Aerophilatelic mystery close to being solved

In 2008, after aerophilatelist Chris Hargreaves began researching the ‘D.w.’ handstamp, one theory suggested the marking was made by a private collector. But why would a collector cover a stamp if there was ample space on the cover?

There’s mystery in the air. Or at least that’s where it was. Now the mystery has turned to the ground, but aerophilatelists are hot on its tail, following close behind in hopes of solving what one philatelist called “a mystery worthy of a Sherlock Holmes novel.” And as Robert Timberg, Royal Philatelic Society of Canada... Continue reading →

New stamps celebrate Canadian weather, heritage, culture

Five weather phenomena, including this “sun dog” photographed by Iqaluit’s Frank Reardon, were featured on new postage stamps issued by Canada Post on June 18.

The stamps in Canada Post’s latest issue of Details capture Canada’s nature, history, peace-loving temperament, culture, art and achievements. “It’s a sampling of all that Canadian stamps have to offer, and we hope you enjoy it,” said Jim Phillips, director of stamp services at Canada Post, which revealed its third set of stamps on UNESCO... Continue reading →

B.C.’s rugged, wet coast makes for intriguing covers

Joe Montgomery, of Niagara Falls, Ont., recently shared with CSN this cover that was cancelled at a floating post office in Surge Narrows, B.C.

Joe Montgomery, a spry 92-year-old collector, recently popped by Canadian Stamp News headquarters to share with us an interesting cover. Cancelled in Surge Narrows, B.C. on June 12, 2013 by postmaster Shawny Volk, the cover was a postage-paid envelope issued by Canada Post in 2012. That year, the Crown corporation issued a set of nine... Continue reading →

RPSC eyes national shows, dedicated youth movement

George Pepall, RPSC president, said member services were strengthened and philatelic collaboration made a priority at this year’s annual general meeting.

The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) is hoping its new initiatives will bring the hobby across the country to collectors from coast to coast to coast. RPSC president George Pepall said the Royal*2015*Royale weekend was very productive. “We firmed up our member services in several ways and ran a spirited AGM (annual general meeting)... Continue reading →

The ‘very popular’ Orapex facing changes

Dr. Sam Chiu, an accredited judge of more than a decade, will be acting as chief judge and chair of the jury at Orapex this April 30-May 1.

Canada’s largest national-level accredited show is undergoing some changes, but that’s par for the course in this hobby. And after what’s being called a “tremendous success” at this year’s Orapex, event co-chair Peter MacDonald said the best is still to come. “Orapex is not at a dangerous crossroads nor is it in its dying days,”... Continue reading →

Saskatoon stamp dealer acquires three ‘very interesting’ varieties

This booklet of six stamps (Scott #2701) from the 2014 Year of the Horse issue has a profound missing colour error that omits the gold horse – a prominent part of the stamp’s design.

Three newly discovered Canadian errors have made their way out to Saskatoon. Acquired by John Jamieson, philatelic expert and owner of Saskatoon Stamp Centre, the three varieties will likely be sold some time before the end of the year. “They came out of B.C.,” said Jamieson about the errors, “and they’re very interesting.” Continue reading →

Disingenuous stamps (counterfeits, forgeries and fakes – oh my!)

Queen Victoria stamps: The genuine 1870 Queen Victoria 4.5d stamp, left, (Scott 10) was engraved, making the Queen’s image appear sharper. The forged stamp, right, is a poor lithograph version of the portrait, causing the image to appear fuzzy.

It’s considered one of the most challenging aspects of philately, and with copious amounts of forged, faked, and counterfeit material on the market today, it’s vital for collectors to understand what they’re dealing with. As usual, the first step is knowledge. Luckily for collectors, the hobby is filled with knowledgeable people who are more than... Continue reading →

Ottawa art students produce postal covers

Each of the Focus program’s 18 students produced two Valentine’s Day covers—one that was sent to the high school so the students could add it to their portfolio and another sent to a significant other.

Merivale High School is at it again. This Valentine’s Day, Canadian Stamp News received a lovely custom-made envelope – one of a series produced by Grade 11 students at Merivale High School in Ottawa. “Designing miniature works of art is a good challenge for my design students,” said Irving Osterer, the award-winning department head who... Continue reading →

Quebec dealer discovers misperf error on new Pansies souvenir sheet

An error has moved the perforations slightly to the right and up (towards the series name and description) about one-quarter of the size of the stamp itself. Four such sheets were found by a dealer.

By Jesse Robitaille A Quebec stamp dealer recently discovered dramatic perforation errors on four of Canada Post’s new Pansies souvenir sheets. The misperfs, found by Michelle Levesque, co-owner of Zimo Stamp Co., left a large blank space above the blossoms on the two se-tenant commemoratives, with “Canada,” the “P” symbol (for Permanent Postage) and the... Continue reading →

Stamp clubs offer rewarding benefits

Stamp clubs like the West Toronto Stamp Club have been providing Canadian collectors with knowledge and friendship since the early 1900s.

If you’re serious about stamps, then joining a club will allow you to get the most out of your hobby. Since 1840, when the first public postage stamps were issued in Great Britain, people around the world have been collecting stamps. The Penny Black – recognized as the world’s first public postage stamp – was... Continue reading →

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