by Peter G. Aitken
This page presents high-quality images and information for all of my stamp banners.
This souvenir sheet was issued on December 12, 1946, along with the four individual stamps (Scott 375-378) that are pictured on it, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the government postal service in Japan. It measures 183 x 125 mm and is ungummed. There were two printings. In the first printing the four colors were printed simultaneously while in the second printing the stamp images were printed in one step and the sheet inscriptions in another. The two printings can be distinguished by the upper arched inscription which is in high relief in printing I and flat in printing II. There were 2,000 copies of printing I and 49,000 of printing II; the catalog values for unused sheets are $950 and $175 respectively.
A complete set of the 1897 Canada Diamond Jubilee set, as issued but distributed through the U.P.U. to member country Natal. The 20 cent through $5 values had been stamped "specimen" by the Canadian Post Office before dispatch to the U.P.U. The lower values through 15 cents plus the $1 value were stamped "specimen" upon receipt in Natal, resulting in the $1 value having a dual "specimen" stamp. It is worth noting that the 20 cent value has the "specimen" stamp in a sans serif typeface, while the other Canadian stamps are in a serif typeface. This is believed to be the only such set in private hands.
Canada issued the Diamond Jubilee series on June 19, 1897 to commemorate Victoria's 60th year as Queen of England. The series consists of 16 stamps (Scott 50-65) with the same design, in denominations from 1/2 cent to $5.00. On this cover, the 5 cent Jubilee pays the exact UPU rate to Puerto Rico. The stamp is tied to the envelope by a Sep 10/97 Gaspe Bay, Quebec CDS. The reverse shows a Sep 15 New York City transit postmark. The piece is not only a rare destination, but has added interest because the envelope is illustrated with a vignette and poem which, like the stamp, commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. The poem, by William Watson, reads:
Queen, that from Spring to Autumn of thy reign
Hast taught thy people how 'tis queenlier far
Than any golden pomp of peace or war
Simply to be a woman without stain.
Alexandrina Victoria was born in 1819, the only child of Edward, Duke of Kent (George III's fourth son) and Victoria Maria Louisa of Saxe-Coburg. She ascended the throne in 1837 upon the death of her uncle William IV. In 1840 she married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. When Albert died in 1861 Victoria went into a lengthly seclusion, from which she emerged only in 1876 with her recognition as Empress of India. She ruled until her death in 1901.
Starting in 1924, several private airline companies were authorized by the Canadian Post Office to charge a fee for carrying mail to and from remote mining towns in northern Canada, and to issue their own stamps. Regular Canadian postage was required in addition to the special airline stamp. These airline stamps are collectively known as Air Post Semi Official Issues* and they provide an interesting and colorful glimpse into Canadian history.
The Yukon Airways & Exploration Co. Ltd. was formed to operate in the Yukon territory. The company's main office was in White Horse and there were branches in Dawson and Mayo Landing. In April of 1928 new routes were opened to the towns of Carcross and Atlin. The flight from White Horse to Carcross went out on April 13th and returned on April 15th. This cover was apparently carried on the flight from White Horse to Carcross then officially "mailed" in Carcross, as indicated by the April 13 Carcross postmark. It was then delivered back to White Horse on the 15th, and given a receiving postmark on the following day (on the reverse of the cover). The cover is clearly philatelic in motivation as the envelope is empty but still sealed.
* Another category of stamps known as Air Post Semi Official Issues comprises the commemorative stickers issued by various Aero clubs in Canada to inaugurate or commemorate certain special flights.
In the late 19th century some of the world's greatest engravers worked for the American Bank Note Company. In 1897 they did some of their finest work on postage and revenue stamps for Canada honoring the 60th year of Queen Victoria's reign. In my mind their most beautiful creation, and perhaps the most beautiful engraved stamp ever, was this relatively obscure Tobacco Revenue stamp. The stamp measures almost 4 inches on a side and the detail is incredible. This die proof was one of three sold as part of the famous American Bank Note Company auction. These three are believed to be unique except perhaps for some copies taken by the Canadian government for their National Philatelic Museum.
To view a large, 300 dpi image of this stamp click here. Be warned, it is a huge image (over 700kb) but this is the only way to see the incredible detail in this stamp.
