1829 SFL “BROCKVILLE” straightline bs in red to York, rated “2N9”, ms “Money Letter”, contents regarding two license applications for taverns in Brockville. File fold and small loss at top center of cover. The rate is triple rate (11d for 201-300 miles) or 2N9 Cy. (Image)

1833 SFL “York UP Can” (Nov 20) to Vittoria, Long Point, faint “FREE” hs in red and ms “M” for money letter and ms “Money”. The ms “M” is an early example of money letter. The letter encloses John Mann’s cheque for 10 pounds duty. (Image)

1843 SFL Toronto to Montreal, put aboard steamboat with straightline “STEAMBOAT” and matching red “Kingston MY 4 1843”, ms rated “2/4” due (double 1/2 rate from 301-400 miles. No Montreal receiver, but docketing rec’d and answered. The letter from W Wilson, cashier Bank of Montreal, Toronto describes various banking transactions and drafts.The steamboat marking was only applied on eastbound mail. (Image)

1844 SFL Niagara July 10 1844 dateline with "STEAM BOAT" arc handstamp, ms rated "4 1/2" and Toronto JY 12 1844 datestamp, carried via steamboat across the lake, rated 4 1/2d collect (under 60 miles). There is no dispatch cancel in Niagara as the cover was taken directly to the ship and posted aboard. The letter from William Kingsmill discusses levies placed on two properties occupied by Follett. (Image)

1856 SC “LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY CANADA” blue oval hs (#LA 1d, early Toronto use) on cover from Toronto, CW (SP 10 56) to Barrie, “PAID 3” hs in red, initialed at lower left “MW”, and ms “Wickstead” docketing at left. A superb strike of this official cancel. Railton’s Directory for the City of London, CW 1856-1857, page xix indicates Wickstead was the clerk for the Legislative Assembly. (Image)

1857 “LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY CANADA” (APL 28 1857) in blue on stampless cover to Quebec bs. Free franked at lower left “M. W. Baby, MPP”. A lovely strike of such a large hammer, which is often weak. Michel Guillaume (William) Baby was MPP for Rimouski from 1857 to 1861. (Image)

1858 SC red “Legislative Assembly Canada” crown and shield (#LA4) (MAR 1 1858) to Toronto, free franked at lower left “Wm McD D MP” being William McDonell Dawson, the MP for Trois Rivieres and served from 1858-1861. The cover is worn but addressed to A. McNabb, attorney & solicitor, King Street, Toronto. McNabb fought in the War of 1812 as a teenager, opposed Mackenzie and the Upper Canada rebellion, attacked his supply ship the SS Caroline at Navy Island, NY. He served as joint premier of Canada from 1854 to 1856. He built Dundurn Castle in Hamilton, one of the tour stops of the PHSC Symposium. (Image)

1858 SC “LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CANADA” with blue crown (#LC1) (MAY 26 1858) to Newboro, CW, matching blue crown Free hs and reverse with Brockville (MY 27) and Newboro (MY 28) bs. The cover is free franked “P Van Koughnet” (Philip Michael Matthew Scott VanKoughnet, president of the Legislative Council). Ex Greene. (Image)

1868 “REGISTERED AT THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ONTARIO” red hs (#HAO2) on cover from Norval (DE 14 68) to Toronto, registered, “PAID 3” and registry fee paid in cash, reverse with red weak House of Assembly crown cds (#HAO1). (Image)