TCP-M/J 04 - The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada

REGISTERED to the U.K.
1868 - 1875
By George B. Arfken, FRPSC
and Horace W. Harrison
Here we look at registered letters to the U.K.
franked with Large Queens and Small Queens but
mailed before the Registered Letter Stamps became
available. [1] Throughout this period, 1868 - 1875, the
registry fee was 8¢. However there were four
different packet rates as shown in the
accompanying table. The 15¢ Cunard rate was a
reduction of 2 from the 17¢ per half ounce in effect
since July 1, 1869. The 12 1 ⁄2¢ Allan rate had been in
effect since July 1, 1869.
Packet Rates to the United Kingdom
(per one half ounce)
Saturday, May 8. The cover was off-landed at
Moville, Ireland (north of Londonderry) and was
sent by rail to Dublin. There is a red REGISTERED
DUBLIN MY 18 69 backstamp. Delivery on the 18th
meant a total transit time of 14 days.
Date Cunard Allan Registration
Jan. 16, 1868 15¢ 12 1 ⁄2¢ 8¢
Jan. 1. 1870 8¢ 6¢
Oct. 1, 1875 5¢ preferred rate
Figure 1 shows a registered cover from Toronto,
Monday, March 15, 1869 addressed to London,
England. The cover was sent to New York for the
Wednesday sailing of the Cunard Russia. [2] For the
earliest delivery, the cover was landed at
Queenstown, Ireland and sent by rail to Kingston,
by packet across the Irish Sea to Holyhead, Wales
and by rail to London. Trains were faster than ships.
The London MY 27 69 postmarks give a 13-day
transit time counting both the 15th and the 27th.
Figure 2. Triple 12 1 ⁄2¢ Allan rate to Ireland, MY 5,
1869. Photo courtesy of Charles G. Firby Auctions,
from the Arfken Collection.
The registered cover of Figure 3 is addressed to
England but lacks the red receiving marks of figure
1. This is the evidence that the cover did not go by
Cunard packet. Posted in Montreal June 6, 1870
and paid eight cents for a packet out of New York
and 8¢ for registration, this cover was sent in closed
bag for the Hamburg – American steamer Silesia
that sailed from New York Tuesday evening, June
7. The Silesia did not stop at Queenstown or
Liverpool but entered the English Channel. The
cover was off-loaded at Plymouth, England on
Friday, June 17 [3] and dispatched inland to Exeter.
Figure 1. 15 Cunard rate to London, England,
March 15, 1869. Registration paid with 8¢ in Large
Queens.
The cover of Figure 2 was mailed in Dunville,
U.C. on Wednesday, May 5, 1869 and was sent to
Quebec for the Allan Nestorian that sailed on
Figure 3. Eight cent Cunard rate but carried by
Hamburg - American packet to Plymouth,
England. Posted in Montreal June 6, 1870.
156 May - June / Mai - Juin 2004