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Canada’s Christmas Stamp Varieties: Remarkable Holiday Stamp Finds
Presentation By Arnie Janson Christmas stamps hold a special place in the hearts of collectors, offering a rich history, intricate designs, and occasional printing anomalies that make them even more fascinating. From rare misprints to special editions, each stamp tells a story. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most interesting Christmas stamp varieties,…
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Identifying 1920s United States Definitive Stamps: A Collector’s Guide to the Fourth Bureau Issue
Why the Fourth Bureau Issue Is So Complex Presentation By: Tara Stewart The Fourth Bureau Definitive Issue (often just called the “Fourth Bureau” or the “Regular Issue”) covers a series of U.S. stamps printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) from 1922 to 1930. At first glance, many of these stamps share the…
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Pre-Issue Canadian Stamps and Varieties: $5 Box Finds
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…
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Understanding French West African Stamps: A Collector’s Guide to Philatelic History and Origins
Presentation by Phil Pritchard Introduction French West Africa holds a special place in the world of philately due to its many territorial shifts and rebranding of colonies. Names like French Sudan, Upper Volta, and Dahomey have been replaced by the modern-day Mali, Burkina Faso, and Benin, respectively. As a stamp collector, it’s easy to feel…
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The Paris Commune Cover: A Rare Glimpse Into Revolutionary Postal History
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…
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Rare Stamp Finds: Tracking Professor Segno’s Global Mail Network
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…
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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…
