Arnie Janson’s presentation delves into the intriguing world of unusual postal markings and the fascinating stories they tell. From railway fire damage to the recovery of letters by divers, Janson takes us on a journey through time, examining the curious and sometimes mysterious world of mail and its path through disaster, miscommunication, and even prisons. His collection showcases the human side of philately—how stamps, envelopes, and letters can bear witness to historical events and personal struggles. Let’s explore some of the most captivating items from his presentation.
1. Stamp Falling Off in Edmonton and Hamilton
Mail mishaps are a common theme in Janson’s collection, and the first examples he shares involve stamps that fell off letters in transit. A letter from Edmonton, Alberta, arrived with part of the cancellation visible but no stamp, while a letter from Hamilton, Ontario, was marked postage due after a similar incident. This illustrates how fragile the postal system could be, with even a simple issue like a missing stamp leading to confusion and additional charges.
2. Railroad Fire Salvage
Among the more dramatic pieces in Janson’s collection is a letter that survived a railway fire. Based on research, the item is believed to have been on a Toronto-London-Windsor CNR (Canadian National Railway) train, just before Christmas. The scorched edges of the envelope tell the story of a disaster narrowly averted, making this a poignant reminder of the risks mail faced during transit in the early 20th century.
3. Illegal Inmate Mail
Janson touches on the strict regulations surrounding inmate mail with an example of a letter addressed to an Oregon state penitentiary. The letter, marked “Return to Sender” due to violating inmate mail rules, highlights the challenges prisoners face in communicating with the outside world. In this case, the sender attempted to use a business reply card, which was deemed inappropriate by the prison officials. This glimpse into inmate mail restrictions offers a unique perspective on the complexities of prison communication.
4. Counterfeit Stamps and Forwarded Mail
In another curious case, a letter featuring counterfeit postage was returned to Janson with instructions to contact customer service. The stamp, meant to cover municipal dues, raises questions about whether the sender or recipient had to bear the consequences of the fraudulent stamp. Additionally, a heartwarming example of a forwarded letter shows the postal service’s human side. A birthday card from Janson’s son, sent without sufficient postage, was forwarded as a courtesy by a compassionate postal worker who recognized its sentimental value.
5. Mail Suspended Due to COVID-19
One of the more recent examples in Janson’s collection reflects the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A letter sent from Vancouver to Qatar was returned with a label indicating “Temporary Suspension of Service,” a result of flight cancellations and mail embargoes during the pandemic. Qatar’s isolation, exacerbated by diplomatic tensions with neighboring countries, meant that mail services were severely disrupted for over three years. This piece highlights how global events can affect even the most routine aspects of life, such as receiving mail.
6. Missent Mail and International Detours
Another fascinating item is a letter that embarked on a convoluted journey from Canada to Antigua via Bermuda and Barbados. Originally sent from Janson’s bank in Toronto, the letter was inexplicably routed through the UK and multiple Caribbean islands before finally reaching its destination—weeks too late for its intended purpose. This mishap underscores the unpredictability of international mail routes and the postal system’s reliance on human judgment.
7. Mail Recovered by Divers
One of the most remarkable items in Janson’s collection is a letter recovered by divers from the wreck of the SS Empress of Ireland, which sank in 1914 off the coast of Nova Scotia. The letter was part of the salvage efforts and was later marked with a recovery postmark before being sent on to London. However, the stamp affixed to the letter was not original but rather salvaged from another recovered piece of mail, making this item a rare and poignant artifact from a maritime tragedy.
8. Census Marks on UK Mail
Janson also shared examples of the GB diamond census mark, a unique postal marking used on outgoing and incoming mail in the UK to track mail volume. These marks were applied during specific months in certain years and allowed postal authorities to gather data on how much mail was leaving or entering the country. While the marks themselves may appear mundane, they reveal the systematic efforts to manage and monitor the postal system, particularly during periods of high mail traffic.
9. Wicket Delivery Only
A letter marked for “wicket delivery only” offers a glimpse into the personal side of banking correspondence. The notation indicated that the recipient needed to pick up the letter in person, likely because of its sensitive nature—perhaps a loan notice or an important legal document. The term “wicket,” referring to a glass-paneled counter at a post office or bank, evokes an earlier era of face-to-face transactions and secure mail handling.
10. Postage Due for Pranks
Lastly, Janson touched on the lighter side of philately with a curious letter involving a prank. The letter had seemingly random postage due markings, leading Janson to suspect that a philatelist dealer, known for quirky antics, was behind it. This playful example shows that even in the serious world of stamp collecting, there’s room for humor and the occasional postal puzzle.
Conclusion: A Collection That Tells Stories
Arnie Janson’s collection of postal oddities is a treasure trove of stories, each envelope and marking offering a window into a different time, place, or circumstance. From stamps that fell off in transit to letters salvaged from shipwrecks, Janson’s presentation reminds us that philately is about more than just stamps—it’s about the human experiences, challenges, and sometimes extraordinary events that unfold through the simple act of sending and receiving mail.
