Cover of the Month

A great cover presented by club member Bob Thorne. An intriguing cover that I am sure you will find quite fascinating. Another great piece of postal history with a Canadian twist. Thanks Bob!!!

A Cover from Canada to Trinidad and Return.

Bob explains this wonderful cover:

- From Royal bank Toronto, Canada to Royal Bank Port of Spain, Trinidad.

- No Canadian stamp or cancellation from Toronto when it entered the postal system.

- Probably attached to a newspaper since a part is stuck to the reverse of the cover.

- Received in Trinidad November 3, 1933 and CDS Proud D-54.

- T circle Proud UP-5 was applied.

- Cover was rated 1/60 (rate from Canada to Trinidad was 3 cents).

- Trinidad Postage Due stamp 2d Scott J-2 applied in expectation of being paid.

- Cover was taken out on delivery and the Royal Bank advised the addresse was not around.

- The cover sat in the Port of Spain post office unitl November 30 when it was marked unclaimed.

- The Due stamp was hit with a CDS Proud D-55, also backstamped with D-55.

- On Dec 1, a manuscript note was added the addressee was no longer in the Colony.

- The Royal Bank in Port of Spain then refused to pay the Postage Due.

- The post office was likely advised the addressee had returned to Canada.

- The cover was then re-directed to Canada (rather than be returned to sender).

- The Due stamp was then marked cancelled Proud I-41.

- The cover returned to Canada where it was rated 6 cents due.

- Rate was 3 cents so double would be 6 cents.

- The 6 cents due was paid by 3 Scott J-7.

- I cannot account for the Canadian 2 cents due marking under the Canadian stamps. Perhaps the first reaction of the receiving clerk was 2d due stamps = 2cents.

A wonderful interesting cover. Thanks Bob for your contribution.