Online books, articles, exhibits, and videos about BNA philately

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The Links page lists the websites of BNAPS Study Groups, BNAPS members, and BNAPS dealers. It also lists reference material, publications, philatelic societies, libraries, archives, and postal administrations that may be of interest to BNAPS members.

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Canadian Philatelic Bibliography - Cimon Morin
This online bibliography includes more than 12,600 references on stamps, postal stationery, postal history and postal markings of Canada and British North America. It contains references to documents such as monographs, brochures, specialized catalogues, auction catalogues, as well as articles published in periodicals, exhibition programs and more general works. Both English and French documents are indexed. The bibliography indexes documents published between 1864 and 2006.

Cette bibliographie en ligne réunit plus de 12 600 références bibliographiques sur les timbres, les entiers postaux, l'histoire postale et les marques postales du Canada et de l'Amérique du Nord britannique. On y retrouve des références aux documents tels que des monographies, brochures, catalogues spécialisés et catalogues de vente aux enchères, ainsi que des articles parus dans les périodiques, les catalogues d'expositions et les ouvrages plus généraux. Les documents de langue français et anglais sont répertoriés. Cette bibliographie indexe les documents publiés entre 1864 et 2006.

Horace Harrison Library search engine - P. Charles Livermore
The Horace Harrison Library (HHL) consists of the online editions of BNA Topics and several tools to facilitate browsing and searching through the issues. One of these tools, the HHL search engine, indexes BNA Topics as well as Maple Leaves, the journal of the Canadian Philatelic Society of Great Britain, and the PHSC Journal, the journal of the Postal History Society of Canada. Using the HHL search engine, viewers can search all the articles in all three journals using as criteria the title, author, subject keywords, abstract, and year of publication.

Philately

Canadian Philately - An Outline - John Burnett, Gray Scrimgeour, and Victor Willson
Survey of collecting interests of BNA philatelists, including stamps, postal history, and collateral material of Canada and the provinces.

Canada ● Stamps

Canadian Stamps with Perforated Initials, 6th edition, with 01 August 2023 updates - BNAPS Perfin Study Group
The Perfin Handbook lists the origin and use of all known perfins on Canadian stamps. The 1 August 2023 edition is available. Newly updated sections are identified by the date 2023 08 01. Individual sections as well as compressed and uncompressed editions of the complete handbook with the most recent edition of each section are available for downloading.

Timbres canadiens avec initiales perforées, 5e édition, mise à jour le 1 aout 2023 - BNAPS Perfin Study Group
L'origine et l'utilisation des timbres perforés et une liste de tous ceux connus parmi les timbres canadiens. Les sections mises à jour le plus récemment sont identifiées par la date : 2023 08 01.

Canada ● Postal Stationery

Addenda to Webb's Postal Stationery Catalogue of Canada & Newfoundland, 8th Edition, 2019 - Canada Premium Products (html) - Earle L. Covert
The 500-page Webb Catalogue, 8th Edition, is available only in a print edition published by Unitrade Associates. The addenda to the Catalogue consist of an additional 150 pages that have been separated from the main catalogue, and are available as a set of freely-downloadable PDF files. The addenda list Canada Premium Products, which include the following:

Registered Prepaid Envelopes
Priority Post and Priority Courier Envelopes
Private Order Priority Post Certified Mail
Regular Special Letter Envelopes
Private Order Special Letters and Official Special Letter Envelopes

Lettermail Selfmailers
Request For Additional Delivery
Prepaid Flat Rate Boxes
Xpresspost of all types
Prepaid Parcel Labels

Canada ● Postal History

The Canadian Posted Letter Guide for Letters Mailed in the 1851 - 1902 Period, 2nd edition (html) - Victor L. Willson and Charles G. Firby
Pricing guide to BNA covers between 1851 and 1902.

Squared Circle Postmarks of Canada, December 2023 update to the 6th edition published in January 2020 (html) - Prepared by the BNAPS Squared Circle Study Group. Edited by Rick Friesen.
The Handbook is organized according to hammer type and province. In over 680 pages, it provides an exhaustive treatment of each hammer: period of use, time marks, indicia information, stamp issues on which the hammer is found, rarity factors, and illustrations of hammer usage. Section 1 of the Handbook provides an introduction to these fascinating postmarks.

