Category Archives: Top Story

Since mid-march, more than a dozen countries have issued COVID-19 stamps as commemorations, fundraising efforts and attempts to bring people together in a time of crisis. While some of these stamps are official issues released by their respective country’s postal administration, many personalized stamps and much-maligned “wallpaper” stamps have also been produced in the past four... Continue reading →

With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing since mid-March, countries around the world have been fighting an invisible enemy for about four months. In that time, while adjusting to the “new normal,” postal administrations have given collectors a plethora of pandemic-related postal history, stamps and postmarks that will serve topical and thematic exhibitors well into... Continue reading →

When the first World One-Frame Stamp Championship comes to Canada in 2022, it’s expected to give yet another big boost to one of the country’s “greatest centres of philately.” Following in the footsteps of the previous two CAPEX shows, hosted in 1996 and 1987, CAPEX 22 will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre... Continue reading →

Relatively unassuming in appearance, the VSC6000 packs a powerful punch when it comes to philatelic expertization. Its high-resolution colour camera, zoom lenses and various light sources and filters – from ultraviolet (UV) to visible and infrared wavelengths – give the user an unparalleled power to see a stamp’s invisible features. “You get very consistent lighting in a... Continue reading →

When the world’s first one-frame stamp championship comes to Toronto in 2022, it will mark Canada’s first international exhibition in more than a quarter century. Coming to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) on June 9-12, 2022, CAPEX 22 will be Canada’s fifth international show since 1951. Each of the previous four shows was also... Continue reading →

While Canada Post’s next four stamp issues – slated for release in April and May – are going ahead as planned, the Crown corporation has postponed its upcoming sets featuring ballet legends and vintage travel posters. Two April issues, including one stamp marking Eid and another pair honouring Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day), were released on... Continue reading →

Uncertainty abounds about the series of world stamp exhibitions managed by the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP), according to a recent statement from the Swiss-based philatelic group. Responsible for exhibiting at the international level, the FIP has more than 90 “member federations,” including Canada, with eligibility to enter world stamp exhibitions it grants patronage or auspices.... Continue reading →

In a matter of days, dozens of shows, auctions, club meetings and other philatelic events have been cancelled as concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic continue to escalate worldwide. Following the Public Health Agency of Canada’s community-based measures to mitigate the virus’ spread, many organizers are cancelling their events – sometimes only days before they were slated to... Continue reading →

A collection of 28 postcards formerly owned by a stamp collector in Abbotsford, B.C., was recently donated to the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC). Now, staff with the VHEC are seeking more information – and hopefully more cards – relating to Sylvia Loewy, who used the cards to write to her husband Fritz after his 1942 arrest... Continue reading →

An avid collector of modern Canadian stamps and purveyor of all things philatelic, Robin Harris was seemingly made for the role of editor of Unitrade’s long-running stamp catalogue. Published annually for more than two decades, the Unitrade Specialized Catalogue of Canadian Stamps owes much of its evolution to long-time editor Robin Harris, of Manitoba, who... Continue reading →