Sunday, October 16, 2011

Stampless Period Handstruck
Postage And Postage Due Marks




The handstruck stamps discussed in this article show the amount of charges on a letter. The handstruck stamps shown in this post were in use from 1851, the year adhesive postage stamps were introduced, until 1875, when postage stamp usage became compulsory.

A. Pence Period : 1851 - 1859

The paid and unpaid letter rate during this period was 3 d. for each ounce. The drop letter rate (local) was 1/2d.

The handstruck stamps are shown by denomination.

1/2 d.

Toronto


The drop (local) letter rate was 1/2d.


Local Toronto letter addressed to Joseph Workman M.D., Provincial Insane Asylum
Toronto, C.W. postmark (probably 1855 - 1859)
(Docket receipt )
1/2 pence local letter rate


3d. Stamps With Currency Expressed

Quebec




Steamboat Letter, Quebec to Montreal, October 5, 1852
Unpaid 3 pence letter rate
Circular 3d handstamp (black ink)


Niagara




Mourning Cover
Niagara to St. Catharines, April 1, 1854
Unpaid 3 pence letter rate
Circular 3d handstamp (black ink)


3 d. Stamps - No Currency Expressed

Winchester





Winchester to Toronto, June 12, 1858
Paid 3 pence letter rate
Separate "PAID" and "3" handstamps (both in red)


Bytown




Bytown to Quebec, September 13, 1855
Unpaid 3d. letter


Quebec




Quebec to Montreal, March 1, 1853
Unpaid 3d. letter


6d. Stamp With Currency Expressed

Belleville





Belleville to Kingston, October, October 25, 1853
Unpaid 6 pence double weight (one ounce) letter rate
Circular 6d handstamp


6d. Stamp - No Currency Expressed

St. Marys Blanchard

`


St. Marys Blanchard to Stratford, June 27, 1856
Unpaid 6 pence double weight (one ounce) letter rate
"6" handstamp in black ink


B. Decimal Currency Period : 1859 - 1875

1. Decimal Currency - Drop Letter

The drop letter rate during the decimal period was 1 cent.

Quebec




Quebec local letter, March 3, 1860
1 cent local letter rate


Toronto




Toronto local letter
1 cent local letter rate


2. Decimal Currency - Forward Letter

Although postage stamps were available, people were not fully prepared to accept their use since it was felt that postage should be paid when a letter was actually delivered. To discourage unpaid letters, a fine of additional postage was imposed on unpaid letters.


a) 1859 - 1868

The prepaid letter rate was 5 cents. A 2 cents penalty was imposed on unpaid letters. Jarrett provides this explanation for the seven cent charge:
Clause 4 of the Act to Amend the Post Office Laws ascented to May 6, 1859, sated in part : "To promote simplicity and economy in the business of the Post Office all letters posted in Canada for any place within the Province and not prepaid shall be charged seven instead of five cents per half ounce on delivery.

Toronto


Unpaid 7 : 5 cents + 2 cents penalty


Toronto to Quebec, June 12, 1861
7 cents unpaid letter rate


St. Catharines




St. Catharines to Stratford, December 7, 1864
7 cents unpaid letter rate


Brockville




Brockville to Toronto, January 13, 1866
7 cents unpaid letter rate


Quebec





Quebec to Montreal, April 20, 1866
7 cents unpaid letter rate


Quebec




Quebec to Rimouski, October 11, 1867
Unpaid double weight letter (one Ounce)
Rated 14 cents due


b) 1868 - 1875

On April 1, 1868, the prepaid letter rate was reduced to 3 cents for each one-half ounce. Letters could be sent unpaid but a 2 cents penalty was levied and the letters were charged 5 cents on delivery.

Woodstock, Ontario





Woodstock to Toronto, May 7, 1869
5 cents unpaid letter rate


Toronto





Toronto to Ottawa, April 11, 1874
5 cents unpaid letter rate


Quebec





Quebec to Montreal, May 7, 1875
5 cents unpaid letter rate