This weekend, from Friday to Sunday, the Fredericton & District Stamp Club (FDSC) will host the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) Convention in New Brunswick’s capital. Marking Fredericton’s first Royal Convention in 25 years, the event promises to be a major gathering for collectors from across the country and beyond.
Originally scheduled for 2020 but cancelled due to COVID-19, the 2024 convention will more than make up for lost time, with local collectors eager to welcome attendees to the Sept. 20-22 event.
“We’re thrilled to finally host the Royal,” says Rob Lunn, convention chair and long-time FDSC member. “For many local collectors, this will be their first opportunity to experience a show of this scale. They’ll also have a chance to connect with prominent dealers and potentially fill those elusive gaps in their collections.”
Known for its famed down-east hospitality, the Fredericton show will welcome not only collectors but also the general public. “We hope everyone, collectors and non-collectors alike, will feel the warmth of our hospitality,” says Lunn. “The convention is an incredible opportunity to meet fellow collectors and see some rare philatelic material, including impressive Atlantic Canada items.”
Exhibits, dealers, and presentations
The event will feature a competitive exhibition showcasing award-winning collections, with a strong focus on Atlantic Canadian material. The bourse will offer a wide range of philatelic items, from affordable finds to high-end rarities.
“We’ve already received applications for exhibits that have won national and international accolades,” Lunn notes. “This will be a rare chance to see outstanding material, including collections from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland.”
In addition to the exhibition and dealer tables, there will be several philatelic presentations, including a talk by New Brunswick-based stamp designer Jocelyne Saulnier, who will discuss her recent work for Canada Post. Saulnier will also be available to sign covers at the show.
Other speakers include Garfield Portch, head of the Vincent Graves Greene Philatelic Research Foundation, who will present on the recent surge of Chinese forgeries of Canadian stamps seen on auction sites. Several philatelic societies, including the British North America Philatelic Society’s Atlantic group, will also host meetings during the convention.
With a full weekend of events planned, collectors and enthusiasts are invited to join the fun starting this Friday. Registration and more details are available on the Royal 2024 website at rpscroyal.com.