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
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)
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)
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 handstamp6d. 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 inkB. 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