The December 2023 update replaces all the sections of the October 2022 update to the Handbook.

Railway Post Office (RPO) Postmarks of Canada on the 1898 Canadian 2¢ Imperial Penny Postage Issue (The ‘Map Stamp’): A Cover Census and a Roster of Off-Cover Cancellations (5.5 MB pdf) - Rick Friesen
Lists Map stamp covers postmarked with RPO hammer strikes. About 250 covers are listed. The listing for each cover includes an illustration (if an image is available), RPO cancel identification, origin (if known), destination, and provenance. The census also updates the 1987 Lew Ludlow roster of RPO cancellations on off-cover Map stamps.

Barred Circle Postmarks of Canada on the 1898 Canadian 2¢ Imperial Penny Postage Issue (The ‘Map Stamp’): A Cover Census (1.8 MB pdf) - Rick Friesen
This is a census of Map Stamp covers with Barred Circle postmarks, often referred to as precursors of Squared Circle postmarks. The hammers, introduced in 1892, were issued to nine towns in Canada (Halifax, Hamilton, London, Montreal, Ottawa, St. John, Seaforth, Toronto, and Winnipeg) and St. John’s, Newfoundland. The census currently documents 72 covers with Montreal strikes and one with a St. John’s, Newfoundland, strike.

Squared Circle Postmarks of Canada on the 1898 Canadian 2¢ Imperial Penny Postage Issue (The ‘Map Stamp’): A Census of Off-Cover Cancellations (6.8 MB pdf) - Rick Friesen
This census of 3,461 postmarks on off-cover Map stamps is compiled from numerous sources. They include over 58 years of public auction listings, three Internet auction sources (such as eBay), philatelic literature (including books and journals), exhibits, dealer stocks, personal communications from Squared Circle collectors, and the author's collection.

Squared Circle Postmarks of Canada on the 1898 Canadian 2¢ Imperial Penny Postage Issue (The ‘Map Stamp’): A Cover Census and Analysis (18.1 MB pdf) - Rick Friesen
Lists over 1,100 covers franked with the 1898 2¢ Map Stamp and postmarked with Squared Circle hammer strikes. If an image is available, the cover is illustrated. The previous census, compiled in 2001, listed 620 covers. The data for this census comes from auction catalogues dating back to 1960, Internet auctions such as eBay, philatelic literature, exhibits, dealer stocks, personal communications from fellow collectors, and the author's collection.

Census of 8¢ Small Queen Covers with Squared Circle Postmarks (8.4 MB PDF) - Rick Friesen
This census is a compilation of covers franked with the 8¢ Small Queen issue of 1893, postmarked with Squared Circle hammer strikes. The 8¢ Small Queen was issued in August 1893. Its primary use was to pay the first class mail rate (3¢) plus registration (5¢). The census is organized according to hammer type, with the Type 2 hammers ordered by province/RPO as in the Squared Circle Postmarks of Canada handbook. The September 2024 initial release of the census lists 489 covers from 184 different hammers.

Timothy Eaton Company: Philatelic Notes (13.4 MB - pdf) - Clayton Rubec
The Timothy Eaton Company was in operation for 138 years, from 1861 to 1999. During its heyday, it had department stores in over 100 cities and a highly developed mail order business. This monograph explores the company's use of postage stamps, perfins, precancels, postal stationery, postage meter machines, mailing permits, bulk mail, and revenue stamps.

Newfoundland ● Postal History

Post Offices of Pre-Confederation Newfoundland (html) - Carl Munden. Formatting and editing: Malcolm Back and John M. Walsh.
Traces the history of Newfoundland's outport post offices. The listing for each post office includes its location by bay and map reference, population, opening and closing, postmasters and general information, and illustrations of the various markings used. There are also sections describing the mail distribution to and from the outports and the types of town date stamps used. 479 pages.

Cinderella stamps

100 Years of Union Dues Stamps in Canada and Newfoundland, 1880 to 1980 (12.3 MB pdf) - Clayton Rubec and Ron Lafrenière
Describes, lists, and illustrates the stamps issued by unions in Canada and Newfoundland for the payment of dues by union members. Includes international unions based in the U.S. with locals in Canada and Newfoundland. 152 pages.

