The Rosecraft first day cover of the 1967 Royal Visit stamp was addressed to Mr. David Miller, Ottawa, and marked "Personal". There was no return address, but the enclosure reveals that it was an advertizing first day cover from Gaylord Products of Canada, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. Gaylord was one of several businesses which used first day covers to promote their companies. What is unusual about the Gaylord letter is the reproduction of the stamp and the fact that there is no mention of the products or services provided by Gaylord, just a briefing on the Royal Visit stamp.
Gaylord Products of Canada Limited first day cover
June 27, 1967
Gaylord Products and Gayla
An easy internet search reveals that Gaylord sold hair pins under its "Gayla" mark.
For those who are not users of bobby pins, this Wikepedia description explains the device nicely:
A bobbing pin is a type of hairpin usually of metal or plastic, used in coiffure to hold hair in place. It is a small double-pronged hair pin or clip that slides into hair with the prongs open and then the flexible prongs close over the hair to hold it in place. They are typically plain and unobtrusively colored, but some are elaborately decorated or jeweled. Bobbing pins became popular in the 1920s to hold the new bobbed hairstyles.
1966 Christmas Issue
The next Gaylord first day cover is a knock-out. The enclosed letter, again addressed to Mr. Miller, conveyed the company's early Christmas message.
Canada Post Office Replacement First Day Cover
Gaylord's first day cover envelope was damaged by the Ottawa Post Office in servicing, and the Gaylord letter was sent in a Canada Post Office (CPO) replacement first day cover. CPO replacement covers are not common and a commercial usage is particularly unusual.
CPO replacement first day cover
October 12, 1966
Postmaster, Ottawa memorandum
I always marvel at the interesting discoveries one can make collecting first day covers.
