Category Archives: Top Story

Since its 2004 launch, the free image data processing program Gwyddion has drawn the attention of philatelists for its powerful ability to uncover some of a stamp’s hidden elements. Czech researchers David Nečas and Petr Klapetek developed the program – free to download on gwyddion.net – which can transform engraved and embossed stamps into three-dimensional images. It... Continue reading →

She was only six when Newfoundland issued the world’s first stamp featuring a princess who, until her death Sept. 8, was the British Commonwealth’s longest-reigning monarch. Born April 21, 1926 in an affluent west London area family home, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was the Duke and Duchess of York’s first of two children. “As the... Continue reading →

Classic Canadian stamps, proofs and varieties plus a U.S. rarity with a compound perforation error are expected to lead the next Maresch auction. The 740-lot general sale will cross the block on Oct. 12 during a single session, which kicks off at 10 a.m. (ET). With a wide range of material from more than 60... Continue reading →

Digital technology’s impact on modern philately has been widely felt across the hobby over the past two decades as more collectors begin to understand the potential benefits of computer-based tools and resources. Instead of serving as a death knell, technologies such as smartphones and social media “are the platform for the next generation of philatelists,” according... Continue reading →

Renowned Canadian philatelist Ron Brigham, the man who assembled what Maclean’s called the “greatest collection of Canadian stamps ever,” has died at age 78 following a prolonged illness. A resident of Mississauga, Ont., where he led his fastener company Sure-Grip for four decades, Brigham died on Aug. 4. He began collecting stamps at age nine... Continue reading →

Canada Post has announced its plans to scrap Picture Postage later this summer, giving collectors and other customers six weeks to submit designs before the program ends after 22 years. Since 2000, Picture Postage has allowed collectors and non-collectors alike to create personalized stamps and postcards with custom images for use on mail in Canada.... Continue reading →

Much like the rest of the world, collectors have experienced their hobbies in a fast-changing environment for much of the 21st century. While the early 2000s saw widespread discontent among philatelists with the advent of the Internet and email, both of which were said to comprise the hobby’s so-called “death knell,” the following decade brought... Continue reading →

While philatelic auctions date back more than a century and a half, the level of competition among bidders hit unprecedented levels during the pandemic. Bidders have always sought the upper hand while competing at auctions – from colluding with other collectors to using individual bidding strategies such as sniping or shading – but several best practices... Continue reading →

While making philatelic history as the world’s first One-Frame International Stamp Championship, CAPEX 22 reunited collectors from around the world after several years of sometimes-isolating pandemic shutdowns. Camaraderie remained high throughout the four-day show, which ran from June 9-12 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto. Interests were particularly piqued by the show’s... Continue reading →

With the help of a Toronto man, two Ukrainian philatelic authors have smuggled their books from the war-torn country and shipped them to Canada just in time for CAPEX 22. In addition to more than 400 single-frame exhibits, the June 9-12 international show in Toronto will feature a literature competition with 100-plus entries across seven... Continue reading →