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Canada’s Money Letters: Precursors to Registered Mail
Presentation by Arnie Janson Before the advent of registered mail, sending valuable items like currency or important documents through the postal system was fraught with risk. In Canada, a unique solution emerged in the early 19th century: the use of money letters. These special letters were marked and handled differently to ensure their safe delivery.…
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Greek Philately During WWII: A Study of Occupation, Resistance, and Liberation Stamps
World War II left its mark on nearly every aspect of life in Europe, and Greece was no exception. For philatelists, Greek WWII stamps tell a unique story of national pride, resistance, and eventual liberation. This article explores how stamps from the Greek-Italian War, the Axis occupation, and the post-occupation resistance periods reflect a turbulent…
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The 1966 World Cup: A Tale of Stamps, Theft, and Triumph
Introduction The 1966 FIFA World Cup holds a special place in football history. Hosted by England, it was a tournament filled with memorable moments, unexpected twists, and a story that transcended the pitch. Beyond the matches, the event was celebrated worldwide through philately, with numerous countries issuing commemorative stamps. This blog post explores the fascinating…
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Commemorating the Union – Greece’s 1939 Ionian Islands Stamp Set
In 1939, Greece issued a remarkable set of stamps to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Ionian Islands’ unification with Greece. These stamps not only celebrate the islands’ incorporation into Greece but also pay homage to the history, culture, and unique identity of the Ionian Islands themselves. In this postscript to his previous presentation, Allan…
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Understanding the Inconsistencies in the Scott Catalog: A Technical Analysis by Phil Pritchard
The world of philately is intricate, with layers of complexity that both fascinate and frustrate collectors. One such complexity lies in the use of major and minor catalog numbers within the Scott Catalog, a cornerstone reference for stamp enthusiasts. Phil Pritchard, a dedicated completist collector, delves into this issue, highlighting the challenges and inconsistencies that…
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The Mystery of the “Frankenstein” Cover: A Lesson in Philatelic Fraud
Collecting rare covers offers the thrill of uncovering stories from history, but sometimes those stories come with hidden twists. In this blog post, we explore a lesson from philatelist Edward Grabowski, who recently shared a surprising case of philatelic fraud from his New Caledonia Group Type collection. This tale of a cleverly crafted “Frankenstein” cover…
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The Story Behind the 1959 U.S. Oil Centenary Commemorative Stamp: Honoring the Birth of the Modern Oil Industry
n 1959, the U.S. Postal Service released a unique commemorative stamp to celebrate the centennial of the American oil industry. Designed with a stark, modern drilling rig, this stamp commemorated the centenary of the first successful oil well drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania, by Edwin Drake in 1859. Known as the Drake Well, this site marked…
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Exploring Pressure Sensitive Labels from US Post Offices (1977-1984) on Great Britain Covers
Duncan Barber recently delivered an enlightening presentation on a lesser-known aspect of philately: pressure-sensitive package labels, or as he clarifies, “peel-and-stick” stickers, that the United States Post Office used on Great Britain (GB) covers between 1977 and 1984. Barber’s deep dive into this fascinating postal detail opens new doors for philatelists who may have overlooked…
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Italy’s First Post-WWII Airmail Stamps: History and Design
Italy’s philatelic history is rich with both artistry and significance, and its first airmail stamp issue after World War II is no exception. Released in October 1945, this post-war set of airmail stamps reflects a transitional period in both the country’s history and its postal system. In a recent presentation, Roger Mooney offered insights into…
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Postmark Identification with the Postmark Reveal: A Philatelic Tool
Introduction In a recent presentation, Tara Stewart introduced the Postmark Reveal tool, a free online service that helps philatelists decipher hard-to-read postmarks. The tool was brought to the philatelic community’s attention by Edward Grabowski and has quickly gained popularity due to its simplicity and effectiveness. Tara provided a live demonstration, illustrating how this tool can…
