Barred Circle Postmarks of Canada on the 1898 Canadian 2¢ Imperial Penny Postage Issue (The ‘Map Stamp’):
A Cover Census (1.8 MB)
Rick Friesen

This is a census of Map Stamp covers with Barred Circle postmarks, often referred to as precursors of Squared Circle postmarks. The hammers, introduced in 1892, were issued to nine towns in Canada (Halifax, Hamilton, London, Montreal, Ottawa, St. John, Seaforth, Toronto, and Winnipeg) and St. John’s, Newfoundland. The census currently documents 72 covers with Montreal strikes and one with a St. John’s, Newfoundland, strike.

Squared Circle Postmarks of Canada on the 1898 Canadian 2¢ Imperial Penny Postage Issue (The ‘Map Stamp’):
A Census of Off-Cover Cancellations (6.8 MB)
Rick Friesen

This census of 3,461 postmarks on off-cover Map stamps is compiled from numerous sources. They include over 58 years of public auction listings, three Internet auction sources (such as eBay), philatelic literature (including books and journals), exhibits, dealer stocks, personal communications from Squared Circle collectors, and the author's collection.

Squared Circle Postmarks of Canada on the 1898 Canadian 2¢ Imperial Penny Postage Issue (The ‘Map Stamp’):
A Cover Census and Analysis (18.1 MB)
Rick Friesen

Lists over 1,100 covers franked with the 1898 2¢ Map Stamp and postmarked with Squared Circle hammer strikes. If an image is available, the cover is illustrated. The previous census, compiled in 2001, listed 620 covers. 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.