The first “real reform” of Great Britain’s postal system came in December 1839, when the uniform four-penny post was implemented. The short-lived change, which was in effect for only 36 days – from Dec. 5 until Jan. 9, 1840 – saw the end of rates calculated by distance. Instead, postage was now charged based on weight – four pence for pre-paid letters up to half an ounce – and there was no penalty for multiple sheets. What’s more, for mail with rates already less than four pence, the existing lower rates applied. Before the uniform four-penny post was implemented, the Select Committee, of which Sir Rowland Hill was a member, did an “amazing investigation of the number of letters mailed,” said Tom Slemons, a U.S.-based director of the Great Britain Collectors Club. Continue reading →
Issues
Read This Issue
Subscribe today to read this issue and more from Canadian Coin News.
Download or view a digital copy of this issue instantly for just 4 credits.
Features
Canada Post holiday stamps issued nationwide
Page 1
Joining forces for philately
Page 4
Lotus souvenir sheet tops Young Collectors auction
Page 19
Regulars
![CSN Marketplace](https://canadianstampnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/07/regular-csn-marketplace-01.jpg)
Are you buying or selling?
Page 20
![Show & Bourse](https://canadianstampnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/07/regular-show-bourse-01.jpg)
Check out the shows in your area
Page 23
Columns
![By Ian Robertson Ian Robertson](https://canadianstampnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/09/IanRobertsonBW-210x210.jpg)
Looking Back
Four stamps feature Canadian ice-breaking vessels
Page 6
![By Everett Parker Everett Parker](https://canadianstampnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/07/EverettParkerBW-210x210.jpg)
Philatelic Journals
TCP highlights youth philately at Royal 2018
Page 8
![By Mike Smith Mike Smith](https://canadianstampnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/09/MikeSmithBW-210x210.jpg)
Deltiology
Merrickville show always worth the drive
Page 10
![By Ian Robertson Ian Robertson](https://canadianstampnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2014/09/IanRobertsonBW-210x210.jpg)
Stamping Grounds
13 Canadian cannabis stamps challenging for revenue collecto
Page 14
![By Randy Heimpel Randy Heimpel](https://canadianstampnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/09/RandyHeimpel-210x210.jpg)
StampNet
‘Stamp Smarter’ with this philatelic learning centre
Page 16
![By Chad Neighbor Chad Neighbor](https://canadianstampnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/09/ChadNeighborBW-210x210.jpg)
Commonwealth Communiqué
Cynical, deliberate errors plague small Commonwealth countri
Page 17
![By Robin Harris Robin Harris](https://canadianstampnews.com/wp-content/themes/trajan/img/default-avatar-01.png)
New Issues
From around the world
Page 18
![By Peter Mosiondz, Jr. Peter Mosiondz, Jr.](https://canadianstampnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/09/PeteMosiondzBW-210x210.jpg)
Collecting 101
Philately, my only extra-marital love affair
Page 22
Buy This Issue
Purchasing this issue costs 4 credits. You can buy credits and use them to purchase past issues and reveal the trend prices of coins and notes.
You must be logged in to buy issues.