Philately

Library and Archives Canada Private Philatelic Fonds/Collections and Accruals (html)
Lists recent fonds/collections and accruals available for consultation at Library and Archives Canada (LAC). The list was provided by James Bone, Archivist, LAC. Also describes how to conduct online searches of the private fonds at LAC, and how to request material for on-site consultation.

Philately at LAC / La philatélie à BAC (2.5 MB pdf) - James Bone, Archivist, Archives Branch, Library and Archives Canada
Describes the philatelic and postal history collections at Library and Archives Canada (LAC), the access and research tools LAC offers to the philatelic community, and how to cite LAC items in documents and articles. Provides links to Canadian Postal Archives research material such as the database of post offices and postmasters. This presentation was given at BNAPEX 2018 Québec.

Kasimir Bileski — 14 September 1908 to 19 January 2005 (html) - John Jamieson
Memorial to one of Canada's foremost stamp dealers.

Philatelic Literature is the Heart of the Hobby (html) - Michael O. Nolan
Describes the benefits of having a philatelic library, and recommends some additions to it.

Stamp Books for a Weekend Read (html) - Clayton Rubec
Books with philately in mind.

Philately ● Exhibiting

Exhibit Synopsis Template (0.1 MB pdf)
Suggested synopsis outline for BNAPEX exhibits.

BNAPS Judging Guidelines for Juries and Exhibitors (0.1 MB pdf)
Judging guidelines that apply specifically to BNAPEX exhibits.

Canada ● Stamps

The Goebel Press Era of Canadian Stamps (html) - Ken Sargent with Leopold Beaudet
History, stamp production, and the people behind the BABN Goebel press used to print Canadian stamps between 1968 and 1989.

Proofs — The Printers’ Finest Work (html) - John Jamieson
Discusses die and plate proofs and how they enhance a collection.

Constant Plate Flaws on Elizabethan Stamps (6.8 MB PDF) - Leopold Beaudet
During the Elizabethan period, 1953 to 2022, Canadian stamps were printed by several different methods: engraving, lithography, photogravure, and combinations thereof. This presentation describes the types of flaws produced by each printing method. During the 70-year Elizabethan period, printing methods underwent major changes. The presentation looks at how the evolution of the printing processes affected the types of flaws.

The presentation was given to the Dutch Society for USA and Canada Philately (USCA) in December 2023 and to the BNAPS Elizabethan II Study Group at ORAPEX in May 2024.

Paper Expansion & Shrinkage Affects Perfins and Perforations (html) - John Jamieson
Soaking stamps can affect the perforations. What to do about it?

The Canadian Stamp Perforation Change of 1962 (5.2 MB pdf) - Julian J. Goldberg
A small but measurable change in the gauge of the perforations on Canadian postage stamps appeared in 1962. At the time, Canadian Bank Note Co. printed all of Canada's postage stamps, and perforated them with a line perforator. This article discusses the perf change and illustrates all the stamps known to exist with the two perforations.

Fake Double Perf Coils Uncovered (html) - John Jamieson and Leopold Beaudet
Describes fake extra perf "varieties" on coils and sheet stamps, and how to detect them.

Canada’s Most “Superb” Stamp (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
The title says it all.

Canada ● Stamps ● 1851 Pence Issue

Canadian Varieties: Pence Issue (5.0 MB pdf) - Arnie Janson
This presentation describes re-entries, plate flaws, and paper varieties on three stamps of the 1851 Pence Issue: 1/2d Queen Victoria, 3d Beaver, and 10d Jacques Cartier. It also discusses a 6d Prince Albert with fake perforations and a 1/2d Queen Victoria with the scarce four-ring #48 cancel.

Canada’s ½d Plate Varieties (12.4 MB pdf) - Michael D. Smith
Re-entries and plate flaws with clear illustrations taken from the plate proof. References the plate of 120 for the imperforate stamp and the cut-down plate of 100 for the perforated stamp. Presented at the Re-entries and Constant Plate Varieties Study Group meeting at BNAPEX 2018 Quebec.

Three Pence Beaver Selected Re-entries and Plate Varieties (2.9 MB pdf) - Michael D. Smith
Description, including plate position, of selected re-entries and plate flaws with detailed illustrations to aid identification. Presented at the Re-entries and Constant Plate Varieties Study Group meeting at BNAPEX 2015 Niagara Falls.

Analysis of Paper Thickness on 3d Beavers (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
Results of measuring 125 1852-1857 3d Beaver stamps on wove paper in the Saskatoon Stamp Centre inventory between 1987 and 1999.

Canada ● Stamps ● 1859 First Cents Issue

Whitworth’s Plate Flaws on the One Cent Decimal Issue (6.5 MB pdf) - Michael D. Smith
Close-up illustrations from an early plate proof and issued stamps with detailed annotation of plate flaws reported by Geoffrey Whitworth in the 1960s. Version 2, revised in Jan. 2020.

1859 5 Cents Beaver Plate Flaws (html) - Pence-Cents Era Study Group
According to Geoffrey Whitworth, one plate of 100 subjects was prepared for the 1859 5 Cents Beaver stamp. The plate was reworked ten times, and thus exists in 11 states. This article displays images of the plate flaws, and provides easy navigation to any stamp position and plate state.

This article is the result of an ongoing project by the Pence-Cents Era Study Group, led by Jim Jung, to compile an online, searchable database of all the plate flaws on the 1859 5 Cents Beaver stamp and illustrate them with actual stamps. As examples of flaws become available, they will be added to the database. The August 2021 release contains 200 stamp images.

Canada's Five Cents Beaver Plate Proofs with Various Plate Flaws (13.0 MB pdf) - Michael D. Smith
Illustrates plate flaws found on the 1859 Five Cents Beaver stamp. The flaws are on plate proofs from states 1, 4, and 10/11 of the plate.

Canada ● Stamps ● 1868 Large Queen Issue

2¢ Large Queen, Laid Paper, Sold on 28 January 1998 (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
Behind the scenes story of the sale of Canada's rarest stamp.

Updated Story of the 2¢ Large Queen on Laid Paper (html) - Leopold Beaudet
Provenance of the three known copies of Canada's rarest stamp.

Canada ● Stamps ● 1870 Small Queen Issue

BABN Co. and the Small Queens Moved from Ottawa to Montréal in October 1871 (html) - Christopher D. Ryan
Points out that the British American Bank Note Company moved its production facilities from Ottawa to Montréal in October 1871. Refutes the commonly held belief that the move occurred in 1873.

Canada ● Stamps ● 1911 Admiral Issue

Guide to the Admiral Stamps of Canada (html) - Randall W. Van Someren
Dies, printing, paper, straight edges, coils, fakes, forgeries, varieties, cancellations, rates, and bibliography.

The Admirals after Marler (12.2 MB pdf) - Leopold Beaudet
Describes discoveries made after Marler's 1982 book, The Admiral Issue of Canada, was published. Topics covered include plates, lathework, pyramid lines, booklets, re-entries and retouches, design types, plate flaws, and fluorescent ink.

Canada ● Stamps ● 1930 Arch Issue

1930-1933 Arch Issue & Commemoratives Collection (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
Illustrates die essays, die proofs, and major varieties of the 1930 Arch Issue and other stamps from the same period.

Canada ● Stamps ● Elizabethan definitives

1953 $1 Totem Production File (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
Illustrates die essays, die proofs, and other pre-production material for the 1953 $1.00 Totem Pole definitive.

Die Proofs of the 50¢ Textile Issue of 1953 (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
Illustrates progressive die proofs in several colours of the 1953 50¢ Textile definitive.

Missing Colour on the 1983 32¢ Maple Leaf Definitive (html) - Leopold Beaudet
Story behind the discovery of the "Winter Leaf" missing colour error on the 1983 32¢ Maple Leaf definitive.

Spotted 45¢ Flag, a.k.a. “Snowstorm Variety” (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
The “Snowstorm Variety” on the 1995 45¢ Flag definitive isn't really a variety.

Faked 1995 45¢ Flag Definitive (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
The 1995 45¢ Flag definitive with the blue colour doubled turns out to be not such an attractive variety.

Canada Post Announces Smaller Dimensions for the Current Canadian 45¢ Flag Definitive (html) - Charles J. G. Verge
Discusses the decision by Canada Post to reduce the size of the 1995 45¢ Flag definitive and all the collectables it produced.

$2 Truro Provincial Normal School Inverted Inscriptions (html) - John Jamieson
Background behind the discovery of the 1995 $2.00 Truro Provincial Normal School definitive with inverted inscriptions.

