Monday, August 2, 2010

1953 Queen Elizabeth II Coronation




Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953. The Canadian Post Office issued a 4 cent Coronation to commemorate the event on June 1, 1953. I have posted a separate article dealing with the design of the stamp here.


First Day Covers



























Events

Coronation Day July 2, 1953


Coronation, Alberta, June 2, 1953


1953 Royal Tour Re-fueling at Gander

On November 23, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip left London for a tour of the Commonwealth. The only Canadian stop was for re-fueling at Gander, Newfoundland.


Gander, November 24, 1953


Usages


Domestic Forward Letter



Hamilton to Norwich, July 28, 1953
4 cents forward letter rate



Merrickville to Toronto, October 21, 1953
4 cents forward letter rate



Timmins to Toronto, July 28, 1953
4 cents forward letter rate + 10 cents special delivery fee



Upper Stewiake to Truro, September 8, 1953
4 cents forward letter rate + 20 cents registration fee


U.S. Surface letter rate

The surface letter rate to the United States was 4 cents for the first ounce.


Montreal to Oil City, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1953
4 cents surface letter rate to the United States


International Surface Letter


Saskatoon to Kimberley, South Africa, Augsut 9, 1953
4 cents preferred surface letter rate to South Africa


International Air Mail


Montreal to Frankfurt, Germany, July 7, 1953
15 cents one-half ounce air mail letter rate to Europe



St. John's to London, January 6, 1954
30 cents paying the 1 ounce air mail rate to Great Britain
( 2 x 15 cents/1/2 ounce rate)


Pitney-Bowes Commemorative Coronation Meter