Toronto Postcard Club (TPC)

Comment from Barry Stasiewicz
Time: May 27, 2009, 1:05 pm

RE: Dennis Blake’s V&S Date Codes:

I’m afraid that theory would be just to easy. I note cards in the 114670-114700’s of Jasper Park Lodge printed for the CNR would, according to your idea, place these cards in 1914. However, the buildings shown weren’t built until the early 1922-23. In fact, JPL didn’t exist prior to 1915 until the Grand Trunk Pacific Rwy built a tenting resort until WW1.

Comment from Donald Collins
Time: January 4, 2009, 12:50 am

To Mr. Dennis Blake.

Hi Dennis,

I read your query with interest. On the face of it, your hypothesis seems to hold water. Since the earliest cards (100s, 101s) appeared in 1905 and 1906, it’s pretty much impossible to invalidate your theory based solely on postmarks. But, I’m afraid that’s where it ends. I’ll quote a few examples ( there are literally dozens) that don’t fit your template.

First, there’s #104,618 Y.M.C.A., St. John, N.B., which, using your formula, would be the 618th photo from 1904. However, the original photo was taken by Isaac Erb in October of 1908.
Next is #107,377 No. 1 Hook and Ladder Truck and Company, St. John, N.B. Erb took this photo in June of 1911.
Finally, #112,052 Atlantic Sugar Refinery, St. John, N.B. This refinery wasn’t built until 1915.
Additionally, what year would one assign to the 600 series? And, #100,000 Halifax from George’s Island, would pose its own special problem.

My own theory about the numbering system is this. Prior to 1905, reps from Valentine & Sons began visiting cities and towns across the country, buying up large batches of photos which were taken back to Great Britain and used to produce the postcards we cherish today. Numbers were given to the cards, probably in more or less chronological order. Often times, larger communities were assigned blocks of 10, 15, 20 or more consecutive numbers. This process continued through World War I, and perhaps a bit longer.

After that, it wasn’t long before the white-bordered era began. Unfortunately, Valentine, no doubt to cut costs, resorted to reprinting several earlier views, which by that time were twenty years old or more. Still, happily, many new views were printed under the Valentine-Black banner, most bearing numbers from the 113, 114, and 115 series. In the mid to late 1930s, production dwindled and had nearly ground to a halt by the outbreak of World War II.

Comment from Dennis Blake
Time: January 2, 2009, 1:19 am

I have a suspicion that the code on the regular series Canadian cards represent the date of the photograph: 100 001 representing the first photograph from 1900; 104 978 representing the 978th photo from 1904. From an admittedly small sampling, I cannot find a Valentines card whose postmarked year is earlier than the code “date”. I wonder if Mr. Donald Collins, in his excellent and vast collection, is able to locate a card that would invalidate this hypothesis? (e.g., can he find a card in the 115 series that is earlier that 1915?). Regards, Dennis Blake

Comment from Donald Collins
Time: August 9, 2008, 11:26 pm

Hi Barb,

I haven’t been to the club’s site for a while, which is obvious. I am in the midst of writing a novel, which if I’m really lucky, might be published one day. I would be happy to help with your listing of Valentine & Sons cards and would certainly share the “earliest postmark” information. I’ve only done postmarks for Saint John cards, but it would be neat to expand it. Your listing stopped at the 109 series. Will the later series be added in the future? I have compiled cards from the 110’s through the 115’s, plus 118’s, 119’s, 600’s, 601’s, and 602’s. I have listed roughly 3,700 cards. About half that number are Nova Scotia and New Brunswick cards.

Best regards,
Donald Collins

Comment from bhenderson
Time: March 8, 2008, 3:06 pm

Hi Donald,

We’ve recently revamped our Valentine list on this site to make it easier to sort and use. We’d appreciate any input that you might have, or any addditions/corrections. We could even add your ‘earliest postmark’ information to the list if you care to share it.

Thanks for your contribution.
BHenderson

Comment from Donald Collins
Time: February 4, 2008, 6:28 am

Dear Mr. Brown,

I have done extensive research on Valentine & Sons cards from my area (Saint John, N.B.), including earliest postmarks for the various series. Your card would have been issued c.1912-1914, although the actual view may be earlier.

Comment from bhenderson
Time: July 31, 2007, 10:00 pm

Hi Barry,

I’m quite sure that your postcard was published by the Valentine and Son Company. I did some Googling and the two links below have a fairly good biography of the company. I also Googled Corby Park and learned that it was established in 1905. This fact, along with the knowledge that Valentine’s was in it’s prime in the early 1900’s would suggest that your postcard is from this era. The view on the card should also provide you with a time line. In this respect, perhaps the local Historical Society in Belleville could help you with your question.

Failing that, come to our Annual Postcard Show February 8th, 2009 at the Humber College Campus. (more info on our web site) You’ll find many knowledgeable collectors and dealers there and possibly another of these cards that’s been postally used that would verify the publication date more narrowly.

http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk/news/03021901.html
http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/tourism/pcards/valtine.htm

Thanks for your interest in the Toronto Postcard Club.
Barb Henderson
TPC Membership