Modern Flower Coil Definitives (20 MB pdf) - Jim Watt
Also available as a PowerPoint presentation (39 MB)
Printing and die cut varieties on the coils issued between December 2004 and December 2007.

Canada ● Stamps ● Commemoratives

The 1917 3¢ Confederation Commemorative (1.8 MB pdf) - Leopold Beaudet
Based on a study of the 1917 3¢ Confederation stamp by Richard M. Morris. Presentation made at the Admiral Study Group meeting at BNAPEX 2008 Halifax.

St. Lawrence Seaway Invert Errors (html) - John Jamieson
History and illustrated list of 1959 5¢ St. Lawrence Seaway invert errors on cover and on piece.

The Many Faces of Canada 1977 Christmas 12¢ (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
Illustration of printing, perforation, and tagging varieties on the 1977 Christmas 12¢ stamp.

Canada’s Most Amazing Error (html) - James E. Kloetzel
Re-evaluation of the errors resulting from a major corner fold on the 1982 Christmas 30¢ stamp.

The 1994 Christmas Varieties (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
The 1994 Christmas stamp denominations were 43¢, 50¢, and 88¢. So, why do 52¢ and 90¢ stamps exist?

Self-Adhesive Greeting Booklets (1994-1997) (html) - Robin Harris
Detailed review of the 1994-1997 self-adhesive Greeting booklets, the stickers that went with them, their usage, and the printing errors.

Canada ● Stamps ● Perfins

The History of Canada’s OHMS Official Perforated Postage Stamps 1939-1949 (18.6 MB PDF) - J. D. Graham
This article provides a detailed account of the adoption of stamps perforated OHMS by Federal Government departments beginning in 1939, their use over a ten-year period, the regulations surrounding their use, and their eventual replacement by stamps overprinted OHMS. Illustrations include OHMS perfins on and off cover during their period of use and a Cummins Model 53 perforating machine such as the one used to create the OHMS perfins. This fascinating history draws on primary reference sources, the files from the Post Office Department Financial Branch held by Library and Archives Canada.

Canada ● Stamps ● First Day Covers

Errors, Freaks and Oddities on Canada Post Official First Day Covers (3.1 MB pdf) - Andrew Chung
OFDC EFOs: on the cachet, on the cancellation, and on the stamp or stamps. Presentation made to the BNAPS Golden Horseshoe Regional Group and to the Philatelic Specialists Society of Canada.

Canada ● Postal Stationery

Addendum and Update to the Section of Webb’s Postal Stationery Catalogue of Canada and Newfoundland 2019 for Canadian Postage-Prepaid Postcard Factory® Cards (6.7 MB pdf) - Robert Lemire
This addendum to Webb’s Postal Stationery Catalogue contains corrections and additions to the listing of postage-prepaid Postcard Factory® cards, primarily for cards prepared using dies IIIc and IIId (pages 238-259 of the catalogue). It is anticipated that the addendum will be updated as new material is reported. This addendum update was compiled on 16 Jan. 2023 and posted to the website on 3 April 2023.

Canada ● Priority Courier and Xpresspost

Non-prepaid Priority Courier and Xpresspost Envelopes - Earle L. Covert
Detailed list of non-prepaid Priority Courier and Xpresspost envelopes. The list also includes Purolator envelopes that mention Canada Post.

Canada ● Permit Mail

Illustrated Permits (html) - Earle L. Covert
Listing of illustrated indicia for permit mail with an image of each one. The indicia date from 2006 when Canada Post introduced the feature. The listing also includes forerunners, indicia with illustrations that appeared before 2006. The listing reflects the explosion in the number of illustrated indicia since 2014 as bulk mailers adopted the concept.

15 March 2023 update: this update adds 76 new bulk mailers and 859 new permit mail indicia to the 15 February 2022 listing.

Canada ● Revenue

An Introduction to Canadian Revenue Stamps (html) - Christopher D. Ryan. Also available as a pdf file (5.7 MB).
Describes the many different types of Canadian Revenue stamps, both federal and provincial, and their usage.

Federal and Quebec Revenues: A (very) brief overview (4.6 MB pdf) - Dave Schurman
Illustrates revenue stamps and their use on documents. Issued by Canada: Canadian Law and Bill stamps. Issued by Quebec: Law, Registration, Insurance, Prohibition, Unemployment, Licence, and Stock Transfer Tax stamps.

