Three Canadians with distinctly different yet deeply rooted ties to philately have been honoured in the Most Influential Philatelists and Their Epic Stamp Stories, published this March by Linn’s Stamp News. Listed among 73 other influencers, the Canadian honourees include Gary Lyon, a dealer and auctioneer in business since the 1970s; Jim Phillips, the head of Canada Post’s stamp program from 2002-21; and Charles Verge, a reputable collector, researcher and exhibitor who signed the iconic Roll of Distinguished Philatelists (RDP) this February. Their names and legacies – each centred on an “epic” personal philatelic story – stand in the 116-page book alongside other living honourees. They each played a significant role in shaping the hobby over “the past couple of decades,” according to Linn’s Editor-in-Chief Jay Bigalke, who added the honourees range from collectors to dealers, auctioneers and other individuals “professionally involved” in hobby organizations and postal administrations. In the book’s contents, illustrations show all of the honourees in boxes in a format similar to a souvenir sheet. “We have received lots of positive feedback from both those who were selected and from the worldwide philatelic community,” Bigalke, of Sidney, Ohio, told CSN. “Many of the winners have taken to social media to talk up their selection, and we are thrilled to see that.” Continue reading →
Published in March, the Linn’s Stamp News Most Influential Philatelists and Their Epic Stamp Stories recognizes 76 individuals, including three Canadians, who have greatly impacted the hobby.
