Book Reviews

Catalogue of Canadian Duplex Cancellations

Catalogue of Canadian Duplex Cancellations, Third Revised Edition, by Stéphane Cloutier, spiral bound, 228 pages, 8½ x 11 inches. Published by Conestoga Press, Thornbury, Ontario.

Stéphane Cloutier has updated the duplex catalogue that was published by Bob Lee in 1993. For those not owning the previous editions, this catalogue lists every known duplex cancelling device used in Canada, from the 1860 Berri duplexes to those still in use. Each is given a three-letter–numeral code, with the letters based upon the province where it was used. Each hammer is described so that it can be identified, and the proof, early use, and late use dates are listed. The early and late dates have been amended for many of the hammers, especially for those used in the cities... read more

Machine Cancels of Berlin, Kitchener, Kitchener-Waterloo

A Study of the Machine Cancels of Berlin , Kitchener , Kitchener-Waterloo - N2C 2E0 & N2E 2C0, 1907-1992, by Robert D. Vogel. Conestoga Press, Thornbury, 2004; pp. xviii + 154, spiral bound

The book begins with an overview of machine-cancel terminology, and an introduction which shows illustrations of impressions made by all the types of machines used in Berlin/Kitchener, with details of their manufacturers, and when the particular machines(s) arrived in the area. These range from the earliest (International) right up to the modern international Peripheral Systems (IPS) machines; this reviewer was previously unaware that the latter company is in fact a recent incarnation of the former. The book then continues ... read more

BNA Fakes, Forgeries & Counterfeits

Reference Manual of BNA Fakes, Forgeries & Counterfeits, Series II - Release 3, "A Detailed Study of the Western Canada Postal History Proof Book Cancel Fakes"

When Joe Smith recently deleted an increasing number of spurious Western postmarks on stamps being sold on eBay, he got in touch with Ken Pugh, who has written extensively in the past on Canadian philatelic fakes and forgeries. The result is this timely book. At the outset, we can observe that it is most unfortunate that such a volume ever became necessary, but given the number of faked items that have come to light, we can certainly agree with Pugh that ... read more

Canada at War and Peace

December 31st, 2001 - "Canada at War and Peace, II: A Millennium of Military Heritage"

Recently I was on a campaign to draw attention to Canada's Hong Kong veterans, their part in the defense of Hong Kong, its 60th anniversary from December 8th to 25th, 2001, and the terrible 1377 days the survivors spent as Japanese prisoners of war. I was also promoting the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association and its objectives to ensure that people "Never Forget" what the 1973 men and 2 nurses of "C" Force endured. While doing so ... read more

Steamboat Mails of Eastern Canada

December 30th, 2002 - "The Steamboat Mails of Eastern Canada"

Bob Parsons' new book is in some ways a stunning work, which unfortunately suffers from several flaws. Before discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the book, let me give a brief outline of its contents. It is divided into nine chapters and ... read more

Ontario Post Offices

June 30th, 2002 - "Ontario Postal Update" - A work in progress

The work is being done county by county, and so far Gus has worked on Bruce (8 pages), Dufferin (4 pages), and Haliburton (3 pages) Counties, and Manitoulin (3 pages) and Nipissing (7 pages) Districts. This is of course a long-term and ongoing project with an ... read more

Klussendorf Cancellations

March 31st, 2002 - "The Canadian Klussendorf Cancellations", 2nd Edition

Greig Hutton has written a second edition of his Klussendorf cancellation monograph. The first (1988) edition had 184 pages, with only two fo three pages of text. The remainder of the book was devoted to individual listings, in detail, of the known Klussendorf machine cancels, a 41-page listing of ... read more

Squared Circle Cancellations

December 31st, 2001 - "The Squared Circle Cancellations of Canada", Fifth Edition

This book continues in the tradition of the previous handbooks, and essentially updates the fourth edition with new information obtained from the study group over the last twenty years. In addition the editor, Mr. John S. (Jack) Gordon (study group editor since 1996), has added value to the user by discussing the relative commonness of the time marks, listing those stamps on which the collector is likely to ... read more

Muskoka District Offices

September 30th, 2001 - "The Companion Guide to Muskoka District Offices: 1861-1999"

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 ... read more

Postal Stationery of Canada and Newfoundland

June 30th, 2001 - "Webb's Postal Stationery Catalogue of Canada and Newfoundland", 7th Edition

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 ... read more

Postal Stationery of Canada and Newfoundland

June 1994 - "Webb's postal stationery catalogue of Canada and Newfoundland", 6th Edition (1993)

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 ... read more

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