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June 30, 1994 - "Webb's postal stationery catalogue of Canada and Newfoundland" 6th Edition (1993)
Published by the British North by William C. Walton
America Philatelic Society and
Earle L. Covert
176 Pages-softbound
6"x 9" format
Considerable progress has been achieved in the esteemed Webb's postal stationery
catalogue in the hands of its new editors, William Walton and Earle Covert.
Compared to the fifth edition (1988), this new edition, at 173 pages, is 37 pages
larger. Through the use of thinner paper, the catalogue is just a shade bigger in
size. Much new material, and some older items, have been added, and prices have
been revised throughout. (Presumably they continue to be listed in Canadian dollars.)
The section on essays and proofs has been reorganized and expanded, based in part
on the archives sale in 1990 of American Bank Note Company. In this respect is seems
that the editors are seriously attempting to build up a solid foundation of research
for their work; the fifth edition reputedly benefited from their work in the holdings
of the National Postal Museum.
In choosing to enlarge the catalogue, the editors faced a major challenge.
"If we could satisfy the collective wish of all parties," they state (p. vii),
"this book would be more than twice its present size. We plan further new sections
for future editions, and have settled for eleven this time." Such work-in-progress,
and Webb's established reputation, make any critical remarks seem gratuitous.
Undoubtedly some collectors will wish that the editors had chosen to expand in
the direction of their specialty, but here we must trust editorial discretion.
A page-by-page examination of the catalogue reveals the exciting scope of Canadian
postal stationery, but it also reveals certain aspects that might merit editorial
attention.Serious collectors will overlook the editors' ambivalent remarks about
postal history (p. vi, compared to 5th edition, p.viii) and their seeming disinterest
in spelling (p.x), and go straight to the actual listings. After all, this is a
handbook that is meant to be used. The editors know that, and have, thankfully,
arranged sections and sized illustrations to make finding and reading as easy as
possible.Some sections are stronger than others. For embossed Edward VII envelopes,
for instance, the editors merely note that "Die varieties of the Edward issue exist
for the specialist." But the more generalized Unitrade specialized catalogue of
Canadian stamps (1994) lists the dies (p.353), and the old Holme's catalogue
(10th edition, p. 287) illustrates them. Holme's also provides fuller illustrations
for envelope essays and proofs. Yet, at the same time, Webb's gives detailed
illustrations and descriptions for the die varieties on the Admiral period
postcards (pp. 81-2). Unitrade (p. 354) also appears to provide more detail
for Admiral stationery. Best to have both books on your shelf. Among the areas
not covered in Webb's, but which may well be in the works for future editions,
are the armed forces air-letter sheets of World War II and, given Earle
Covert's known expertise, the rapidly developing field of modern stationery
items issue by Canada Post Corporation / Societe canadienne des postes.
It is bewildering, that collector's will fully appreciate the informed
guidance available in Webb's.
In all, Webb's remains a must for any postal historian with an interest in postal
stationery, new and old, and we look forward to the results of the ongoing service
of Walton and Covert to collectors. (DR)
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