Canada 1934 Muskoka Santa Mystery

I came upon an interesting Christmas stamp recently in a large lot of assorted Christmas seals.



The first two stamps were the 1934 Xmas seals issued by the Canadian Lung Association, easily recognized by the perforations, in both English and French versions.

The third stamp, English version imperforate, was issued by the Muskoka Free Hospital for Consumptives. It is listed as such in Green's Catalog of Canadian Local and Provincial Tuberculosis Seals (2008 ed.)

But the fourth stamp, the French version imperforate, I have not seen listed before. It may be a imperforate version of the Lung Association seal, or maybe it was an unlisted French version used by the Muskoka Free Hospital? Can anyone please provide some insight?

Cindycan2, I think I might have the answer for you?

Up to 1934, the Muskoka Hospital For Consumptives had their own special stamps issued. From 1934 on, they changed and used the national designs instead. The Muskoka part lied in the fact that these national designs were still sold in 'glassines' promoting both the Muskoka and Toronto hospitals.

I have scanned some images from my journals (The Muskoka Postmark) no longer in existence. I have also added some later versions to show the different glassines used.

I hope that these images will help?

Chimo

Bujutsu

Thanks Bujutsu. I don't see any evidence, either before 1934, or afterwards, that the Muskoka Free Hospital used a bilingual seal, or both English and French versions of the national seals. Maybe they had them made in English and French versions when they first switched to the national seals in 1934, and soon realized that there wasn't much demand for the French ones in Ontario. Otherwise, I'd have to conclude that the imperf French version is some type of proof of the national seal.

To the best of my knowledge, we did not use a bilingual label. The imperforate type was a national design.

Chimo

Bujutsu