THE "NUMERALS" ISSUE, 1898-1902
Hardly had the "maple leaf" issue gotten generally into use before
complaints began to be heard about the difficulty of distinguishing the
different values. The _Weekly Philatelic Era_ for June 4, 1898, quotes a
plaint of this character as follows:--
The Toronto _World_ says: "We take the liberty of suggesting to the
Postmaster-General that we have a large figure indicating the value
in cents of the various issues of Canadian stamps. It is hard to
make them out at present."
This is only one of the numerous complaints made daily against our
new issue. Some changes ought to be made.
But the _Metropolitan Philatelist_ in its issue for April 2, 1898, had
already given information of an impending change which in the main
proved correct. It says:--
Much dissatisfaction is expressed by the French speaking inhabitants
of the rural parts at the lack of figures of value on the stamps,
the denomination in all cases being printed in English which they
are unable to understand. It has, therefore, been decided to alter
the new stamps by removing the maple leaves from the lower corners
and inserting large numerals of value in their place. The space
occupied by the head will also be somewhat enlarged and the value
will be placed on a straight band below.
All of which transpired save the placing of the value on the "straight
band". In the issue of the _American Journal of Philately_ for June 1,
1898, a Canadian correspondent reported: "I saw yesterday the proof of
the new Canadian stamps. The frame is slightly changed and the value in
figures is at the bottom on each side of the stamp, in place of the
maple leaves." No date is given, but it was doubtless early in May.
Finally _Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News_ reported the actual issue of the 1
cent and 3 cent stamps, stating that a Montreal correspondent had
purchased them at the post office on June 21st, which was doubtless
their approximate date of issue.
No further news of the numeral set is recorded until the issue of the
_Weekly Philatelic Era_ for September 17th, wherein its Toronto
correspondent says that "Last week the 2c. purple with numerals in lower
corners made its debut, a few days later the 1/2c arrived similarly
altered, followed closely by the 6c." This evidently puts the issue of
these three values within the first ten days of September. The 8 cent
was recorded in the same paper for October 15th, so that it must have
been issued about the first of the month. The 10 cent did not make its
appearance until November, being noticed under the "Toronto Letter" in
the _Weekly Philatelic Era_ for November 19th, so that again it was
doubtless the early part of the month that saw its advent.
For six months nothing further was heard of new "numeral" stamps, when
finally the 5 cent, which was the one value lacking to complete the set
in its altered form, made its appearance on July 3, 1899, according to a
correspondent of _Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News_.[148]
[148] =Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News=, XIII: 265.
The new type of stamp, as already stated, was merely an alteration of
the preceding "maple leaf" design, due to two criticisms--that no
numerals were shown, making it often difficult without a close look to
tell the denomination, and bothersome to the large population of French
origin who did not speak English; and that the portrait was too large
for its oval frame, giving a somewhat cramped effect. In the new design,
illustrated as number 40 on Plate II, the first objection was met by
placing the proper numerals in small squares in the lower corners, which
necessitated the removal of the maple leaves from the lower spandrels;
and the second objection was met by enlarging the oval frame containing
the portrait, thus giving a much better effect. To do this the oval was
extended to the outside of the stamp, cutting the rectangular border
lines instead of lying wholly within them, as in the design it
superseded.
The stamps were of course line engraved on steel and printed in the
usual sheets of 100, ten rows of ten. The imprint was the same as on the
last issue, and the plates again began with No. 1 for each denomination.
As far as we have been able to ascertain, the plate numbers are as
follows:--
1/2 cent No. 1.
1 " " 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
2 " " 1, 2, 3, 4.
3 " " 1, 2, 3, 4.
5 " " 1, 2, 3.
6 " " 1.
8 " " 1.
10 " " 1.
There were of course many more plates of the 1 cent stamp, at least,
which remained in use for five years, and probably several more of the
2, 3, and 10 cent, but there seems to have been very little interest in
Canada in keeping track of these.
But during the life of this series there were important changes taking
place which were reflected in the stamp issues, and we must keep track
of them.
