The use of pre-cancelled stamps (or stamps cancelled before actually used for payment of postage) is permitted in some of the larger cities under very stringent regulations and only when required for any one mailing in quantities of not less than 25,000 stamps, but postage stamps cancelled with the small roller canceller have been observed on letters and other matter passing in the mails, and Postmasters are accordingly instructed that UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES are they permitted to precancel postage stamps. The roller canceller is reserved for the cancellation of postage stamps on Second, Third and Fourth Class Matter and must be used only on stamps after being ACTUALLY AFFIXED to such matter. ANY POSTMASTER FOUND TO BE PRECANCELLING STAMPS IN ANY WAY OR SELLING STAMPS PRE-CANCELLED WITHOUT AUTHORITY WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL VALUE OF SUCH CANCELLED STAMPS. It is proper to explain that the authorized pre-cancelled stamps are struck with a special die bearing the name of the mailing office and are sold only to the largest mailing concerns under conditions which it is considered preclude any danger of such stamps being used a second time for postage. Such conditions would not attend the use of stamps pre-cancelled with the ordinary roller stamp, and in consequence the use of the roller stamps for such a purpose is strictly forbidden, under the penalty above mentioned. Requisitions for pre-cancelled stamps must be made direct to the Department (Stamp Branch). No request for pre-cancelled stamps can be considered where the number of pieces to be prepaid thereby is less than 25,000. R. M. COULTER, Deputy Postmaster General. [251] =Ibid.=, XVIII: 322. Not long afterward the bars were lowered somewhat on the size of the mailing required for the use of precancelled stamps, as the following circular shows:[252]-- POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CANADA. OTTAWA, 29th October, 1904. PRECANCELLED STAMPS. (Amending Departmental Circulars of 11th March and 16th September.) It is desired that the use of precancelled stamps should be attended with every possible degree of precaution and security and for that purpose only requisitions for precancelled stamps to cover mailings of _25,000 pieces at a time_ have been allowed. It is considered, however, in the light of experience, that this limit is somewhat high, and in future, therefore, postmasters will be allowed to make requisition for precancelled stamps for mailings of _10,000 pieces at a time_. R. M. COULTER, Deputy Postmaster General. [252] =Mekeel's Weekly Stamp News=, XVIII: 402.