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June 30, 2001 - "Webb's Postal Stationery Catalogue of Canada and Newfoundland" Seventh Edition
Earle L. Covert & William C. Walton
To say the least, this new edition of Webb's in an absolute must for anyone even
casually interested in postal stationery. In fact, I think it will make such
collectors become serious adherents to this fascinating facet of our hobby,
because of the more than 1100 large illustrations. Several dozen of these clearly
show the many different varieties, dies, types, linings, and envelope knives that
collectors, including myself, often find difficult and discouraging to distinguish.
The book also illustrates the beautiful designs on the postcards issued by railway
and steamship companies and other organizations; these can only encourage people
to want to start collecting them in earnest. One has only to compare this edition
visually with the previous one, published in 1993, to see the obvious improvements:
" Larger size, from 6" x 9" with 175 pages to 8.5" x 11" and 322 pages. "
Spiral binding - it will now lie flat for easier use, and no more loose pages
after a short time, as happened with the previous perfect-bound edition. In my opinion,
all catalogues should be spiral bound for these reasons; " The front cover illustrates,
in beautiful colour, nine gems and one modern example of different types of postal
stationery; the back, an array of "cut-outs", also in colour, reminding us of the
method old-time philatelists used to collect their postal stationery, and how
fortunate it is that the practice was eventually abandoned before there was no
complete examples left of the early stationery.Improvements to the contents of
the book include:" Larger typeface, important to those of us with ever-aging eyes;
" Improved and reorganized sections that make it much easier to use; "
22 new sections listed on page vii. I was particularly happy to see
"Hospital for Sick Children" cards, "Eaton's" cards, Christmas Seal card backs,
and the Hechler overprints. The numerous Canada Post products are also listed in
great detail, making it useful for collectors of these modern items.Of course,
all the new discoveries that have been made since the last edition of the catalogue
are included. Complete re-pricing with attention to the retail and auction markets
(including the results of the recent sales of outstanding collections formed by Horace Harrison)
makes it an indispensable tool for beginners, advanced collectors, and unfortunately dealers
(sorry about that - just a joke, Hank and fellow professionals!). I personally have only
one disappointment with the new Webb's, and it's very minor - that a listing of the
"Returned Dead Letter" envelopes was not included. I again asked Bill Walton to list
them in the next edition. As he told me the last time, "We can only cover so much,
but it is still planned for a future edition."Earle Covert and Bill Walton, their
wives Audrey and Jean, and their many loyal contributing helpers are to be highly
commended for another valuable addition to Canadian and Newfoundland philately.
I would remiss if I did not mention Jim Webb, who passed away October 6, 1995
(page iii of the Sixth Edition has a good biography of Jim), and to whom the new
catalogue is dedicated, again on page iii, with his photograph. I had the good fortune
to know Jim and Val, his wife, and fondly remember my visits to their home in the late
1970's. I consider Jim to be one of the "greats" of Canadian philately. With the
publication of his first Webb's in 1971 Jim began the trend that changed postal
stationery collecting from a sideline to the important field it is today. I know
that Kim would be more than pleased with the progress that his "pride and joy"
has made - both the catalogue and the collecting. If truth be told, I think that
the new Webb's is no longer just a catalogue, but a handbook.My sincere thanks
and congratulations to all responsible for the 30th anniversary edition of Webb's.
C.R. McGuire
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