It seems hardly possible that but 200 copies of each were supplied in 1896--_i.e._ two sheets of each value--if they were the normal perforated stamps. Possibly this small supply consisted of the imperforates--both values being known in this condition--and if so they may have been printed to fill a special requisition. The imperforate 20c is on the normal shade but the 50c is, as Mr. Howes observes, in a "peculiar black blue" shade. There are no marked varieties in shade as can easily be understood from the few printings which took place. _Reference List._ 1893. Engraved and Printed by the British American Bank Note Co. of Ottawa. Wove paper. Perf. 12. 33. 20c vermilion, Scott's No. 46. 34. 50c deep blue, Scott's No. 47. CHAPTER XII.--_The 8c Stamp of 1893._ Until 1889 the registration fee had to be prepaid by means of the special stamps issued for the purpose. When, in 1889, a uniform registration fee of 5c was adopted the public were given permission to use the ordinary postage stamps in making up the difference between the old rate of 2c and the new one. This was done largely to enable the old 2c labels to be used up. In 1893 it was decided to discontinue the use of special registration stamps altogether and to permit the payment of the registry fee by means of the regular postage stamps. As the rate of domestic postage was 3c at that time and the registration fee was 5c, a new stamp, by means of which both postage and registration could be paid together, it was decided, would be useful. Consequently an 8c denomination was issued, this being recorded in the _Philatelic Record_ for October, 1893, though, judging from the following extract from the WEEKLY for August 10th, 1893, it would appear that the new value was in general circulation at least as early as August 1st:-- The following orders were posted up in all Canadian post-offices on August 1st: A new postage stamp of the value of 8c is now being put into circulation. This stamp will be available for the prepayment either of registration fee and postage combined, or of postage only. The 5c registration stamp, when the present supply is exhausted, will be withdrawn. [Illustration] The new denomination, as stated in the _Philatelic Record_, "resembles in design the 3 cents of the current series; but the head of the Queen has been turned the other way, and is now to the left."