It would be interesting to know the number of stamps printed in each of the distinct shades, but we do not know even the total issue of the map stamps. The only reference is in the _London Philatelist_,[175] where it is remarked that "we understand [it] has been issued to the number of sixteen millions." They were not separated in the stamp accounts, but were reckoned in with the ordinary 2 cent stamps, and the above figure may very likely be the correct one as the number must have been large. We find from a newspaper clipping that the cost of manufacture of these stamps was 45 cents per thousand.[176] [175] =London Philatelist=, VIII: 79. [176] =Post Office=, IX: 37. In closing this account of the Christmas stamp it may be interesting to record the story of the first letter sent from Canada at the new rate and bearing the commemorative stamp in prepayment. It is taken from a Toronto newspaper. Penny ocean postage came into force at midnight on Saturday. The first letter to be posted was one by Mr. J. Ross Robertson, written to Mr. Edward Letchworth, the Grand Secretary, at Freemason's Hall, Great Queen-street, London.... The letter was received at the General Post-Office, Adelaide-street, Toronto, at one second past 12 o'clock on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 25th, by Mr. John Carruthers, the Assistant Postmaster, who certified to the posting with his signature on the envelope. At five seconds past 12 it was handed to Mr. H. S. Allen, chief of the night staff, who, at twelve seconds past the hour, dropped it into one of the electric stamping machines, and at fifteen seconds past midnight it came out in due and proper form, bearing the Toronto postmark of Dec. 25, and the new two-cent stamp in the right-hand corner, duly cancelled, so that it was all ready for the London mail bag, waiting for it and succeeding letters going by the next British mail. On the envelope was the name of the sender in the upper left-hand corner and the following endorsation in the lower left-hand corner. "This is to certify that this letter was mailed at the Toronto Post-Office at one-quarter of a minute past 12 o'clock on the morning of Dec. 25, 1898, and is the first letter to be posted and cancelled at the Toronto postoffice, bearing the new imperial penny postage stamp, addressed to Great Britain, (signed) John Carruthers, assistant postmaster." And under this: "Received at Freemason's Hall, London, Eng., at ... o'clock, ... day of January, 1899. ... "Grand Secretary." This is probably the first time in philatelic history that race-track timing has been employed on the passage of mail matter through the post! CHAPTER XV THE "KING'S HEAD" ISSUE OF 1903-1908