Know your hinges from your hoards? This stamp dictionary, a first in 50 years, will help!
By Jesse Robitaille
Trajan Publishing will release its long-awaited Illustrated Philatelic Dictionary at the company’s spring National Postage Stamp & Coin Show in Mississauga this weekend.
Author Ian Robertson will be on hand to autograph copies of the book during the show on Saturday, April 5, beginning at 1 p.m. Collectors attending the event will have the opportunity to meet the longtime philatelic writer and discuss the inspiration behind the dictionary.
The April 5–6 show will see the company release the nearly 100-page full-colour dictionary. With increased interest in philately among a new generation of collectors, as well as the ongoing dedication of long-time hobbyists and dealers, the dictionary “provides a vital resource,” according to Trajan Publishing owner Mike Walsh, who’s also the editor of Canadian Stamp News.
“This project is important because philately has evolved significantly over the past five decades, and there’s a real need for a current, comprehensive reference that reflects both historical terms and modern developments in the hobby,” said Walsh.
“It offers clear definitions, context and cross-references that will help collectors at all levels better understand the terminology they encounter, whether in catalogues, exhibits, auctions, or club discussions. We believe it will become an essential tool for learning and reference, supporting education and deeper engagement within the philatelic community.”
Robertson, a long-time CSN contributor, writes in the book’s foreword about the hundreds of references he considered including along with other “more obscure terms and some from long ago.”
“I added numerous Canadian details, historical context, plus terms, expanding the project into a reference glossary,” said Robertson, who added sources of information, illustrations and help varied, “providing guidance as a basis for my references – all rewritten, some condensed, and some expanded.”
Author Ian S. Robertson will be available to sign copies of The Illustrated Philatelic Dictionary on Saturday, April 5, during the National Postage Stamp & Coin Show in Mississauga.
Walsh approached Robertson in 2021 to produce a dictionary, and Robertson began by reading several dictionaries in his personal library plus others available online.
“I checked common and unusual terms, composing text based on my memory and interpretations – at least double checking, of course – and rewriting chosen items in a style I felt comfortable with using.”
While many terms in previously published dictionaries remain in use, Robertson considered “quite a few to be now less known or limited to other countries.”
“It was important to include modern references, including a few fun ones,” he said, adding his favourite fun term, “toilet paper,” refers to toilet paper used for Austrian stamps after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 “based on people hoarding toilet paper in case supplies became unavailable.”
“I included items of general usage and interest which I came to know over more than 60 years of stamp collecting and as of this month 38 years of writing columns and occasional news stories for Canadian Stamp News.”
Since becoming a collector and related writer many decades ago, Robertson has read hobby-related papers, magazines and books while gaining knowledge from friends, collectors, dealers, fellow club and philatelic society members and at exhibitions, talks and other events.
“Some selected terms have special interests here and around the world. A few items were included with words that a reader could find elsewhere in the dictionary, with expanded references,” said Robertson, who in addition to text provided “scores of scanned stamps and postal history, for consideration beside text, as related illustrations.”
He submitted the dictionary’s first draft in November 2021 after reviews by “two well-informed collectors,” Robertson said.
“Both suggested some changes and additions which were very much worthwhile.”
More recently, Robertson has added different terms, made updates involving references to people who have since died – plus a philatelic magazine that ceased publication – and sourced artwork.
“I consulted often with Mike Walsh and editor Hans Niedermair, who edited my draft, and with creative designer Jim Szeplaki, in his case especially to ask about space available for additional text and artwork, plus some terms I decided to change for various reasons. I also consulted occasionally with one of my reviewers, and he made several good additional suggestions.”
Robertson’s final recommendations were submitted to Trajan in February, and the dictionary is now ready to launch at the company’s upcoming show in Mississauga.
“As mentioned in my foreword, the last Canadian stamp dictionary I know of was published more than 50 years ago. It and others produced elsewhere are mostly out of print and are rarely available now,” said Robertson, who added Trajan’s new publication “should be welcomed and useful for a wide range of collectors.”
Packed with vibrant visuals, the dictionary’s illustrations bring philatelic terms to life—helping collectors of all levels better understand the language of stamp collecting.
Walsh said after years of preparation, it’s “incredibly rewarding to see the finished product.”
“Ian Robertson brought both deep knowledge and passion to the project, and we at Trajan Publishing are proud to help bring his work to a wider audience. Knowing that this resource will serve collectors, researchers, and dealers for years to come makes all the effort worthwhile.”
Walsh also thanked Szeplaki and Niedermair, Trajan’s “talented designer” and “knowledgeable editor,” respectively, “for the incredible work they contributed to this book.”
“Their creative talents and attention to detail were instrumental in bringing this project to life. We’re especially proud that this is a truly made-in-Canada book – written, edited, designed, and printed entirely in Canada.”
Trajan’s Illustrated Philatelic Dictionary, which retails for only $30, is now available at coinstampsupplies.com or by calling 1-800-408-0352.