had something to do with its
selection. The die was made in England, although the American Bank
Note Co. are contractors for the government work.

These details all proved correct and shortly afterwards postmasters were
given definite information with regard to the forthcoming stamps by
means of an official circular, dated June 10th, and worded as follows:--

Postmasters are hereby informed that a new issue of postage stamps,
bearing the portrait of His Majesty, King Edward VII., and
comprising five denominations (1c, 2c, 5c, 7c and 10c), is about to
be supplied to Postmasters for sale in the usual way, but none of
these stamps are to be sold until the first of July, 1903. The
colors of the forthcoming series will be the same respectively as
those now used for the denominations specified, except that the
shade of the 7c will be slightly deeper.

Postmasters will please bear in mind that, notwithstanding the new
issue, they are not to return to the Department any of the old
stamps on hand, but will sell them in the ordinary way. At first,
the public may prefer getting new stamps, and if so, there is no
objection to this wish being acceded to, but it is also desirable
to work off in due course all remnants of old stamps. A change in
the design of the stamp of the present series of postcards,
post-bands and stamped envelopes, to correspond with that above
referred to, will be made as soon as the present stock of these
items shall have been exhausted.

[Illustration]

The new King Edward 1c, 2c, 5c, 7c and 10c stamps were accordingly
issued to the public on Dominion Day (July 1st), 1903.

It will be noted in one of the extracts quoted above that the die for
the new stamps was engraved in London, and shortly after the appearance
of the stamps the _London Philatelist_ published the following article
which is of such interest as to merit its reproduction in full:--

Although for a long time past we have been aware of the
circumstances attending the preparation of the new postage stamps
for Canada, and in a position to illustrate the approved design, we
have refrained from publishing the facts in compliance with the
desire of the authorities that no details should be made public
until the stamps have been completed and were ready to be put into
circulation. We believe that the delay whic