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The only recorded multiple of the New Brunswick 5-cent Connell
(Scott 5; SG 15) |
The 5-cent Connell stamp has always evoked interest, as it represents a provocative philatelic event. The collection offered here easily ranks as one of the finest specialized collections ever formed around this fascinating issue. The best introduction to the topic is found in The Postage Stamps of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by Nicholas Argenti.
During the 1850’s trade continued to grow between the United States and its neighbors to the North. To facilitate trade with the United States, the Decimal Currency Acts of 1859 provided for a change from the old pounds and pence to the new currency of cents and dollars. Canada had already made the gradual change, between 1853 and 1858. This change necessitated a new set of New Brunswick postage stamps with the correct currency.
Stamps in 1c, 5c, 10c and 12-1/2c denominations were ordered from the American Bank Note Company in December 1859, for anticipated distribution and use after May 1, 1860. The 1c featured a locomotive, the 5c a portrait of Postmaster General Charles Connell, the 10c a portrait of Queen Victoria, and the 12-1/2c an illustration of a steamship. 500,000 of the 5c Connell stamps were printed and delivered, though none was distributed to post offices.
Official government records indicate that, prior to distribution, the stamps printed for all four denominations were held as early as April 11, 1860, at Fredericton. Authorization for distribution of the other three denominations was granted by the Lieutenant Governor’s office on May 12, 1860. In the same communication, a new 5c stamp was authorized, to bear the likeness of Queen Victoria. In reply to these instructions, Postmaster General Connell stated that he had prepared a 5c stamp, which was ready for distribution as well. When the Lieutenant Governor’s office delayed release of the 5c stamp, Charles Connell was offended and resigned his post. He battled charges of excessive vanity for the rest of his life.
The fate of the 500,000 Connell stamps has been the subject of some debate. One interviewer of Mr. Connell states that he burned the majority of stamps after reimbursing the Post Office Department for the cost, and that a few were given away as souvenirs. Another account is that the Lieutenant Governor dispatched an agent, Frederick Herbert Jenkins Dibblee, to collect and destroy the 5c stamps. All were burned with the exception of one sheet purchased by Charles Connell and a single copy retained by Dibblee against orders. This latter account was given by Mr. Dibblee and is more consistent with the number of recorded examples.