A cover census and analysis of Canadian squared circle postmarks on the 1898 two-cent “Imperial Penny Postage” stamp (also known as the “Map” stamp) is now available online for free.
The 438-page digital document was compiled by Rick Friesen, a member of the Squared Circle Study Group, one of several study groups affiliated with the British North America Philatelic Society (BNAPS). It lists nearly 1,160 covers franked with the iconic Map stamp and postmarked with squared circle hammer strikes.
“The data for this census comes from auction catalogues dating back to 1960, Internet auctions such as eBay, philatelic literature, exhibits, dealer stocks, personal communications from fellow collectors, and the author’s collection,” reads a notice published to the BNAPS website, where the document is stored.
The previous census was compiled in 2001 and listed 620 covers. According to the updated census, the Map stamp was primarily used in the 14 months following its December 1898 issue date, and one study found nearly all – 98 per cent – of used Map stamps were from this period.
To view the full document, visit bit.ly/30AD7JQ.