As part of the process of moving to a decimal currency system in 1860, the New Brunswick post office had to produce new stamps denominated in “cents” to replace the existing pence values. In December 1859, Charles Connell, the Postmaster General, let a contract to the American Bank Note Company of New York for four values, for delivery by April for usage on 1 May 1860.
There was public furor over Connell’s using his image on the 5¢ stamp. He was forced to resign, and the “offending stamp” was withdrawn. Using rare images from various sources Derek examines the postage rates from 15 May 1860, for letters to BNA, to adjacent towns, Newfoundland, the United States and then moves on to transatlantic mail, Bermuda, and the British West Indies.
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