In the first place, the Hon. William Mulock, the Canadian
Postmaster-General, was a firm believer in and an active agitator for
Imperial Penny Postage. At the Imperial Conference on Postal Rates in
London, in July, 1898, the project was carried through, and a rate of
one penny (2 cents) per half ounce established by certain colonies in
connection with the Mother Country, to take effect on Christmas Day of
1898. Concerning this we shall have more to say in the next chapter; but
meanwhile Canada's domestic rate stood at 3 cents per ounce or fraction,
in spite of attempts to reduce it, particularly since the United States
had lowered its internal rate in 1883. The anomaly would be presented
under such conditions of a letter mailed from one town to another in
Canada costing three cents, even if weighing a half ounce or less, while
the same letter could cross to Great Britain and travel to Cape Colony,
for instance, on payment of but two cents postage.
The agitation and the London conference evidently had their effect, for
on the 13th June, 1898, a bill[149] in amendment of the Post Office Act
was assented to in Parliament which substituted 2 cents for 3 cents as
the domestic postage rate per ounce weight. It also provided that the
new rate should not take effect until a date to be named by the Governor
General. After the date for the inauguration of Imperial Penny Postage
was fixed, the Governor General named New Year's day following as the
date for the change in Canada's domestic rate. The following notice was
published in the _Canada Gazette_:[150]--
Order in Council,
Post Office Department.
By Proclamation dated the 29th day of December, 1898, in virtue of
the Act further to amend the Post Office Act (61 Victoria, chapter
20) and of an Order in Council in accordance therewith, it was
declared that the postage rate payable on all letters originating in
and transmitted by post for any distance in Canada for delivery in
Canada, should be one uniform rate of two cents per ounce weight,
from the 1st January, 1899.
[149] 61 Vict. Chap. 20.
[150] =Canada Gazette=, XXXII: 1223.
This of course had the immediate effect of vastly increasing the
consumption of 2 cent stamps and also of rendering the 3 cent stamps
practically useless. Another point would be that whereas the Postal
Union requirements named red as the color for the stamp used for
domestic postage, and the 3 cent had been in its proper hue, the stamp
for the new internal rate was printed in purple and would therefore have
to be changed. This change was not forced, however, the Post Office
Department as usual preferring to use up the stock on hand of the
current 2 cent stamp before issuing the new one. It took considerable
time to do this, so that the 2 cent carmine did not make its appearance
until the 20th August, according to a correspondent of _Mekeel's Weekly
Stamp News_.[151] It was of course the same stamp as before but printed
in the color of the 3 cent value, and we have to record plate numbers 3,
4, 5, 6 and 7, though there were doubtless many more.
[151] =Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News=, XIII: 324.
But the 3 cent stamp still remained on hand in large quantities, and in
order to use them up more quickly and perhaps save confusion between
them and the new 2 cent stamps, the Post Office Department decided upon
surcharging the stock on hand down to 2 cents, thus making Canada's
first offence in this line. The notice concerning this change and some
others that were decided upon was as follows:--
_Department Circular_.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CANADA,
OTTAWA, 1st July, 1899.
Owing to the reduction in the Domestic letter rate of postage, the
issue of the 3 c. letter-card, the 3c. stamped envelope and the 3
cent postage stamp from the Department has ceased. Any unused 3c.
letter-cards, 3c. stamped envelopes or 3c. stamps, still extant,
will, however, continue available for postage purposes, or may be
exchanged at any Post Office, at their full face value, for postage
stamps of other denominations.
The color of the Domestic-rate postage stamp, as prescribed by the
Universal Postal Union, is red, and it is intended to discontinue
the issue of the ordinary two cents purple colored stamps as soon as
the present supply on hand is exhausted. This will be about the 20th
July, 1899. Thereafter the Department will issue two cents stamps in
red, first, however, surcharging down to two cents the unissued
remnant of the three cents stamps in red, now in the possession of
the Department, and as soon as the supply of such surcharged
_threes_ is exhausted, the issue of two cents stamps in red will
begin. The surcharged stamps will be issued to Postmasters as 2c.
postage stamps and be recognized as postage stamps of that
denomination.
