2018 National Postage Stamp and Coin Show returns to GTA this weekend

The biannual National Postage Stamp and Coin Show returns to Mississauga this weekend with a nearly 50-dealer bourse, a combined coin and stamp auction, a world-class competitive philatelic exhibition and several high-profile seminars.

The two-day show, which is being held at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale hotel on 6750 Mississauga Rd., is one of only a handful of events to combine philately and numismatics in Canada. In addition to a smorgasbord of interesting material on the bourse, the show also boasts an abundance of fun activities for collectors of all ages.

Tomorrow, New York Times journalist James Barron and Bank of Canada Museum conservator Patricia Measures will lead separate presentations for show-goers.

Barron, who’s the author of The One-Cent Magenta: Inside the Quest to Own the Most Valuable Stamp in the World, will be sharing the historic journey of the one-cent magenta – the world’s most famous stamp – and answering questions from the audience at 2:30 p.m. He will also be available to autograph his book, which will also be sold at the show, following his presentation.

Earlier that day, Measures will explore the preservation and protection of various collections by teaching attendees to make informed decisions about storage options.

A ‘SMORGASBORD’ OF MATERIAL

Mike Walsh, part-owner of Trajan Publishing Corp., which publishes Canadian Coin News (CCN) and Canadian Stamp News (CSN), said there will be a “smorgasbord” of philatelic and numismatic material, including Canadian and worldwide stamps, souvenir sheets and first-day covers; boxes of postcards; a variety of Canadian and foreign coins and banknotes; Royal Canadian Mint products; medals; tokens; militaria; bullion; and coin and stamp supplies available at the show.

Among the nearly 50 dealers on the bourse are also a handful of new faces joining the show for the first time.

FREE PARKING

As advertised by show organizers, free on-site parking is provided at the National Postage Stamp and Coin Show; however, the hotel’s policy prevents us from placing signage in the parking lot. Attendees are asked to “sign in” with their license plate number on a sheet of paper at the registration table. Do not pay the fee at the parking lot’s automated meters.

75th NTSC EXHIBITION

In addition to the material on the bourse, the show will also feature the 75th annual exhibition of the North Toronto Stamp Club (NTSC), which is also celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

“Generally when you exhibit material, you go into the unexplored corners you might otherwise overlook, especially when you do a technical study of stamps,” said NTSC Exhibition Committee Co-Chair John Wilson, who’s also the club’s immediate past-president, historian and library chair.

Referring to exhibiting as a “very, very interesting thing,” Wilson said it’s one of the self-perpetuating aspects of philately as well as numismatics.

“It can be self-glory or gratification for the person – kudos for their knowledge and research – but at the same time, it’s a teaching tool and a great opportunity to show the depth of study that philately really is and the intellectual and emotional satisfaction that comes form pursuing it.”

Wilson added philatelic exhibiting allows philatelists to “put into order what is essential.”

“It’s a great look into not just the technicalities of stamp production and the carriage of mail, but it’s also a true history in every case. I think it’s a very valuable intellectual accomplishment.”

YOUNG COLLECTORS AUCTION

The Young Collectors Table, which consists of coin and stamp material, will be returning to our 2018 Spring Show.

Organizer Lisa McPherson will also be offering an exciting Young Collectors Auction featuring 30 lots. The auction will take place tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Thanks to donations from dealers and show organizers, there is no cost to participants of the auction.

Collectors are encouraged to bring their budding young collectors to the Young Collectors Table – open Saturday and Sunday – as well as to the auction. The table is affiliated with Coin Kids, courtesy of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association, and will feature gift bags from the Canadian Association of Numismatic Dealers. What’s more, a special kids book on collecting stamps will be available from the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada’s Philatelic Research Foundation.

SUNDAY SEMINARS

Modern-day communication is key to the survival of both coin and stamp collecting in the modern day; in fact, some people believe the penchant for traditional methods of communication is costing both hobbies their vitality and visibility. This pressing issue will be the focus of an April 8 seminar hosted by Trajan Media, publisher of Canadian Coin News and Canadian Stamp News and host of the biannual National Postage Stamp and Coin Show, at 10:30 a.m.

Trajan Media Managing Partner Mike Walsh and CCN Consulting Editor Jeff Fournier will explain the goals of the emerging network and gather attendees’ input, the basis of which will set the direction for future meetings.

The seminar is aimed at people who are interested in networking with like-minded individuals to enhance their writing, communication and marketing skills for the betterment of both hobbies. It is open to anyone—no matter what interests they hold—and can include writers, photographers, public relations professionals, marketing and social media managers, community managers and more.

‘COLLECTING 101’

Are you new to the hobby of coin and/or stamp collecting? Or are you one of the “partners” that hangs in the lobby with a book while your significant other or friend is scouring the bourse floor?

On April 8 at 11:30 a.m., two speakers very knowledgeable in collecting coins and stamps will take attendees on a fun “101” journey to better understand why coin and stamp collecting remain the most popular hobbies in the world.

EXHIBITING SEMINAR

Finally, on April 8 at 1 p.m., the North Toronto Stamp Club, which is hosting its 75th annual exhibition at the National Postage Stamp and Coin Show, will be giving a presentation on “Exhibiting from the Local Level and Up.”

The NTSC is also celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, so stop by this special presentation for some tried-and- true exhibiting information accumulated throughout the past eight decades.

POPULAR VENUE

The National Postage Stamp and Coin Show will be held in the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale’s 9,000-square-foot Graydon Hall, which is located on the main floor. Located only 20 minutes from downtown Toronto, the hotel is near Highway 401 and Highway 407. A special room rate of $118 a night is available to dealers and show-goers.

The show will be open tomorrow from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $3 on opening day but free on closing day. Parking is also free.

For more information about the biannual National Postage Stamp and Coin Show, which will be held this weekend as well as on Sept. 8-9, visit stampandcoinshow.com.

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