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Sept. 30, 2001 - "The Companion Guide to Muskoka District Offices: 1861-1999"
Pp. 272 by Susan M. Sheffield
6" x 9" coil bound
Keyboard House Publishing
Meadowlark RPO
Box 67039
Edmonton, AB, Canada
T5R 5Y3
Here is a book that all Ontario postal history collectors will require, and other
Canadian collectors will find valuable. Sue Sheffield has assembled a handbook
that describes virtually every facet of the postal history of the District of
Muskoka, an area comprising 23 townships, about 120 miles north of Toronto.
Just over a third of the book is devoted to carefully prepared lists. The post
offices are listed alphabetically, chronologically, and by township. Summer
post offices (which had major influence in this region) are also listed several
ways. There is an alphabetic list of postmasters (including lead-hands, if known).
The longest list (52 pages) presents an historical profile of each office. It
includes township, the opening and closing dates, post office numbers, the names
of post masters and periods of their service, and various comments on the offices.
It is the introductory material that many articles, though, that elevate this
handbook to its high level. Topics range from historical material to descriptions
of postmark types. There is considerable description of how early Muskoka mails
were carries, anecdotal material about selected post offices, and mention of
military related mail to Muskoka (e.g., Little Norway and POW Camp 20). The
revenues for 1861-75 are listed, allowing an estimate of the commerce each
town and the difficulty of finding individual postmarks for that period.
While there is still much research to be done on the postal history of the
District of Muskoka, Sue's book is a well balanced foundation for future
work and a delightful presentation for those of us who do not specialize
in this area. The information on postmark types and Post Office Department
procedures can apply to the whole country.The book is extremely well produced.
The print is small but clear and easy to read; margins also are small but well
clear of the binding. The black-and-white photographs are of correct contrast
and print density, and the reproductions of postmarks are excellent. A series
of township maps, provided by Eric Manchee, is a good addition. As well as a
table contents, there is a list of illustrations and a six-page index. The
coil binding makes it easy to use. This is a job well done by all involved.
K.G Scrimgeour
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