The standard design of this first J.C. Wilson design complies with the definition of a “business card” printing in that none of the cards came with the “Private Post Card” text and stamp box that is common to the other designs.
In the image above, an enterprising business has used this opportunity to print an eadd on both the front and back of the card, while still retaining the opportunity to dispatch the card through the mail.
Above, a version of a WLS-P02 Type II card with both the stamp box and the text within the stamp box omitted, consistent with a business card printing of the postcard.
Above, WLS-P03 Type I, postally used September 1, 1898 with a Halifax M.C. cancel and a Freeport cancellation ddressed to Mr. G.R. Bancroft, Freeport, Digby County, Nova Scotia mailed from Acadia Mines.
The card shows an example of the “Business Card” printing with the “Private Post Card” text and stamp box omitted.
Below, the reverse of the card, with correspondence from A.G. Ruggles to G.R. Bancroft, both teachers.
Above, a version of the WLS-P05 poscard without the words "Private Post Card", and lacking a stamp box.
Note the bars of the flag are continuous beneath the pair of stamps. In the standard card printing, the bars are terminated to create a box for the application of the stamp. The version of the card without the stamp box also lacks the words "Private Post Card" which appear on the cards with the stamp box.
This type of printing is consistent with the “Business Card” variation that was available to people who wished to overprint additional advertising without conflict with the printing on the standard card.
Above, WLS-P06 Type II, postally used September 1, 1898 with a Halifax M.C. cancel and a Freeport cancellation addressed to Mr. G.R. Bancroft, Freeport,, Digby County, Nova Scotia mailed from Acadia Mines.
The card shows an example of the “Business Card” printing with the “Private Post Card” text and stamp box omitted.
Below, the reverse of the card, with correspondence from A.G. Ruggles to G.R. Bancroft, both teachers.
On the card above, the words "Private Post Card" do not appear, nor does any reference to the application of a postage stamp. From the image alone, this card could almost be mistaken for the patriotic envelope version of the design, however the variation is consistent with the “Business Card” printing, allowing for a business to overprint their own information without interference from the standard postcard text.