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It was proposed to send supplies to the main Post Offices for sales direct to the public and for onward transmission to the smaller offices. On completion of the stipulated quantities the plates were to be destroyed. Unfortunately the Postmaster General had not taken into account the fact that demand for this issue would be higher than the normal stamps. In addition to the normal commercial use (for which the quantities produced were no doubt adequate, especially as the normal stamps were still available) there was also a strong demand from not only pulate1ists but also members of the public wanting a souvenir of the Jubilee celebrations. The relatively small numbers of ½ cent and 6 cents values also attracted the unwanted attention of speculators and some of the more unscrupulous dealers who felt that for a comparatively modest outlay they could corner the market. This possibility, however, was not immediately apparent as the London philatelist for June 1897 proclaimed:

The action of the Dominion Government in this matter is to be regretted. But it is some mercy that the extent of the issue is apparently large enough to stop any speculation, if such was to be expected.

However the immediate popularity of the stamps soon became clear and complaints started when it became obvious that supplies were insufficient to meet demand. The ½ cent for example was only available from the larger city Post Offices as its use was restricted to the prepayment of newspapers or periodicals under one ounce and unaddressed circulars delivered to city post office box holders.

Demand from within Canada was matched by that from overseas countries (notably USA) and nearly every colony within the Empire. Even before going on general sale therefore it was necessary for instructions to be issued that each Post Office was to only to be supplied with one months normal requirements and for preference to be given to customers purchasing full sets. In this way it was hoped to prevent speculators from buying up large quantities of the ½ cent and 6 cents values. The need for these measures can be evidenced from reports in 'The Metropolitan Philatelist'.

'I have written to one hundred postmasters of large towns and everyone has informed me that none were issued to their offices except in sets'.

'A prominent. Toronto dealer laid 100 dollars on the stamp counter and was tendered two specimens of the ½ cent and 6 cents stamps'.

'What has become of the ½ cent Jubilee stamp of Canada. So far the largest number known to have been sold to anyone person is ten'.

At the same time rumours abounded that a black market existed amongst post office staff with reports that a small office in Quebec was offering forty five 8 cent stamps to the highest bidder. A similar deal was available from an office in Prince Edward Island for ½cent, 6 cent and 8 cents values, and whole sheets were said to be in the possession of post office employees in the principal cities. The truth of these statements could not be verified but the fact that they were believed is indicative of feelings at this time.

The Colours

The range of colours also came in for criticism, being considered well chosen, but not sufficiently varied considering the vast field of colour shades to be drawn on. When the 8 cents value first became difficult to obtain, possibly due to a large quantity being withdrawn as 'unfit', it was rumoured that this was because the colour was too similar to the 4 dollar.

The Dollar Values

The rationale for including these in the issue was seriously challenged as being unnecessary and an excuse to 'draw money from the pockets of wealthy collectors'. This was denied by the authorities who pointed out that parcels often required postage of 1 dollar upwards (hence why the high values usually have 'roller' cancels). In addition large business ego newspapers, with high mailing requirements often prepaid postage and even at the preferential rates this could quite easily amount to over 5 dollars a day. It is of interest to note however that no dollar values had previously been issued and it was not until July 1923 that a one dollar stamp was to make its appearance again and in the case of higher values it was to be the 1980's.

The Aftermath

As the demand for full sets was satisfied post offices were authorised to release sets up to either 50 cents or one dollar, no doubt to satisfy the needs of more modest collectors who were unable to afford the full sets. Over the following months the Post Office Department issued all its stock apart from a reserve of complete sets. However the manner in which the Canadian Post Offices had handled the matter; the general dislike of 'commemorative' issues; the restriction on quantities issued, especially the ½ cent and 6 cent values; the similarity in colours of the different values and the inclusion of dollar values, led to a great deal of criticism being levied by the philatelic press. The Philatelic Journal had written in the August that 'The authorities have made a most disgraceful job of the affair and the only thing that can place them right in the eyes of all collectors and dealers… is to make the issue a permanent one or to print and sell to all comers any quantity of any value that is asked for'. The Post Office was determined not to do this and destroyed the plates a few weeks later when the print run was completed.

The Society for the Suppression of Speculative Stamps (yes, it did exist) had blacklisted the issue on the grounds that it was speculative, unnecessary and included high values for which there was no postal demand. During the following months the demand waned as supplies gradually became more available. Stocks of the dollar values at the Ottawa depot were not exhausted until 1902, the cents values having been issued by 1900. In time the arguments faded and the condemnation made when the issue was first released, has been lost in the mist of time, so that today the Jubilee issue of Canada has gained respectability on its own aesthetic merits.

References:

The Philatelic Chronicle and Advertiser (Birmingham)

The Philatelic Journal of Great Britain (London)

The London Philatelist (London)

The Metropolitan Philatelist (New York)

Philatelic Messenger (New Brunswick)

Maple Leaves (whole numbers 137,172 and 173) (Britain)

Produced by the Birmingham Philatelic Society 1997