Category Archives: Top Story

In what’s described by auctioneers as “immaculate condition with impeccable and illustrious provenance,” a mint 12-penny black issued by the Province of Canada in 1851 will cross the block in New Brunswick this February. To be offered by Eastern Auctions, the 168-year-old imperforate stamp on handmade laid paper is “a truly remarkable example of this keenly sought-after classic stamp,” said auctioneer Gary Lyon. Aside from its “unusually choice” condition, part of this stamp’s appeal is its provenance, which is the theme of this second 360-lot offering of the Highlands Collection. “Condition-wise, it’s one of the best examples available,” said Lyon, who’s the owner of the Bathurst, N.B.-based auction house. Continue reading →

Several Canadian exhibitors, including three literature entries, received noteworthy honours at the Thailand 2018 world stamp exhibition late last year. Specifically, in the adult multi-frame category, Canadian representatives were “very satisfied” with the country’s performance, said David McLaughlin, chair of The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada’s (RPSC) international liaison. Of the five Canadian multi-frame exhibits, two were first-time entries to a Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) show. Altogether, there were two gold winners; one large vermeil winner; one vermeil winner; and another large silver winner. “The two golds were strong golds with 93 points each, and one of our new exhibits won a large vermeil the first time out, making it eligible for expansion to eight frames in future exhibitions,” said McLaughlin, who served as Canada’s national commissioner for Thailand 2018. Continue reading →

Dubbed by auctioneers as “the best Small Queen cover” in existence, Lot 887 of the Nov. 8-10 sale by Eastern Auctions realized $28,000. A registered cover, it was mailed to Tonsberg, Norway, in July 1875 and includes a se-tenant pair as well as a single 10-cent pale milky rose lilac Small Queen from the Montreal printings. Paying the correct rate to Norway, the stamps and the postal markings offer outstanding eye-appeal, according to auction cataloguer Yohann Tanguay. “I am not one bit surprised knowing the importance and status of this great cover among seasoned Small Queen collectors,” said Tanguay. “If my knowledge serves me right, this has now become the most valuable cover franked solely with Small Queen stamps.” Continue reading →

The Canpex organizing committee has issued a challenge to clubs across Canada for what will be the fourth gathering since the show was reinvented in 2016. Dubbed the “National Stamp Club Challenge,” the new nationwide initiative will be held in conjunction with Canpex 2019, which is slated for next Oct. 19-20. “This fun event provides an opportunity for club members to become more involved in our great hobby,” said Canpex co-chair John Sheffield. “I know there are a lot of club members who have never exhibited, and this is their opportunity to put their little toe in the water.” Continue reading →

The first “real reform” of Great Britain’s postal system came in December 1839, when the uniform four-penny post was implemented. The short-lived change, which was in effect for only 36 days – from Dec. 5 until Jan. 9, 1840 – saw the end of rates calculated by distance. Instead, postage was now charged based on weight – four pence for pre-paid letters up to half an ounce – and there was no penalty for multiple sheets. What’s more, for mail with rates already less than four pence, the existing lower rates applied. Before the uniform four-penny post was implemented, the Select Committee, of which Sir Rowland Hill was a member, did an “amazing investigation of the number of letters mailed,” said Tom Slemons, a U.S.-based director of the Great Britain Collectors Club. Continue reading →

What’s widely regarded by experts as the greatest, most important Small Queen cover is expected to bring $25,000 during a general sale hosted by New Brunswick’s Eastern Auctions this November. Offered as Lot 887 of the Nov. 9-10 sale, this “phenomenal” registered cover was mailed to Tonsberg, Norway, in July 1875. It includes a se-tenant pair along with a single 10-cent pale milky rose lilac Small Queen from the Montreal printings. The single is tied by a “superb” straight-line “REGISTERED” hand stamp, and the pair is tied by three strikes of a Halifax split-ring dispatch circular date stamp (CDS). The cover also displays an oval registered “7 AU 75” London transit stamp in red as well as red crayon accountancy marks. Continue reading →

Great Britain’s postal reforms in the second half of the 1830s – just before the beginning of the postage stamp era – allowed communication to flourish while transforming the empire into a mobile society. These reforms were the subject of a June 22 presentation by Tom Slemons, a U.S.-based director of the Great Britain Collectors Club and a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society London. Continue reading →

One of the rarest mint pieces in all of British North America philately, an “outstanding” imperforate example of the 1865 Vancouver Island five-cent rose stamp (Scott #3), is expected to bring $125,000 at auction this November. Described by auctioneers as “a handsome and peerless example with impeccable provenance,” the stamp comes from the famed Gerald Wellburn Collection. It will be offered by New Brunswick’s Eastern Auctions in the first part of the Highlands Collection of British North America on Nov. 8. Continue reading →

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 →