If Canada Post can get enough out, and maybe send some to revenue post offices instead of those flag-over-whatever definitives, we may actually see some of these turn up postally used by average Canadians. If you want to encourage stamp collecting, that’s what you have to do: get average people using interesting stamps. Continue reading →
This is a story that started as a bit of rumour going around that “something” was out there, which I first picked up on at the RPSC convention in Winnipeg. Armed with that rumour, I spent hours talking to people and sifting through possibilities. There were a few false reports along the way, but finally I got the thing figured out. However, it was still totally unconfirmed. Continue reading →
One thing I learned very quickly is that printers think a little differently than the rest of us. For them, a good quality printing job is all about the appearance of the printing. It doesn’t matter if the press is running publications, advertising material, or even stamps, the printer’s goal is to produce a product that is usable and pleasing to the customer. When it comes to stamps, the same thing happens. Collectors revel in details. For them, minute differences between stamps are clues that allow them to reassemble a printing plate, or even a plant’s whole production procedures. Continue reading →
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Canadian Stamp Dealers’ Association convention, held in Toronto. For me, one of the best parts of getting to a stamp event is that it gives me the chance to spend time talking to stamp collectors. A publication such as Canadian Stamp News is unique in that the readers are defined by interest, not by geography, so being able to chat with my readers is always a rare pleasure. Sometimes shows or sales seem to have themes, something has recently happened or is about to happen, or there is a hot item on the bourse floor. In this case, the message seemed to be about the fun of collecting. Continue reading →
The commemorative stamps with the Jenny right way up are not an error the way the inverted stamp was, they are an intentional variety created to invoke a treasure hunt mentality among collectors and members of the public. Continue reading →
It took me a bit of searching to discover that Helvetia was really Switzerland. I also learned that some countries’ stamps were harder to find than others. While I ended up with dozens and dozens of Spanish definitives featuring Francisco Franco’s smiling face, my Portugal page had just two or three lonely stamps. Continue reading →
They may have little more than an accumulation of interesting stuff, but they probably consider it a collection. I think the hobby should be viewing these people not as aberrations, but as potential hobbyists. They should be welcomed into the hobby and given encouragement and information. Continue reading →
If these stamps convince some of these young people to step away from an electronic device and look at a real stamp as something worth owning, then they will be good for the hobby. Continue reading →
Apparently, in every area, Canadians overwhelmingly support Canada Post. Everyone likes the idea of replacing home delivery with community mailboxes. Even senior citizens, who often dread winter walks in icy weather, welcome a way to get out of the house. In fact, one Canadian was quoted as saying door-to-door delivery is unreasonable in this day and age, despite the fact that home delivery six days a week is the norm in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France. Continue reading →
