Letter Carrier's Xmas Greeting Card

Not sure if this is legit. It looks too new.
Appears to be a Christmas greeting card from the Toronto Post Office, from their letter carriers (in this case James Barnes, Letter Carrier No. 20) to 'Their Friends Everywhere'.
The card front is in the style of an 1880s Canadian Postal Card, but drawn rather crudely. The 'stamp' appears to be a stylized Queen Victoria and it reads 'A Merry Xmas - 87 - 88 - A Happy New Year'



The back, or 'inside' shows three vignettes of postal service, Past, Present and Future (though the future seems to indicate we will all communicate by phone, meaning there will be no need for a postal service). The second panel is signed in the corner Alexr. & Cable. Alexander & Cable were a lithography company which did a lot of work for the City of Toronto, maps etc.



I thought these were interesting, as a part of Toronto postal history. But what troubles me now that I look at them is that they appear sooooooo new and crisp. There is no mark or date that I can see that indicates that these are reprints.

Any thoughts?
There were 5 in the pack, all the same.(the dealer wouldn't break up the set), so if these prove to be legit, I'll have four to offer for sale at a later date, if anyone is interested.

Very nice! I really like the layout and the designs. Dan

Here's an excerpt from an article appearing in BNA Topics in 1987 on the very subject:

Well. Thanks very much wt1. That's both fascinating and disappointing at the same time. I was suspect, as I said, these weren't real, but one always hopes.
On the other hand it's interesting to have an exact history of these cards. Will still make an interesting page in my cinderella album.
Maybe the rest can be give-aways at a future stamp club meeting. With full disclosure, of course.

James, can you hold one for me if you plan on doing this? Just let me know what you want for it.

I plan on being at the May auction in Barrie.

Chimo

Bujutsu

Hey Bujutsu.
Sure, consider one set aside for you.
I'll email you regarding mucho $$$$$$$.
Looking forward to the May auction, see you there.

Thanks james.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Chimo

Bujutsu

Thought I'd revive this thread. I had several of these Christmas cards, as you'll recall. I think some of you put your hands up when offered (Bujutsu, dirty dan). I was at the Maresch auction in Toronto last night, and one of these postman's Christmas cards sold for $100!
So hang onto them gents. Something special after all!

ahhhh..Barrie is almost too far to drive for me...

Plan ahead wert. We have another auction coming up in May or June (I can't remember which)