Dickinson, Gary (2013). First Day Covers of Newfoundland.

After his first three BNAPS books, on A.C. Roessler, Joseph C. Rosenbaum and the Marks Stamp Company, Gary Dickinson has now added a fourth, the first ever detailed compilation of information on and illustrations of the First Day Covers (FDC) of Newfoundland. The book was produced with the generous assistance of BNAPS First Day Cover Study Group members Ivan Hebert-Croteau, Maurice Malenfant, and Bob Vogel.Although the history of First Day Covers of Newfoundland stamp issues spans less than 30 years, three characteristic styles developed during that period. From dated postmarks as the only indication of FDC status in the 1920s, Newfoundland FDCs progressed to handwritten, typed, and rubber stamped markings into the early 1930s. These were gradually superseded by printed cachets through the final Newfoundland stamp issue in 1947. The intent of this monograph is to outline the development of Newfoundland FDCs by documenting and recording them, with an expectation that this will serve as a baseline for further study.The four main chapters cover early FDCs produced from 1920 to 1936, those prepared for the Coronation of King George VI in 1936, the many varieties arising from the Royal Visit of 1939, and finally those printed in the Forties. The Appendix is a 24-page illustrated catalogue of all FDC cachets which were duplicated through a printing process from 1933 to 1947. Each cachet type has a unique number tied to the Scott number for the stamp, which should greatly help as the study of Newfoundland FDCs carries on into the future.Pricing was not addressed in the cachet catalogue. The very limited supply of Newfoundland FDC material available in the market place at any given time is often counterbalanced by a small number of collectors, which results in low demand. Prices can range from a few dollars for FDCs that are relatively widely available to a few hundred dollars for scarcer early covers or attractive cachets produced in very low numbers.Dr. Gary Dickinson worked in British Columbia secondary schools, colleges, and universities for 35 years until he retired in 2001. The last 20 years were at Okanagan College and Okanagan University College where he served as South Okanagan Regional Director for five years and Dean of the Faculty of Adult and Continuing Education for 15 years. He was also Acting Vice-President, Academic for the year and a half prior to his retirement. Since 2002, Gary has followed up on his interest in continuing education by serving as President of the Society for Learning in Retirement, a 700 member organization providing educational programs for seniors in the Central Okanagan.