Canadian Bisects

On January 1, 1899 the new 2 cent postal rate replaced the old 3 cent rate. The problem was that the Port Hood, Nova Scotia Postmaster had a low supply of 2 cent stamps.

To solve this the Postmaster cut three sheets of 100 1897-98 3 cent stamps creating vertical strips that severed each stamp into a third and two third pieces.

He them stamped a violet 2 over the 3 cent value on the larger bisects and a Blue 1 over the smaller bisects. He began to sell these on 1-5-1899. Things went well until the Halifax Post Office learned about the bisects. A postal inspector made a visit and confiscated the remaining bisects and they were destroyed.

The Canadian Postal Office declared the bisects illegal. However it was too late as several were already in use. Today they bring about a nice price of $7,750 as used on cover singles.

Interesting. Is there a photo available somewhere?

Here is a site I found that has some photo's from around a 2003 sale.

http://www.canadianstampauctions.co...umber_53.htm

My 2007 Unitrade Specialised Catalogue of Canadian Stamps list the following regarding the Port Hood, NS provisionals....

"Covers seen by the editors are all dated January 4th or January 5th, 1899. Covers need an expertising certificate."

Scott 88B (1¢ on one-third of 3¢ Carmine): $10 000 Cdn
Scott 88C (2¢ on two-thirds of 3¢ Carmine): $8000 Cdn

Scott 88B also shows one example know of the bisect tied on piece by a Port Hood, NS postmark. $4000 Cdn.

David

Interesting story. It's one of those "being in the right place at the right time" deals like the Jenny inverts. It'll never happen to me.

SSSSSHHHHHH...Dont tell Phil about this post..Mums the word

Wow, this is an interesting story! I never had heard of that before.
Thanks for posting! I agree, Laswabbie, nothing like that would fall into my lap unless I found it in an antique mall! ha
Gussyboy1

Bobgggg:

Nice cover from the Million Dollar Collection, eh?

That cover with the bisected 3d Beaver pays the 7 1/2d packet rate from Canada to Great Britain.

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed the story that went with the photos.

Thanks for the info and story Mk

Great cover Bob.

Dianne

Wonderful story mkfarm!

Bobgggg I love your beaver bisect cover!

laswabbie -= never give up hope that you find that error / variety that will bring you fabulous riches. I have a good relationship with one of my area post offices and they let me - now and then - glance through their stock book. Under supervision of course. See if you can make an arrangement like that.

David:

Did you ever find anything at the post office when they let you go through their stock?

David

David - A few successes. And one failure. I was able to confirm the non rarity of the lacewing variety very early on - and bought a few corner blocks anyway. I also found a full pack of 2084a (Chinese flag on 2005 lunar new year); and finally there was the time I bought a full sheet of Series of the Century inverts but didn't realize until I got home that I was looking at the sheet upside down.

Are you sure your last name isn't Swabbie?

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I think I remember an article about this in Scott Stamp Monthly -- a couple years ago.

KS