Sometimes the only way one will find that elusive postmark is to send a self-addressed cover to a post office and hope that they will cancel it nicely and return it by mail. This can lead to interesting side trips that you may not have anticipated. The times when I have pursued that I usually send of two items and ask the postmaster a simple question, such as “Is the post office located in a store or the postmaster’s residence?”. There are times when my question is ignored or perhaps just simply answered with three or four words. Back in 1997 I was moved to send a request to the Innu settlement of Davis Inlet in Labrador. In this instance I used a Canada Post produced post card showing a blue poppy which promoted the Québec en fleurs 97 exhibition which was held April 4-13 in Quebec. Card was designed by Alain Leduc. For the occasion Canada Post also issued a 45¢ stamp of the blue poppy (Unitrade #1638). The stamp was designed by Claude A. Simard, lithographed by Ashton-Potter Canada Limited in booklets of 12 stamps.
My post card was posted at Davis Inlet on July 14, 1997 with a most informative message written very neatly by Postmistress Amie Hay. I could not have asked for more. As seen by the little photo scan, the post office is anything but fancy. Next time you are moved to pursue that elusive postmark from an isolated post office ask a question or two and you might be very surprised what you will find out.
Submitted by Gus K
My post card was posted at Davis Inlet on July 14, 1997 with a most informative message written very neatly by Postmistress Amie Hay. I could not have asked for more. As seen by the little photo scan, the post office is anything but fancy. Next time you are moved to pursue that elusive postmark from an isolated post office ask a question or two and you might be very surprised what you will find out.
Submitted by Gus K