Postmasters are requested to exchange, as above mentioned, all
unused 3c. letter-cards, 3c. stamped envelopes and 3c. stamps which
may be offered them to be exchanged for other postage stamps of an
equal value.
Postmasters, who as a result of such exchange, may find the 3c.
stamps, etc., unsaleable, are at liberty, in the case of an
_Accounting Post Office_, to send them direct to the Department for
credit; and in the case of a _Non-Accounting Post Office_, to send
them to the City Post Office from which it obtains its supplies,
asking in lieu of those returned other stamps to an equal value.
It is especially requested that, in the case of stamps sent direct
to the Department, under this authority, that is to say, _by
Accounting Post Offices_,--Postmasters will be so good as to carry
out the following instructions:--
(1) Each transmission should be registered, and accompanied with a
brief memorandum, plainly stamped with the date stamp of the Post
Office, and indicating the number and value of the 3c. stamps, etc.,
claimed to be enclosed. If other stamps are required to replace
those returned, a separate requisition therefor (not enclosed in the
package) should be sent direct to the Department in the usual way.
(2) Single stamps, and stamps that are not in complete sheets,
should be pasted on alternate pages of separate sheets of paper,
with _not more than one hundred stamps on each page_. Any stamps
that have stuck together whilst in the possession of the Postmaster,
must be taken apart (which can easily be done by immersing them for
a few minutes in water) and then pasted on sheets of paper as above
directed.
Postmasters of _Non-Accounting_ Offices are particularly asked to
bear in mind that any 3c. letter-cards, 3c. stamped envelopes or 3c.
postage stamps which conformably to this instruction, they may
receive from the public in exchange for other stamps and find
unsaleable, _must be returned, as above directed, to the City Post
Offices from which they respectively obtain their supplies_, and not
to the Department.
_As only the unused remnant of 3c. stamps now in the Department will
be surcharged_, Postmasters must not send in, with a view to their
surcharge, any 3c. stamps in their possession nor accept 3c. stamps
from the public for that purpose.
Postmasters must distinctly understand that the exchange of stamps
herein permitted applies _only_ to the 3c. letter-card, the 3c.
stamped envelope and 3c postage stamp.
R. M. COULTER,
_Deputy Postmaster General_.
As a matter of fact the 2 cent purple seems to have lasted about a week
longer than was anticipated in the above circular, so that the
surcharged 3 cent stamps were not issued until the 28th July.[152] A
correspondent of the _Weekly Philatelic Era_, in its issue for 22nd
July, said: "I learn that the 3c numeral and some 3c with the four maple
leaves will be surcharged," which proved correct; those first issued on
the date mentioned above were of the numeral type, while on the 8th
August[153] the "maple leaf" 3 cent made its appearance with the same
surcharge.
[152] =Monthly Journal=, X: 35.
[153] =Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News=, XIII: 308.
Illustrations of the two stamps will be found as numbers 41 and 42 on
Plate II. It is stated that the surcharge was made up in its peculiar
form so as to prevent counterfeiting by the use of ordinary type. At any
rate the graded height of the numeral and letters, giving the concave
effect to the top of the surcharge, shows it to have been specially
prepared. There is some variation in the thickness of the surcharge, due
perhaps to inking and to wearing of the plates. The overprinting was
done in full sheets of one hundred from a special plate, in black ink,
and should normally be horizontally across the bottom of the stamps.
Poor registering of the sheets in printing caused the position to vary
even up to about the middle of the stamp in some cases, and of course
there had to be some inverted surcharges in both varieties. The number
of these has not been published. Illustrations of the inverts will be
found as numbers 44 and 45 on Plate II.
