When Rachel Bower first heard her good friend’s sister, Jane Sodero, speak about stamp collecting, she had no idea she was about to step into a world brimming with history, creativity and community.
Sodero, an active collector, volunteer and philatelic judge based in Nova Scotia, spoke passionately about both collecting and exhibiting stamps, but what caught Bower’s attention was something deeper: the way Sodero described the stories each stamp carried.
“As she talked I realized that she was talking about the stories that stamps tell, and I became fascinated,” Bower recalled. “Prior to this conversation I had no idea truly about stamp collecting.”
Sodero also mentioned the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada’s (RPSC) annual convention, which was taking place in 2024 in Fredericton, N.B. That sparked an idea. As a freelance documentary filmmaker with a long-standing connection to the East Coast, Bower saw an opportunity to explore a vibrant subculture through a Maritime lens. She pitched the story to CBC’s Land and Sea, proposing a segment that would follow The Stories Stamps Tell, using the Royal Convention as the central backdrop.
That idea would soon take Bower and a cameraman to the 2024 Royal in Fredericton, held last September. There, surrounded by exhibits, covers, dealers and deeply passionate collectors, Bower found not only the heart of her story – but a newfound appreciation for the hobby.
FROM SHOEBOXES
TO REAL LIFE STORIES
Before working on the segment, Bower admits her perception of stamp collecting was fairly narrow.
“I thought that people who collect stamps just collect the stamps and then put them in a shoebox to take out and look at them from time to time,” she said. But what she found at the Royal changed everything. “I now think stamp collecting is one of the most fascinating hobbies someone can pursue. A single stamp holds so much history, and the exhibits that are rooted in that history show such creativity.”
She was also struck by the strong sense of connection among collectors. “The deep friendships among stamp collectors are also beautiful,” she said. “I hadn’t realized that envelopes—or what they call covers – are just as important to collectors and can tell their own unique stories.”
One discovery that stayed with her was learning about mourning covers – envelopes marked with symbols of grief and loss. “I had no idea they existed until this show, and I can’t stop thinking about them.”
A COMMUNITY
BROUGHT TO LIFE
The show’s theme, The Stories Stamps Tell, came alive through a wide range of interviews and encounters at the convention. Bower was particularly touched by some of the personal stories shared during filming.
“Rob Lunn saving the first stamps he bought is such a sweet, lovely story,” she said. Lunn was a member of the show’s organizing committee.
Mary Pugh, one of Canada’s renowned award-winning exhibitors, is interviewed on CBC’s Land and Sea, where she shares a recent discovery from her late father’s stamp collection. The documentary airs on Sunday, April 13. (Image courtesy of CBC)
Another highlight for Bower was a moment of discovery shared by Mary Pugh, who had inherited a collection from her father. “She made a discovery in the collection that really stood out – it was special and meaningful and brought such emotion to the segment.”
She was also moved by a young collector named Felix, who had just started collecting with his grandmother. “He was willing to be interviewed and he was lovely and kind. I hope he continues to collect.”
The atmosphere at the convention also made a lasting impression. “Everyone was friendly – it was fun, open and full of life. I hope this came across in the lens.”
STAMP STORIES
ON THE BIG SCREEN
The segment, which airs Sunday, April 13, on CBC’s Land and Sea, fits squarely into the tone of the long-running documentary series, known for its focus on life in the Canadian Maritimes.
“It’s not a profile series,” Bower said. “So, this fit because of the Royal Convention – through the convention we could learn about stamp collectors and the stories they tell.”
Viewers are encouraged to check their local CBC channel listings for broadcast times. The episode will also be available on the Land and Sea website at gem.cbc.ca//land-and-sea-network.
Bower hopes viewers come away with a broader perspective: “Stamp collecting is a hobby that blends history, creativity, storytelling, communication, and community. My perspective shifted from curiosity to a deep appreciation for how something as niche as stamp collecting can open up entirely new worlds.”
She added, “The value of stamps goes far beyond money – it’s cultural and emotional, capturing moments in time and connecting people across generations.”
And for anyone who’s never given stamps a second thought, Bower offers a simple hope: “Whether you decide to collect or not, I hope next time someone sees a stamp, they see it in an entirely new way.”
As for her own habits? She’s started mailing more letters to her friends – and never passes a thrift store without checking for old envelopes.
“I am so glad I got to be a part of this important show,” she said. “And I have to thank the people who told us their stories – there were many kind people, but a huge shout out to the Fredericton & District Stamp Club.”