1903 -1911
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions and Emperor of India from January 22, 1901 to May 6, 1910. Canada issued its King Edward VII definitive stamps on July 1, 1903. The basic domestic rates of the Edwardian period are reviewed in this post.
1. Letter
a) Forward
The forward (out-of-town) rate was 2 cents for each ounce.
Welland to Hamilton, April 9, 1906
2 cents forward letter rate
Saint John to Moncton, August 6, 1905
2 cents forward letter rate
Barrie to Hamilton, March 28, 1905
Toronto & North Bay R.P.O. postmark
St. John to Moncton, July 17, 1905
4 cents paying the 2 ounce forward letter rate
Brougham to Toronto, March 17, 1908
4 cents two ounce letter rate
Shortpaid and taxed 2 cents, double the deficiency
b) Local (Drop) Letter
i) To August 7, 1908
There were two drop letter rates in effect. The rate was 1 cent for each ounce if there was no carrier delivery and 2 cents for each ounce where letter carrier delivery was provided.
Non-Carrier Rate
Moncton, local letter, January 20, 1906
1 cent paying the one ounce non-carrier drop rate
Carrier Rate
Hamilton drop letter, February 27, 1906
2 cents paying the one ounce carrier letter rate
ii) From August 8, 1908
A single drop letter rate of 1 cent for each ounce was introduced on August 8, 1908.
Montreal drop letter, December 29, 1908
1 cent uniform drop letter rate
2. Post Card
The post card rate was 1 cent.
Ottawa to Joliette, November 3, 1908 1 cent post card rate
Ottawa to New Edinburgh
Mailed without postage
RETURNED FOR POSTAGE handstamp
Stamp affixed and card postmarked Ottawa, January 2, 1908
Ottawa "Crown" Cancellation applied to the stamp
The Ottawa "Crown" cancellation had been in use since 1880.
Muskoka Free Hospitals for Consumptives Seals
Christmas-New Year 1908-1909
Atwood local mailing, December 22, 1908
Christmas-New Year 1909 - 1910
Paris local mailing, December 25, 1909
3. Printed Matter
The printed matter rate was 1 cent for each 2 ounces.
Halifax to Stewiacke (undated Halifax cancellation)
Lower Stewiacke receiver, January 26, 1911
Mourning cover to Cayuaga, St. Mary & London R.P.O. October 19, 1908
1 cent printed matter rate
Precancels
Toronto to Arthur
Arthur receiver November 6, 1903
The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto to Athens
"Toronto" precancel
Athens receiver December 15, 1904
The Johnson Richardson Co. Limited, Montreal to Crookston,
Advertising post card with printed date November 13, 1910
"Montreal" precancel
Selkirk Fence Co., Hamilton to Empey
"Hamilton" precancel
Empey receiver February 10, 1911
4. Special Services
a) Registration
The registration fee was 5 cents.
Petrolia to London, December 11, 1905
7 cents paying 2 cents forward letter rate + 5 cents registration fee
b) Insurance
The insurance of registered letters was introduced on March 28, 1904. The insurance fee as well as postage and the registration fee had to be fully prepaid. The charge for insurance was abolished on April 7, 1909.
Todfield, Alberta to Strathcona, December 8, 1906
Registered letter, insured for $25, the maximum compensation
Postage.................2 cents
Registration.........5 cents
Insurance............ 6 cents
Total.....................13 cents
c) Special Delivery
The special delivery fee was 10 cents.
Ottawa to Montreal, October 8, 1906
Field Post Office, Canada Militia, Niagara Camp, Ontario to Toronto, June 18, 1911
2 cents forward letter rate + 10 cents special delivery fee
Niagara Camp postmark
