb., the stamps required for prepayment are not
affixed to the packages, but are placed in small books and cancelled.
The books for this purpose are supplied by the Department to all Post
Offices where they are required." This was analogous to the practice in
the United States, only regular postage stamps were employed instead of
special newspaper and periodical stamps. As a matter of fact the high
value Jubilee stamps, which later became a drug on the market, were
largely used for this purpose. Mr. King confirms the fact of large
postage payments:[134] "I have seen packages originating at and passing
through the post office here [Halifax] that had from $12.00 to $15.00
postage on them ... and the case can be recalled of a letter on which
$40 was prepaid."
[133] =ibid.=, XI: 426.
[134] =Monthly Journal=, VIII: 177.
The question of the unlimited validity of the Jubilee stamps for postage
was also brought up, doubtless because of the temporary nature of their
issue, and a special circular was issued touching this point, of which
the following is a copy:[135]--
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CANADA.
POSTAGE STAMP BRANCH.
OTTAWA, 24th June, 1897.
SIR--I am directed to send you for your information and guidance,
the following statement, which has just been given to the press:
"Enquiry having been made at the Post Office Department as to
whether the Canadian Jubilee Postage Stamps would continue good as
postage for a limited period only, it has been officially stated
that the Jubilee stamp will remain valid for postage purposes so
long as they may continue in circulation. _They will not, however,
be redeemed by the Department, a distinction being drawn in this
respect between them and the ordinary postage stamps._"
I am Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
E. P. STANTON,
Superintendent.
[135] =Weekly Philatelic Era= XII: 210.
A curious case of splits is recorded from the _Sussex, N. B.,
News_:[136]--
The _Railway News_ last week on account of not receiving permission
from the Post-Master General to allow papers to go through the mails
free, was compelled to pay postage. No half cent stamps being
available, the post office department allowed one cent stamps to be
cut in halves for postage. This is the first time on record we
believe where such was allowed and the stamps have been eagerly
sought after, one dollar being paid for a single stamp with the post
office stamp on it. The _News_ will pay twenty-five cents each for
the one cent Jubilee stamps cut in halves bearing the post office
stamp of November 5th, 6th, or 8th, which was allowed to pass
through the mails on that date owing to there being no regular half
cent stamps obtainable.
[136] =ibid.=, XII: 96.
The 1 cent ordinary also did duty at some offices for like reasons, but
the practice was not approved from headquarters, as postmasters were
officially instructed in such cases to use whole 1 cent stamps and get a
refund on the difference in value.
* * * * *
It may be recalled that one of our quotations stated that the first set
of Jubilee stamps printed would be presented to the "Prince of York"--a
slip for the "Duke of York," afterwards Prince of Wales, and now His
Most Gracious Majesty King George V. An account of this presentation
set may not be without interest here:[137]--
A very unique and handsome piece of work is the postal portfolio
which is to be presented to His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, by
the Dominion Government, and which is on exhibition in the window of
Kyrie Brothers, Jewelers, Toronto. The portfolio is in the form of
an album, the cover of which is of royal blue morocco leather,
handsomely decorated in gold. In the center of the front cover is a
raised shield in white on which are the words in gold letters,
"Dominion of Canada, Diamond Jubilee Postage Stamps, 22nd June,
1897." The corners of the portfolio are decorated with guards of
Canadian gold made from British Columbia and Ramey district ore. The
right hand upper corner decoration is a design of maple leaves, and
the lower corner of English oak leaves and acorns. The portfolio is
fastened with a clasp of Canadian gold in the form of oak leaves,
while the bracket on the front holding the clasps in position is
entwined with maple leaves with the monogram of H. R. H. the Duke of
York--G. F. E. A.--George Frederick Ernest Albert. On the third page
is the inscription, "This collection of postage stamps issued at
Ottawa by the Dominion of Canada in commemoration of the Diamond
Jubilee of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria is presented to
H. R. H. the Duke of York, K. G., by the Government of Canada,
1897." The last page of this unique stamp album will contain the
certificate of the destruction of the dies and plates in the
presence of Hon. Wm. Mulock, postmaster-general of Canada.... This
is probably the dearest stamp album in the world, and contains only
a single specimen of each denomination of the jubilee issue.
[137] =Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News=, X: 28
It will be noted that the Superintendent's last circular concerning the
exhaustion of the Jubilee stamps stated that the plates had been
destroyed. An eye witness sent _Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News_ (X: 166) an
account of the process which is interesting enough to reproduce.
On Friday afternoon, Sept. 10th, ... I presented myself at the
Post-Office Department and joined a party who were just leaving the
building to go over to the American Bank Note Co's. building, a
couple of blocks away.... Arriving, we were conducted to the top
floor by the manager. The plates, dies, etc., were brought out by
those in charge, and the seventeen original dies after inspection by
those present were placed one by one under a press and an
obliterating roller passed over them several times: proofs were then
pulled which faintly showed the outline of the ovals, etc., but the
words showing the value could not even be made out. Next the rolls
for transferring the impression from the dies to the plates came in
for their share of attention. There were nineteen of them, and a few
burns from an emery wheel quickly put each one "out of sight". The
plates, 31 in number, were subjected to the same treatment as the
dies and the total time occupied in the destruction of the various
parts occupied almost two hours.
