The Harry Sutherland Philatelic Library (HSPL) at the Toronto-based Vincent Graves Greene Philatelic Research Foundation recently announced its spring 2018 “Open Saturday” dates as well as its Wednesday extended hours.
Located at 10 Summerhill Ave. in downtown Toronto, the library is open regularly on Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can also research at the HSPL on the fourth Wednesday of most months.
In addition, the library will be open on the following Saturdays:
- April 14 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.;
- May 19 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., which coincides with Prince Harry’s wedding and will warrant a celebration at the library; and
- June 9 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., which coincides with the North Toronto Stamp Club Bourse to be held at 1585 Yonge St., just up the street from the library.
The June 9 “Open Saturday” will also coincide a visit to the library by members of the Toronto Postcard Club between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
EXTENDED HOURS
The library’s extended hours include:
- April 25 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;
- May 23 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and
- June 27 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
The HSPL is also available for use by appointment. For more information, click here.
A PHILATELIC DESTINATION
Among the library’s many claims to fame is its collection of British North American reference material, which is considered the world’s best. The library also holds a significant collection of early Canadian philatelic journals in optical character recognition (OCR) searchable format as well as a comprehensive collection of Canadian auction catalogues and historical runs of selected auction catalogues. What’s more, the library preserves research collections from important Canadian philatelists in addition to its historical collection of exhibition prospectuses.
The HSPL is arguably Canada’s top philatelic destination—and for a number of reasons, the foremost of which is its distinct nature. Nowhere else in the world can a philatelist find such a comprehensive collection of items relating to the philately of Canada and British North America.
“People are generally very pleased with what we have here,” said Librarian Sheila Moll. “It’s important because until we became intentional about collecting everything to do with Canadian philately, it wasn’t being done in Canada or anywhere else.”
“We’re really trying to preserve what will someday be unique, because nobody else is going to have as much as we do or make any effort to save these early Canadian materials,” added Moll.
To sign up for the library’s Friends of the Harry Sutherland Newsletter and receive the latest updates, email library@greenefoundation.ca or call 1-416-921-2073.
The library catalogue is also searchable via greenefoundation.ca.