The quantity of 3 cent stamps surcharged was reported by the Ottawa
correspondent of the _Weekly Philatelic Era_[154] as "variously stated
to be 9,000,000 to 11,000,000," while _Stanley Gibbons Monthly Journal_
is more definite[155] in saying that "there are some 9,000,000 of 3c.
stamps in stock, of which about 6,000,000 are of the four leaves type,
and the rest have the numerals in the lower corners." Just where these
figures were obtained does not appear, but the Postmaster General's
report for 30th June, 1900, makes the following statement:--"Included in
the stamp output of the year was $123,600 worth of 3 cent stamps, which
constituted the unissued remnant of 3 cent stamps in the possession of
the department; on the occasion of the reduction of the domestic letter
rate of postage they were surcharged and issued as 2 cent stamps." The
figures quoted account for only 4,120,000 of the 3 cent stamps, and
this quantity is confirmed in the Report for 1901, which says:--"In
1899-1900 3 cent stamps to the number of 4,120,000 were included in the
output solely with a view to surcharging them down to 2 cents and
transference to that column." The two varieties, however, are not
separated in the accounts, but inasmuch as the catalogue prices are now,
after ten years, at the same figure for each, it is reasonable to
suppose that one is as common as the other and that therefore they must
have been issued in approximately equal amounts.
[154] =Weekly Philatelic Era=, XIII: 393.
[155] =Monthly Journal=, X: 35.
Plate numbers for the surcharges seem to be again recorded in only a
half hearted way. But one reference has been found to those of the
numeral type, plates 5 and 6[156], and none for the "maple leaf" type.
[156] =Weekly Philatelic Era=, XIII: 400, 403.
The reduction in the domestic rate of postage was also the cause of
another provisional, but of quite a different character. _Stanley
Gibbons Monthly Journal_ for January 31, 1899, says:--
In some offices 1c. and 2c. stamps ran short, and their places were
supplied by one-third and two-thirds portions of 3c. stamps divided
vertically. In some places, our correspondent says, these divided
stamps were employed without further alteration, but in others we
regret to hear that they were surcharged with a figure "2", in
_purple_, upon the figure "3" of the larger portion, or the word
"one" in _green_, upon the smaller part; or, to further complicate
matters, when thirds of two adjoining stamps were used for 2c. each
part was impressed with a figure "2". Our informant's letter is
franked in part by 2/3 of a 3c. stamp surcharged "2" so we fear that
this horrible tale is founded on fact.
In the _Journal_ for March 31, 1899, is further light:--
The surcharged fractions appear to have been used only at the office
at Port Hood, N. S., where the Postmaster apparently did not
consider it safe to use divided stamps without some distinguishing
mark. We have seen other copies since, and find that a figure "1"
was struck upon the smaller portion; not the word "one" as
previously stated.
Again in the _Journal_ for April 29, 1899, we find:--
In reference to the cut and surcharged 3c. stamps, a correspondent
sends us the following extract from a letter from the postmaster of
Port Hood:--
"When the change in Canadian postage was made--of which we got
notice by wire--I had only very few two cent stamps in stock, so
that before I got my supply from Ottawa I ran completely out of
them, and, to keep my account straight, I was compelled to cut
threes. This was for one day only, and not over 300 stamps were cut.
I would say about 200 '2' and 100 '1' were used. Those stamps I put
on letters for delivery within the county as much as possible. About
100 '2' and probably nearly as many '1' were marked with the figures
3 and 1 as you describe, and were placed on letters for delivery in
towns throughout the Dominion. Those were the only provisional
stamps used by this office."
Mr. Horsley reports having a copy on the original cover with the
postmark of Port Hood dated 5 January, 1899, which is doubtless the "one
day" that they were employed.
A Canada correspondent, writing in _Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News_[157]
concerning these "splits", says that "the Dominion Government has
announced that they were not authorized and letters having them on for
postage should have been charged double rate when delivered." They may
be interesting as curiosities, but they are assuredly not worthy of any
great attention from collectors. Illustrations of the "2" cent and a
pair of the "1" cent will be found as Nos. 37 and 39 respectively on
Plate II.
[157] =Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News=, XIII: 187.
Nothing further in the line of novelties is to be reported until the
29th December, 1900, when a new 20 cent stamp suddenly made its
appearance as a companion in design to the rest of the "numeral" series.
The large 20 cent stamp of 1893 had finally been exhausted, and the new
comer in its neat olive green was a welcome addition to the current set.
