distribution of omitting to carry on the Registration in
cases where the ordinary Registration postmark is not as distinct
and calculated to arrest attention as it should be.

It has always been the policy of the Canadian Post Office to admit
letters to Registration at a low rate of charge for the additional
security thus given, so as to leave no adequate motive, on the
score of cost, for sending valuable letters through the mails
unregistered, and, doubtless, the very large proportion of such
letters offered for registration demonstrates a gratifying measure
of success in attaining the desired object.

In spite of this recommendation it was not until three years later that
special stamps for Registration purposes made their appearance. They
were finally placed on sale on November 15th, 1875, and were referred to
by the Postmaster-General in his Report for that year as follows:--

Registration stamps have been issued, to be used by the public in
prepaying the registration charges on letters passing within the
Dominion, or to the United Kingdom or United States, each
destination being distinguished by a different color in the stamp,
as well as by a variation in the amount of registration charge and
corresponding value of the stamp.

There is a red stamp of the value of two cents for the prepayment
of the registration charges on letters within the Dominion.

There is a green stamp of five cents value for registered letters
addressed to the United States.

There is a blue stamp of eight cents value for registered letters
addressed to the United Kingdom.

These stamps are to apply exclusively to the registration charges
and the postage rates on registered letters are to be prepaid by
the ordinary postage stamps.

It is believed that the use of these distinctive stamps for the
registration charges will tend to give registered letters
additional security against the risk which is sometimes felt of the
registration escaping observation, when such letters are dealt with
hurriedly or handled at night, whilst passing through the post.

[Illustration]

These registration stamps were not only of distinctive design but also
of distinctive shape so that they were readily recognised from ordinary
postage stamps. They are long, narrow labels and the design is the same
for each. On a