Decades of Canadian aerophilatelic research, publications and exhibits are becoming easier for collectors to explore following the launch of a completely rebuilt website by the Canadian Aerophilatelic Society (CAS).
Now live at aerophilately.ca, the redesigned website brings together material covering Canadian airmail, aviation history, postal routes and rates and specialized areas of aerophilately in a modern format designed for computers, tablets and mobile devices.
The project replaces the society’s longtime website while providing improved search and navigation to help collectors and researchers locate material within the CAS’s extensive holdings.
Among the resources available are articles, exhibits, presentations, books, monographs and back issues of the Canadian Aerophilatelist, the society’s journal.
RESEARCH RESOURCES
Collectors can explore material covering pioneer and semi-official airmail, international routes and rates and Canadian aviation history.
Individual sections also take visitors into specialized collecting areas, including pioneer flights, airships, crash covers, first flights and Newfoundland aerophilately.
The approach is intended to make the site useful not only for established aerophilatelists conducting research, but also for collectors who may be exploring airmail and aviation-related philately for the first time.
CAS webmaster Marc Castel undertook the website rebuild, with the goal of making the society’s accumulated research and reference material more accessible.
YOUNG COLLECTORS
The rebuilt site also introduces a Kids Zone aimed at bringing Canadian airmail and aviation history to younger collectors.
Among the initial resources is a printable album for Canada’s C1-C9 airmail stamps, along with colouring activities and illustrated stories examining historic flights and Canadian aviation.
The section provides an introduction to the connection between stamps, postal history and the development of aviation in Canada.
MORE TO COME
The website launch represents only the first phase of a larger CAS digital project.
A second phase is planned to introduce a members-only area containing the society’s digital library, along with a member forum and membership-management features.
A later phase is expected to take the project further by adding expanded research and analytical tools drawing upon the CAS collection of journals, exhibits, monographs, images and other reference material.
The phased development could ultimately turn the website into a much broader research centre for Canadian aerophilately while preserving and making accessible material accumulated by the society and its members.
Collectors can explore the rebuilt website at aerophilately.ca.