It of course conformed to the others in engraving, sheet arrangement,
etc., and had the plate number 1. An examination of the stamp accounts
during its term of life make it appear probable that approximately
500,000 were issued.
Finally the long heralded 7 cent stamp, which was supposed to take the
place of the 8 cent stamp after the reduction of domestic postage, made
its appearance nearly four years late! It was announced in a despatch to
the _Toronto Mail and Empire_ as follows:--
Ottawa, Dec. 18th, [1902].--The Post Office Department announces
that on the 24th instant it will be in a position to supply a
seven-cent postage stamp to accounting post offices throughout
Canada. This stamp, which is of a yellow color, will be especially
convenient for postage and registration fee on single rate letters,
while it may also be used for other postage purposes to the extent
of its face value. Non-accounting offices can obtain their supply
through the city post offices. This new stamp will bear the Queen's
head, the department not having yet decided on the design for the
King's head issue.
The Postmaster General's Report for 1903, however, gives the issue of 7
cent stamps as occurring on the 23rd December, 1902. The stamp, as was
the case with the 20 cent, conformed in all respects to the others of
the numeral issue, but was printed in a hideous shade of olive yellow.
There was but one plate number, No. 1. It seems probable that about one
million copies constituted its total issue.
* * * * *
The above completes the issues of the numeral type stamps with the
Queen's head. Glancing over the Reports of the Postmaster General, as
usual, for the period during which they were in issue, we find the
following items of interest.
In the Report for 30th June, 1899, the introduction of "Domestic Penny
Postage" is thus recorded:--
On the 1st January, 1899, the letter rate within Canada was reduced
from 3 to 2 cents per ounce. This change has been accompanied by
such a marked and continuous increase in the number of domestic
letters being transmitted through the mails, as to warrant the
conclusion that the loss of revenue consequent on such reduction
will soon be overcome.
As a result of the reduction in the Domestic Letter rate of postage,
the issue of the 3c. letter card, 3c. stamped envelope and 3c.
postage stamp has been discontinued, unused quantities of these,
however, continuing available for postage purposes or exchangeable
at any post office for their equivalent in postage stamps of other
denominations.
On the 1st January, 1899, also, the provisions of the Act which
reimposed postage payment on newspapers and periodicals went into
effect. This was _An Act further to amend the Post Office Act_ (assented
to 13th June, 1898)[158] which we have already quoted as being the Act
authorizing the reduction in the domestic postage rate to 2 cents per
ounce. The third section of this Act repealed section 26 of the _Post
Office Act_ and substituted the following therefor:--
=26.= On and after the first day of January, one thousand eight
hundred and ninety-nine, newspapers and periodicals, printed and
published in Canada, mailed by the publisher in the post office at
the place where they are published and addressed to regular
subscribers or newsdealers in Canada, resident elsewhere than in
the place of publication, shall be transmitted by mail to their
respective addresses as follows:--
If they are required to be transmitted by mail a distance within
twenty miles from the place of publication or within a circular area
of a diameter not exceeding forty miles, and if their publication is
of no greater frequency than once a week, they shall be so
transmitted free of postage within one or other of such areas to be
selected by the publisher in accordance with regulations in that
behalf to be established by the Postmaster General; if they are
required to be transmitted a greater distance, or if their
publication is of greater frequency than once a week, then in either
of such cases postage thereon shall be paid on and after the said
first day of January, and until and inclusive of the thirtieth day
of June next following, at the rate of one-quarter of one cent, and
thereafter at the rate of one-half of one cent, for each pound
weight or any fraction of a pound weight, which shall be prepaid by
postage stamps or otherwise, as the Postmaster General from time to
time directs; provided that--
(_a_) such newspaper or periodical is known and recognized as a
newspaper or periodical in the generally received sense of the
word, and consists wholly or in great part of political or other
news or of articles relative thereto or to other current topics,
and is published regularly at intervals of not more than one
month;
(_b_) the full title, place and date of publication, and the
distinguishing number of the issue are printed at the top of the
first page, and every subsequent page, and also on any paper,
print, lithograph or engraving purporting to be a supplement to
it and sent with it;
(_c_) it is addressed to a _bona fide_ subscriber, or to a known
news-dealer in Canada; and--
(_d_) it is delivered into the post office under such
regulations as the Postmaster General, from time to time, makes
for that purpose.
