Presentation by Arnie Janson 1. Introduction Stamp collectors often dream of uncovering elusive treasures hidden in everyday places. Arnie Janson’s recent presentation highlights one such phenomenon: Canadian stamps canceled before their official release date—most commonly discovered on Canadian Tire commercial covers. This post explains how these early cancellations happen, why Canadian Tire covers are so…

Presentation by Edward Grabowski The Paris Commune of 1871 was a turbulent period in French history, marked by political unrest and a brief revolutionary government in Paris. Among the many challenges faced by the Communards was the maintenance of a functional postal system amidst siege and civil conflict. One remarkable artifact from this period—a rare…

Presentation by Edward Grabowski Introduction The world of philately often intersects with history, revealing fascinating stories through the humble medium of postal covers. Over the past several weeks, I’ve come across some intriguing covers connected to Professor Victor Segno, a prominent figure in the early 20th century known for his Success Club and the American…

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.…

Philately is full of hidden gems, and one of the most intriguing stories comes from the tiny island of Reunion, a French colony in the Indian Ocean. Edward Grabowski’s presentation sheds light on a little-known postal phenomenon from the turn of the 20th century, when a shortage of regular postage stamps led to the temporary…

In a humorous and imaginative presentation, Edward Grabowski introduces us to the world of “fraudulent fraud covers” — a tongue-in-cheek exploration of AI philately. This playful approach combines historical figures, postal oddities, and the creative potential of artificial intelligence, all while emphasizing that these covers are entirely fictional. Grabowski’s satirical presentation takes us through a…

Ever wondered what happens when a letter faces disaster? From plane crashes to shipwrecks, these pieces of mail have survived extraordinary circumstances and provide a unique lens into history. In this video presentation by Arnie Janson on this intriguing topic, particularly focusing on interrupted mail in Canada. What is Interrupted Mail? Interrupted mail refers to…