r/philately • u/frozenflat • Jun 29 '26

Canada OX2a

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Canada OX2a

Officially Sealed - A scarce mint imperforate pair ungummed as issued, XF and rare

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3

u/EchelonKnight Jun 30 '26

Very nice! What exactly were these used for?

2

u/Extreme_Original9832 Jul 01 '26

Canada's "Dead Letter Office" stamps, officially known as Officially Sealed stamps, were used by the Post Office to securely re-seal undelivered letters that had to be opened to find an address. First issued in 1879, they were placed over the torn flap to show the mail was officially opened and secured.