2. For the purpose of determining the weights of such newspapers or
periodicals, each newspaper or periodical transmitted separately
through the mails shall be held to weight not less than one-half of
one ounce.
3. [_The Postmaster General to decide whether any publication comes
under this section, and whether the requirements have been complied
with in any case._]
4. [_Books for the blind transmitted free of Canadian postage._]
[158] 61 Vict. Chap. 20.
One other item, not strictly philatelic perhaps, but interesting to
record here, is the announcement of the issue of postal notes, the
system having been inaugurated throughout Canada on the 4th August,
1898. It was intended mainly to obviate the need of remitting small
sums by mail in postage stamps, with the consequent difficulty to the
recipient of disposing of any quantity. The notes were for certain fixed
values, odd amounts between values being made up by affixing postage
stamps.
Their denominations and dates of issue are recorded as follows:--
4th August issued notes of 25, 50 and 70 cents.
23rd " " " " $1, $2.50 and $5.
21st October " " " 40 cents, $1.50 and $2.
25th November " " " 20, 30, 60 and 80 cents.
23rd January, 1899 " " " 90 cents, $3. and $4.
In the Report for 1900 we find mention of the issue of stamp books.
In the month of June, 1900, the department commenced the issue to
Postmasters, of a small book of 2 cent postage stamps, containing 12
stamps, disposed on two sheets of 6 stamps each, and interleaved
with wax paper to prevent adhesion of the sheets. The size of the
book is such as to make it convenient to be carried in the pocket or
pocket-book. Printed on the cover is postal information calculated
to be of interest to the public. The price at which the book is
issued is 25 cents, one cent over the face value of the stamps being
charged to cover the cost of binding, etc.
The stamp accounts give the date of issue of the stamp books as 11th
June, 1900. That they have proved popular is evidenced by the increase
in the number issued to postmasters from some 320,000 in 1901 to about
1,400,000 in 1910.
The books are about two by three inches in size, with stiff cardboard
covers which are bound together by red cloth. The coat-of-arms of Canada
with the words CANADA POSTAGE beneath are engraved in red on the front
cover, while inside are four pages of postal information and the two
sheets of six stamps each--three horizontal pairs--backed by leaves of
paraffined tissue paper.
Notice is also given of the discontinuance of two denominations of
postage stamps, the old 15 cent of 1868 passing quietly away at the age
of 31 years, 1 month and 1 day--or on the 2nd November, 1899, to be
exact. The 6 cent stamp, for which there was but little call since the
reduction of the letter postage to 2 cents, was discontinued on the 10th
February, 1900.
From the Report of 1901 we learn that the last issue of the $1 Jubilee
stamps took place on 27th June 1900, but nothing is said of dates for
the cents values, all of which appear for the last time in the "issued
to postmasters" column in amounts of 700 or 800, and even 2000 in the
case of the 1/2 cent.
The Report of 1902 notes the last issue of the 3 cent stamp in March,
1901, and of the 8 cent stamp, which had been of but little use since
the reduction of postage, on the 16th December, 1901.
The Report of 1903 announces the issue of the new King Edward stamps,
and of the prepayment of printed matter in cash, instead of by stamps,
under the "permit" system. Both of these subjects will be considered in
their proper chapters.
Though the Report for 1904 takes us into the period of the King Edward
stamps, yet we find it noted therein that the last issue of 6 cent and 8
cent stamps (Queen's head) took place on the 4th September, 1902. Both
these values had already been disposed of apparently, but it seems that
100,000 of the 6 cent and 125,000 of the 8 cent were "received from
manufacturers" and "issued to postmasters", according to the stamp
accounts of 1902-3, and rumor has it that some large concern ordered
them for the mailing of catalogues. The date, 4th September, was
probably that of delivery to the purchasers.