The "Caricature" low value definitive set issued on October 17, 1973 featuring former Canadian Prime Ministers was the first time since 1868 that the reigning monarch was not represented on all low value denominations of definitive stamps. Queen Elizabeth's caricature was only reproduced on the 8 cent stamp, which at that time paid the first weight domestic letter rate.
This post shows covers franked with the 8 cent definitive.
1. Domestic Letter Rate
The 8 cent domestic letter rate had been introduced on January 1, 1972.
Toronto, local correspondence, May 6, 1976
Nelson to Barrie, January 27, 1975
Halifax to London, October 1, 1974
Slogan : JOSEPH HOWE OBSERVANCE 3 - 13 OCT.
2. Delayed Mail
a) Undeliverable Mail Office
Tillsonburg, November 16, 1973
RETURNED FOR BETTER DIRECTION handstamp
Undeliverable Mail Office, Toronto Ont. #21, November 21, 1973 handstamp
The docketing indicates that the letter was addressed to sender
b) Damaged
FOUND IN DAMAGED CONDITION AT TORONTO
DAMAGED IN MAILS AT WINNIPEG MAN.
Winnipeg to London, October 2, 1974
2nd weight letter rate 14 cents
Taxed 12 cents, double the deficiency
c) Missent
Maitland to Port Burwell, October 15, 1974
MISSENT TO BOSTOAN, MA 01200 hanstamp
Boston Foreign Sec. Barrel cancellation, October 18, 1974
3. Military Mail
a) Domestic
RCAF station Chatham was renamed Curtis Park in October 1966. In the early 1970s, the MPO system was re-introduced. MPO 140 was allocated to the Curtis Park post office in September, 1973.
M.P.O. 140 Curtis Park (CFB Chatham) N.B. to London, January 13, 1975
In the home ports of Vancouver and Halifax, Fleet Mail Offices (FMO) handled the mail. After military unification, the FMOs became known as Forces Mail Offices.
Forces Mail Office Halifax to Port Burwell, July 13, 1974
b) Overseas
CFPO 5001, Cyprus, to Port Elgin, January 21, 1975
8 cents air letter rate to Canada
4. Used to Pay Postage Due
St. Thomas to Aylmer West, August 8, 1975
Unpaid letter taxed 16 cents, double the deficiency
Dues paid with two 8 cent caricature stamps cancelled with Aylmer West POCON, August 29, 1975
5. Printed Matter Rate
On September 1, 1976, the first class letter rate was increased from 8 cents to 10 cents,and the third class rate (printed matter) was increased from 6 cents to 8 cents. T he 8 cent denomination was then used to pay the printed matter rate.
Bowmanville to Cobourg, January 27, 1977
8 cents printed matter rate paid with precancelled 8 cent caricature stamp
Undeliverable and Returned
Burlington to Greening, Ontario, December 15, 1976
Undeliverable because there was "No such address", and returned
Returned printed matter fee was 8 cents, the printed matter rate
6. Miscellaneous
Boycott Postal Code
Rouyn-Noranda to London, February 8, 1976
Vancouver local mail, August 25, 1975
