1898. Think about that. That is 115 years ago and parts of two centuries ago. This little piece of art survived all those years in someone's collection, someone's box under the bed and now resides in my random collection. This particular stamp, and the picture does it no justice because I have not worked hard enough on the photography element of this project, is in great shape.... mint, as they say, original gum (sounds impressive, right?), clean perforations and clear, even margins. I actually own two of these stamps. The shading on the photo is from the photographer..the stamp pristine in its color and condition.
What surprises me is the writing below. "We hold a vaster empire than has ever been." Really? Has that been substantiated? Canada ruled the world in 1898? Can that be true? Personally, I think not. And I am right. As described further below, Canada was actually part of the British empire in 1998 and the map is that of the British rule around the world. Why is it forever that man, women and their homelands have this continued need to take over the world?
My memories of Canada relate to hockey. Who doesn't know that Bobby Orr was raised in Parry Sound? I twice have traveled to Montreal. The first time as young teenager, after my father died. I went with my cousin Bob and Uncle John and Uncle Wes. For the older guys, drinking in bars then to the Bruins game. Bob and I would walk the city, me with more stamina and interest than he. Even then I loved walking city streets in and out of places that I didn't belong. I remember buying a great winter hat, my favorite for years before leaving it on the top of my decrepit red Datsun before leaving for Maine....never seen again. White with a red maple leaf...just a classic hat gone forever.
Most recent trip was a few years ago....cousin Len joined later by Charlie. We pretended to be my old uncles.....finding ourselves walking the streets, bar hopping, restaurant discovering. No hockey games, but grand moments of friendship and love on a cold. snow flurrying April weekend of 2007.
The first Stamp issued by a colony of the British Empire without the cameo of the British family. In 1898, after substantial lobbying, and increasing pressure in the UK as well as in the colonies, Great Britain introduced a One Penny (two cent) postal rate both at home and abroad, for all letters transmitted through the British Empire. To commemorate this event, Canada's then Postmaster General, Sir William Mulock, introduced the first postage stamp to appear without the cameo of one of the Royal Family. The image chosen for the stamp was the Map of the World, depicting the countries comprising the British Empire in red. (compliments of mapstamp.org)
This particular stamp is all over ebay....and in mint condition like the above, it could fetch $25-50 at a good auction.
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