J.C. Wilson | Varieties

In his studies, Gates had determined that there were recurring sets of pairings of the colour, text and design of the word "Private Post Card" and the text "Stamp Here" that most commonly were found on the Wilson cards. These pairings, which he numbered 1 through 8, are reproduced below, and supplemented by additional combinations.

Nearly all of the Wilson postcards and envelopes show a printer's imprint on their face. The exception is the the early printing of the British Ensign WLS-001, and P-1 WLS-002, which have no imprint. When used, the imprints come in 3 types, as follows:

The listings of varieties are split into two categories, those found on postcards, and those found on envelopes.

Wilson Patriotic Envelopes—Song Backs

Most of the patriotic envelopes were available with patriotic songs printed on the envelope back, although some are available without song backs. Based on the research of Henry Gates, there were 16 songs including the following:

Kenneth Rowe has identified, in The Postal History of the Canadian Contingents, a 17th song, “We’re Britons None the Less”, as yet another envelope back, identified here as Song Back 17. The Old Union Jack used individually was unknown to Henry Gates, and is shown above as Song Back 18. Both are shown in the table above.

Rowe also noted that he knew of a single example of “When Johnny Canuck Comes Home” being printed on the back of a postcard. See the link above for examples of song backs printed on postcards, many of which were unknown unknown to Gates or Rowe.

Wilson Patriotic Envelopes—Song Back Printer's Inscription

Gates notes that the backs of the envelopes bore the text "Patriotic Envelopes, with Patriotic songs on the reverse for correspondence with our SOLDIER BOYS in South Africa, J.C. Wilson & Co., Publishers, Montreal." He notes that the words "Publishers, Montreal" may be reversed.

He also notes the inscription is omitted on Song Back No. 4, although variations have been found on Song Back No. 4 with both inscription Types ii and iii. With an additional inscription identified to Gates' initial types (labeled here as Type i and Type ii), there are 6 types as follows: