Lot 553

1918, Dominion of Canada War Savings Certificate, registered to a user in Montreal, Quebec (#63), bearing three $5 green English and one $5 green French War Savings stamps, some separation at top and bottom of the vertical fold, a small missing corner and some light wear, otherwise in remarkably fine condition, an exceptional rarity, unique; with 2005 van Dam certificate.

THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE FRENCH VERSION ON CERTIFICATE, AND THE MOST VALUABLE DOCUMENT BEARING A CANADIAN FEDERAL REVENUE STAMP.

As examples were used on certificates and cashed in the stamps were destroyed, and few survive in any language. The 1918 War Savings program was a First World War initiative launched by the National War Savings Committee to encourage citizens to save in support of the war effort, the $5 level being the highest denomination in the program. While subscription levels were strong across most of Canada, the French program in Quebec was considerably less subscribed, primarily due to political resistance to the war and in particular to the Conscription Act of 1918. A cornerstone of an advanced collection or exhibit.