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Postage stamps and philately of Canada
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Understanding Canadian (small sized) definitive stamp series
Though I've been keeping a somewhat low profile lately (life happening; still is), I have managed to find some time for stamps every now and then. My re-housing project with Canadian stamps has slowly but surely now reached late 1970s, and though there are still half-a-century's worth of stamps awaiting to be worked, I have already discovered an interesting, but less talked (at least on this side of the big pond) perspective on Canadian definitive stamps.
...(615 words,3 images, 3 comments)
Canadian 1983 World University Games postage stamp - perforation variant or something else
Now here's an interesting Canadian stamp specimen of which I don't know what to think of. According to all major stamp catalogs (Unitrade included) these 1983 World University Games stamps should be easy and straightforward to collect: two values (32 and 64c), no variants (besides gum side printed sheet EFO). The stamps should have perf 13½ and gereral tagging on two opposite edges (aka GT2). What I've got breaks the pattern.
...(290 words,2 images, 8 comments)
Stamp misidentification made easy - a case of Canadian 50c Prairie Town Main Street stamp
I'm quite sure most worldwide stamp collectors are familiar with the 1978 Canadian 50c prairie town main street stamp. Despite being a somewhat modern issue, it is a classic example why most stamp collections contain at least some misidentified stamps (despite us owners/collectors claiming otherwise). Here is my story how I made a identification mistake, and how I found out about it over two decades later.
...(787 words,3 images, 9 comments)
A review of Unitrade Specialized Catalogue Of Canadian Stamps
One of the highlights of my summer was when I received a copy of Unitrade Specialized Catalogue of Canadian stamps as a gift (thanks Mark, thanks Franz ^^). I know that readers from US and Canada are likely familiar with the name of Unitrade, but for rest of us the name does not ring much bell. So what does Unitrade stamp catalogue look like, and how does it stand up when in comparison to regular worldwide stamp catalogues (like Michel or Scott)?
...(894 words,3 images, 14 comments)
Security features of Canadian high value mammal definitive postage stamps
Recently I received a copy of the $10 Canadian whale definitive stamp on my incoming mail. It was gigantic size beauty, and as result of receiving such item, I decided to write and share this article on these fascinating Canadian stamps. The high value wildlife mammals definitive stamp series was started in 1997, and it's going on strongly with new additions coming out every few years. These make a very attractive display as they all feature a stunning design, and every stamp contain several more or less hidden security features to seek out.
...(684 words,12 images, 10 comments)
A story of a dinosaur stamp
Here's an interesting dinosaur stamp from Canada. It's a 43c Massospondylus from the 1993 series of prehistoric animals. Whilst looking at the postmark on the item, I though I had found yet another freak to my "stranger in strange land" collection of stamps canceled in wrong countries. But I was way off.
...(136 words,1 images, 5 comments)
A case of bad luck
Last week I received a stamp catalogue I had ordered from Canada before christmas (yes, the delivery took 50 days as it was mailed by surface to cut costs). Anyway, everything seems to have gone pretty smooth until the parcel landed on Finnish postage system.
...(345 words,7 images, 14 comments)
International Year of Astronomy m/s from Canada
I hate to say this, but it seems I have another sequel to "I hate when postal service ruins a philatelic item"[part 1, part 2] saga. This time Tristan from Canada sent me a cover with corgeous International Year of Astronomy miniature sheet on top - and quess what Canada Post did?
...(145 words,2 images, 4 comments)
Canadian Save the Polars and Glaciers miniature sheet
This could very well be a sequal to "I hate when postal service ruins a beautiful item" post I made week ago. Sadly most of the items on this nice cover have escaped the postmark.
...(176 words,3 images, 4 comments)
Q&A: stamps of Canada
Do you have a question about stamps / philately of Canada and states? Your questions answered.
...( 38 comments).
Article categories
- Generally speaking about stamps, philately and collecting
- Learn the basics of stamp collecting - advice on how to get started
- How to preserve and build a stamp collection
- Philatelic knowledge base
- Stamp forgeries, philatelic fakes and other counterfeits
- Stamp collecting software (inventory programs and databases, online stamp catalogs etc)
- Straight talk about stamp values (both catalog and real world)
- Back of book stamps and other unusual stamp-like items
- EFO-stamps: errors, freaks and oddities on postage stamps
- Q & A - Ask anything about stamps and collecting
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