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Post by jamesw on Mar 26, 2016 20:14:25 GMT
Picked up a pile of covers today, though only a couple really noteworthy. Here's an interesting one (I think). A registered cover (my first early one) postmarked in Waverley Ontario on March 18 1887 Blue back cancel from Barrie Ont. as well as an RPO that will take some time to figure out.  Anyone have any more? I'd love to see them. |
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Post by jamesw on Apr 11, 2016 2:52:11 GMT
So I've been looking at this registered letter. The RPO on the back was difficult to read, but a little photoshop magic brought it out.  Enhancement enabled me to read North Simcoe Branch Rwy. M. C.  This 1877 map (10 years previous to the letter) shows the railway running north (the solid brownish red line) from Barrie to Penetanguishene on Georgian Bay. Looking at a modern map I've been able to place the approximate locations of Waverley, where this letter originated, and Craighurst, where it was sent, approximately 20km to the south. That is Orr Lake in between the two towns. The map doesn't show the railway anywhere near these towns, but I think there may have been a branch line running from Waverley over to the main line, hence Branch on the cancel. What interests me is the blue Barrie back cancel. I'm thinking the letter went from Waverley, registered all the way to Barrie, then back up to Craighurst, a distance of another 21 or so kilometres.  That's the kinda service you got in 1887 for your 5ยข I'm still trying to discover if A. Craig was the postmaster of Craighurst. edit - the answer to the last question regarding A. Craig is no/maybe? According to Archives Canada, Thomas Craig was postmaster until November of 1886. He was replaced by Joseph H. Swan in on April 1, 1887. Who was in charge in between??? Perhaps A. Craig took over for Thomas, who may have been a relative. Thomas succeeded John Craig in 1872, so the idea of his kin handling the job in the meantime is not out of the question. This letter was posted during that interim period. www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/postal-heritage-philately/post-offices-postmasters/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=8573&As an aside, I saw another website that suggested that Craighurst became known by that name when John Craig took over the job. Craighurst was originally called MORRISON'S CORNERS |
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Post by jamesw on Apr 11, 2016 3:34:09 GMT
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Post by jamesw on Apr 12, 2016 1:52:18 GMT
The resulting album page.  |
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Ryan
Member 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,720 
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Apr 13, 2016 1:41:25 GMT
My Branch theory may be all wrong. My book on Canadian RPOs by T.P.G. Shaw says the North Simcoe Railway Co. was incorporated in 1874 to build from Barrie to Midland, and this line was then leased to the Northern Railway in 1878. The next year, the Northern Railway merged with the Hamilton & North Western and was named the Northern & North Western Railroad. In 1886 in became part of the Grand Trunk Railroad and in 1888 became part of the Canadian National System. Given the date on your cancellation, you have a cancellation from the North Simcoe branch of the GTR. Shaw gives a rarity factor of 120 for your cancellation. Ryan |
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Post by jamesw on Apr 14, 2016 2:56:05 GMT
Just picked up A History of Canadian RPOs 1853-1967 by L.F. Gillam. Hopefully that will help me too.
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