The Postmaster General's Report for the 30th June, 1897, reprints the
extract from the _Canadian Hansard_ of 20th May, which we have already
given.[138] The stamp accounts show a few curious things. In the first
place the announcement of the issue gave the quantity of 8 cent stamps
as 200,000. The accounts for 1897 give the number received from the
manufacturers as 240,000, and we find in the column headed "Returned by
Postmasters as unfit for use," 40,000 copies, and in the column headed
"Stamps destroyed as unfit for use", a like amount! When the Post Office
Department estimates for the ensuing year were being discussed in
Parliament in May, 1898, the following interpellation occurred and was
replied to by the Postmaster General:[139]--
_Mr. Ingram._ I notice that 40,000 eight cent stamps were returned
by the postmasters as unfit for use, and that 40,000 were destroyed
as unfit for use.
_The Postmaster-General._ The explanation of that is this: The total
number issued was limited to the schedule mentioned in the answer
that I gave to Parliament. By a mistake a larger quantity was
delivered to the department, and before it was discovered the
department had distributed a larger quantity than was mentioned in
the schedule.[140] They discovered it when the mail had gone out,
and at once recalled the over-issue. Of course they were at once
destroyed, so as to keep the amount within the figure named by
Parliament.
_Mr. Ingram._ Then it was not through stamps being unfit?
_The Postmaster-General._ I do not know how it is worded there;
"Unfit for use" is not a proper description. There was not one stamp
in excess of the limit stated in Parliament that got into the hands
of the public. There was that little error I speak of, but it was
detected at once and corrected, and of course the extra amount was
at once destroyed--I suppose by the Auditor-General and by Mr.
Stanton of the stamp department.
[138] See page 148.
[139] =Monthly Journal=, VIII: 230.
[140] The stamp accounts show that 223,600 8 cent stamps had been
"issued to postmasters" previous to 30th June, 1897.
Well, perhaps the excess did not reach the public, but the stamp
accounts exhibit a peculiar coincidence in connection therewith. The
tables of receipt and issue of stamp supplies for 1897, as already
stated, contain the memos of the return of 40,000 8 cent stamps, by
postmasters, and their destruction. The tables for 1898 contain two
columns, one of stamps returned by postmasters, "unfit for use", and the
other "fit for use". The former were supposed to be destroyed, the
latter placed in stock again. Now note: the values from 1/2 cent to 50
cents inclusive, "fit for use", were returned in quantities varying from
200 to 250 copies, with two exceptions; the dollar values in quantities
from 400 to 675. The two exceptions were the 6 cent at 1,148 copies,
_and the 8 cent at 42,300 copies_!! This last figure looks so familiar
that we cannot help wondering whether a second call had been sent out
for the return of 40,000 _more_ of the 8 cent, subsequent to the closing
of the 1897 accounts, or if (which seems more probable) the first return
had not been slipped into stock instead of being actually destroyed, and
reappeared thus in the 1898 accounts! _Quien sabe?_
All the other values to and including the 2 dollars, were received in
their proper amounts and were all issued to postmasters, the last record
of the series from 1/2 cent to 1 dollar, inclusive, appearing in the
1900 Report. The figures for the dollar values prove rather interesting
so we give them here:--
1905 Ret'd and
1897. 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. Total. On hand. Destroyed.
$1.00 received 7,500 15,000 2,400 100 ... 25,000 ... 94
issued 5,830 16,771 3,599 500 ... 26,700
$2.00 received 7,500 5,000 ... 6,000 6,500 25,000 ... 66
issued 5,830 4,334 888 7,225 8,775 27,052
$3.00 received 7,500 5,000 ... 500 1,000 14,000 2,650 1,835
issued 5,830 4,044 591 1,700 1,250 13,415
$4.00 received 7,500 5,000 ... 500 2,000 15,000 3,050 2,013
issued 5,830 3,945 640 1,675 1,775 13,865
$5.00 received 7,500 5,000 ... 500 3,000 16,000 2,100 1,240
issued 5,830 3,844 689 2,075 3,325 15,763
Comment:--The three highest dollar values were apparently never
delivered to their full requisition--25,000 each. All but the 1 dollar
were issued in goodly numbers in 1901,--four years after their first
appearance! The 1 and 2 dollar stamps were both issued to an amount of
about 2,000 more than were received from the manufacturers, but this
excess is easily explained by the reissue of stamps returned by
postmasters and placed again in stock. The entire issue drops out of
sight with the 1901 Report, but the 1905 Report suddenly presents the
figures given for the three high values still on hand, and records 30 of
the 5 dollar stamps turned in for destruction. Once more, in the 1909
Report, we find 1,783 of the 3 dollar, 1,954 of the 4 dollar and 1,151
of the 5 dollar stamps returned for destruction, so that allowing for
the total number destroyed and the amount on hand (which may be) we have
for the actual issue of the three high values, instead of 25,000 each,
but 9,515 of the 3 dollar, 9,937 of the 4 dollar and 12,660 of the 5
dollar stamps.