On May 30, 1882, Brandon, Manitoba became a city. Shortly before that occasion, on March 6th, the postal authorities prepared a new split-ring hammer for the Brandon post office. It is not known when it was first used in Brandon

Another "FEE" cover provides a very early example (April 17, 1882) of the new split-ring postmark for Brandon.
This FEE cover shows the same hammer but it is dated August 1, 1882; after the event of Brandon becoming a city.

Both sides of a cover

Also in 1882, postal authorities issued a newer style of hammer for the Brandon post office. This is the "circle-date-stamp", or CDS. A fine example of the first CDS hammer is shown, on the back of the cover used on October 27, 1882. This registered mail was sent to John McKinnon of Brandon, from Guelph, and carries an example of the 2-cent registry stamp as well as the latter postage rate of 3-cents.

 

 

 

En route, this cover travelled on the Wellington, Grey and Bruce Railway and was also processed at Windsor before coming to Manitoba via the USA. During 1882, that railway became part of the Grand Trunk system.

 

 

 

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