Category Archives: Top Story

The National Postage Stamp and Coin Show recently returned to Mississauga, where its location within the Greater Toronto Area connected dealers to a significant portion of Canada’s philatelic market. The Sept. 8-9 show was held at the Hilton Mississauga, fewer than 40 kilometres from what was formerly known as “Toronto’s philatelic heart” – Victoria Street and Adelaide Street East – in the city’s Garden District. Continue reading →

This fall’s Canpex 2018 will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Western Fair, which has been held in downtown London, Ont., every September since 1868. Organizers are hoping for continued growth this fall for its third gathering, when scores of people are expected to gather for Canpex 2018 –  hosted by the Middlesex Stamp Club – on Oct. 13-14. “With summer coming to an end, people are getting back into the hobby. One of the reasons we have the show in October is to celebrate Stamp Collecting Month,” said show co-chair John Sheffield, who’s also the executive director of the Canadian Stamp Dealers’ Association. Continue reading →

The final five-stamp set from the three-year “Birds of Canada” series was released on Aug. 20. The Canadian goose (Branta canadensis); whopping crane (Grus americana); chickadee (Poecile atricapillus); snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus); and Steller’s jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) are among the five birds featured in this year’s set. Continue reading →

There was no shortage of postal history at the second annual symposium hosted by the Postal History Society of Canada (PHSC) in Hamilton this July. The five-day show, which included a two-day bourse on July 21 and 22, was a marked improvement over last year’s inaugural show, said symposium vice-chair Bill Longley. Continue reading →

A “Travelling Postal Museum” produced by long-time philatelist and award-winning exhibitor Grégoire Teyssier, of Québec, is making the rounds at stamp shows across the country. First presented this March at the Lakeshore Stamp Club exhibition in Dorval, Qué.; at Orapex in Ottawa this May; and at the Postal History Society of Canada (PHSC) Symposium in Hamilton this July, the museum will also be displayed at BNAPEX – the annual convention of the British North America Philatelic Society – in Québec this September. Continue reading →

David McLaughlin’s eight-frame exhibit, “The Maple Leaf Issue of Canada 1897-1898,” won the Grand Award at the 160-frame exhibition held during The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) Convention this June. The exhibit also earned the RPSC Excellence Award (Title Page/Synopsis); the American Philatelic Society (APS) Medal of Excellence (Research); the British North America Philatelic Society (BNAPS) Best BNA Exhibit Award; and the BNAPS Best BNA Research Award. Continue reading →

A mint vertical strip of 10 three-pence red beaver stamps (Scott #1) nearly tripled its pre-sale estimate of $10,000-plus when it hammered down for $27,000 during a sale by New Brunswick’s Eastern Auctions this June. Offered as Lot 289, the strip of 10 stamps – despite its various described faults – displayed “large margins, excellent colour and an unusually bright impression, nearly full brownish original gum showing only a hint of disturbance and a few mild hinge marks,” according to auction catalogue describer Yohann Tanguay.  Continue reading →

It’s easy to learn but difficult to master. Progressing through the local, regional, national and international waters of philatelic exhibiting requires careful skill, attention to detail and committed passion for the hobby. Beyond the local level, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out from the competition, but according to a trio of award-winning exhibitors and members of the North Toronto Stamp Club (NTSC), it’s all about perseverance. “It’s not one and done,” said NTSC Exhibition co-chair John Wilson, who was joined by fellow exhibition co-chair Jean Wang and website administrator Leon Matthys for an hour-long presentation at the recent National Postage Stamp and Coin Show. “It’s about repeated iterations.” Continue reading →

Thirty display cabinets long and three decades in the making, John Powers’ “Banknotes and Butterflies of the World” exhibition combines lepidopterology – the study of butterflies and moths – with philately and notaphily. With stunning effect, 120 countries are represented by first-day covers (FDCs) with stamps and postmarks; a complete collection of 150 uncirculated banknotes issued by the Franklin Mint from 1980-91; and a real butterfly from each respective country. The word for “butterfly” is also displayed in each country’s official language alongside other relevant information. Continue reading →

With undying enthusiasm, philatelists from across Canada made the annual pilgrimage to the nation’s capital this May for the Ottawa RA Centre Philatelic Exhibition, commonly referred to as Orapex. It was the 57th consecutive gathering since the show was founded in 1961, and this year’s two-day bourse and exhibition was nothing short of special, according to dealer Frank Hoyles, owner of Blenheim, Ont.’s C. Frank Hoyles. “This place is special; it really, really is,” said Hoyles, who has been in business for nearly 30 years. “In this hobby, this is sort of the centre of the universe for Canada. Orapex is always one of the real, true highlights of the year.” Continue reading →