Author Archives: Jim Szeplaki

At this year’s ORAPEX exhibition in Ottawa, exhibitors weren’t just showcasing their material – they were gaining invaluable feedback from some of the most experienced judges in philately. Leading the session was Chief Judge Ed Kroft, who offered candid, practical advice on how collectors can improve everything from title pages to treatment and presentation. Continue reading →

As the world’s first postage stamp, the Penny Black turns 185 this May, collectors and letter writers alike are honouring its legacy in a unique, heartfelt way. The U.K.-based Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society (HLAS) is encouraging thousands of its members—across 38 countries including Canada—to mark the occasion by simply writing and mailing a letter. Continue reading →

As sweeping new U.S. tariffs ripple through global trade, Canadian stamp dealers are bracing for serious consequences. The latest measures—announced on April 2 under the “Reciprocal Tariff Policy”—impose a 10 per cent duty on imports from nearly every country in the world, along with additional duties of up to 50 per cent on goods from... Continue reading →

Collectors now have a fresh, all-Canadian reference to help decode the language of philately. Trajan Publishing has released its Illustrated Philatelic Dictionary, a nearly 100-page, full-colour softcover book packed with terms both traditional and modern—available now at CoinStampSupplies.com. Continue reading →

Collectors and postal historians alike will find much to admire in Eastern Auctions’ upcoming sale, slated for April 9-12, where a remarkable 1,150 lots of Canadian and colonial stamps and postal history will cross the block. The four-session sale opens with a standout offering—what’s believed to be the most comprehensive collection of Alberta postal history... Continue reading →

A Canadian philatelist has made history, earning international recognition for his outstanding contributions to the world of competitive stamp exhibiting. Presented at a prestigious global exhibition, this honour marks a first for North America and cements his legacy in philatelic circles. His decades of dedication, leadership, and expertise have shaped international exhibitions and left a... Continue reading →

During the 1980s, as philatelic interest soared to record highs, Canada Post launched a bold initiative to inspire the next generation of collectors. With millions of letters passing through the mail each year, the Crown corporation capitalized on this momentum by creating the Stamp Travellers’ Club, a mail-based program that, at its peak, attracted more... Continue reading →

The venerable Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the country’s oldest continuously operating national public broadcasting network, once had a stamp club. Established 88 years ago, in November 1936, the CBC includes distinct English-and French-language service units known as CBC and Radio-Canada, respectively, reflecting Canada’s official languages. Canadian officials based their Crown corporation on the British model,... Continue reading →

Nearly 175 lots will cross the block as part of Eastern Auctions’ third sale of the Denninger Collection on Feb. 22 with this portion offering airmail rarities from Newfoundland and Canada. The sale, which offers Lots 501-674 in a single session, contains “most of the major” Newfoundland airmail rarities, including errors, varieties, overprints and surcharges,... Continue reading →

The first portion of the Hobart Collection, featuring New Brunswick and Nova Scotia proofs, stamps, and postal history, will cross the block on Feb. 21. The Maritime provinces issued 10 different designs between 1851, when they were still British colonies, and 1867, when they joined Canadian Confederation. The consignor has “methodically and carefully assembled” the... Continue reading →