Author Archives: Jim Szeplaki

Widely regarded as the “crown jewel of Canadian philately,” the glorious 10-pence blue block is not only one of the most extraordinary showpieces in Canadian stamp collecting but also a premier lot in the fourth – and final – offering from the legendary Ron Brigham collection. According to New Brunswick’s Eastern Auctions, this stunning mint... Continue reading →

Dealers are facing the brunt of the cost with Canada Post enforcing a rule focused on lettermail, specifically pieces of mail with stiff inserts to protect valuable contents such as stamps and coins, mailed to the United States and other international destinations. While the rule dates back to early 2021, when international postal regulations required Canada... Continue reading →

After the cancellation in 2020 and a more than 20-year hiatus since 1999, the Royal *2024* Royale is set to make a triumphant return to Fredericton, N.B., Sept. 20-22. Rob Lunn, chair of the event, described the anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding this significant philatelic gathering. “The club is excited about the opportunity to finally host... Continue reading →

Renowned South African philatelist Jan Hofmeyr, who clinched the prestigious single-frame Champion of Champions award in 2022 at Chicagopex, has now made British Columbia his home. In this month’s Stamp Talks, Hofmeyr shared invaluable lessons he learned while writing Understanding the Grill Stamps of the United States. “One of the biggest surprises to me,” said... Continue reading →

Ottawa philatelists Chris Green and Eliseo Temprano are the new owners of Sparks Auctions. “Having been involved with Sparks in its earliest days, I’m delighted to be working with the team to see the company through its next stage of growth,” says Green, who will lead the philatelic aspects of the business. The Ottawa-based company... Continue reading →

It seems the flood of counterfeit postage stamps that keeps showing up in certain countries has finally, and again, impacted Canadian postage stamps.  While Canadian stamps have been counterfeited a number of times in the 2000’s, these have mostly been first-class (‘P’) values in booklets of 10. In approximately 2021, two counterfeits were found from... Continue reading →

For only the second time ever, the annual convention of the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) will be held in New Brunswick. From Sept. 20-22, members of “Canada’s national stamp club” will gather in Fredericton for the highly anticipated event. The Royal *2024* Royale convention will be hosted by the Fredericton District Stamp Club... Continue reading →

In the quaint North Shore town of Boisbriand, a short distance from bustling Montreal, l’École Alternative Le Sentier is making waves with its progressive education model. The model encourages children to pursue new skills and passions through project-based learning. Every other Thursday afternoon, an innovative concept called “a day at school off” is implemented, allowing... Continue reading →

Eastern Auctions anticipates specialists will scrutinize its May 22-25 sale closely, given its extensive collection of 1,500 lots primarily focused on Canada and British North America. The four-day auction showcases numerous lots rarely seen at auction. “Not counting the fabulous collection of Cyprus and worldwide lots in this sale, there are over 1,200 lots on... Continue reading →

The coin and stamp show, held at the Hilton Mississauga on April 6-7, boasted a remarkable turnout, particularly on opening day, with a substantial influx of collectors filling the expansive 9,100  sq. ft. ballroom throughout the day. Over the weekend, more than 50 dealers from across Canada enjoyed a steady stream of collectors at the... Continue reading →