Canada’s Provisional War Tax Revenue Stamps (revised Nov. 2018) (html) - Christopher D. Ryan
Describes the events behind the issue of the Admiral 5¢, 20¢, and 50¢ stamps overprinted War Tax and Inland Revenue War Tax. Includes the 5¢ reprint from plates 9 and 10. Notes that the stamps were ordered and issued by the Inland Revenue Dept., not the Post Office.

Canada’s Inland Revenue and Postal War Tax Stamps did not Finance its War Expenditures during the First World War (html) - Christopher D. Ryan.
What purpose did the Admiral War Tax stamps actually serve?

A Scarce Example of the War Exchange Tax on Periodical Publications - Christopher D. Ryan
1942 mailing label from the U.S. with three Canadian revenue stamps.

Revisions and New Listings for Catalogue of Canadian Hunting and Fishing Revenue Stamps - April 2021 (1.0 MB pdf) - Clayton Rubec and Dale Stover
Part One of this document provides revisions and corrections to the BNAPS book Catalogue of Canadian Hunting and Fishing Revenue Stamps published in 2015. Part Two provides listings of new material released from 2016 to 2021 or noted since the book was released.

A New Listing of Alberta Hunting, Resource Development and WISE Foundation Revenue Stamps,and Stampless Licence, Authorization and Special Quota Licence Stamps and Cards 1964 to 1997, Version 2, Jan. 2014 (2.1 MB pdf) - Clayton Rubec and Dale Stover
Revised listing with new catalogue numbers corrects descriptive errors in previous listings, flags non-existent stamps, and adds newly discovered ones.

Canada's National Park Motor Vehicle Licences, 1923 to 2015, Version 3, Aug. 2015 (4.0 MB pdf) - Clayton Rubec
Motor vehicle card licences, metal licence plate toppers, metal radiator badges, self-adhesive decals, rearview mirror shields, and paper receipts issued by Parks Canada.

City of Winnipeg Wildlife Conservation (html) - Saskatoon Stamp Centre
Unusual perforation varieties plus fluorescent paper varieties exist on the City of Winnipeg Wildlife Conservation stamp.

Canada ● Postal History

A BNA Cover Challenge
Complex BNA covers are shown and described.

Crashes, Fires, and War Interrupted the Mail (html) - John Burnett
Illustrates examples of interrupted mail due to airplane crashes, fires, and war, and the markings applied to such mail.

Paquebot Covers: Mailed on the High Seas (html) - John Burnett
Describes paquebot mail and some of the postal markings found on paquebot covers.

An Extraordinary Canadian Cover - Norris (Bob) Dyer and Leopold Beaudet
The story of the controversial 1851 New Carlisle "Postmaster's Provisional Envelope".

Re-enactment of Western Canada's First Airmail Flight by Katherine Stinson (html) - Robert K. Lane
Commemorative covers marking the 9 July 1918 flight and photos of the re-enactment.

Canada Pence Issue 1851 – 1859 Cover Census, January 2022 revision (html) - Wayne Smith
Census of over 4,500 Pence Issue covers. The census is presented in two ways:
1) By stamp/paper variety – lists the number of covers known for each rate paid by the stamp.
2) By rate – lists the number of covers known for each way to pay the rate.

1859 Cents Issue Used on Cover after April 1, 1868 (html) - Wayne Smith
Census of covers with 1859 Cents Issue stamps mailed after April 1, 1868, when the Large Queens were issued. The census is broken down by domestic mail and registered domestic mail and by foreign destination (U.S., Great Britain, and other destinations). Latest update: May 2022.

Census of Large Queen Covers by Rates, End of 2023 update (html) - Wayne Smith
Census of 1868 Large Queen covers, over 8,000 of them, sorted by postal rate and destination. Domestic mail: over 5,000 covers. Foreign mail to Newfoundland and PEI: almost 100 covers. To the United States: over 1,500 covers. To Great Britain: over 1,000 covers. To other foreign destinations (broken down by country): over 250 covers. 175 covers were added since the end-of-2021 update.

Census of Large Queen Covers by Rates, End of 2021 update (html) - Wayne Smith
Census of 1868 Large Queen covers, almost 8,000 of them, sorted by postal rate and destination. Domestic mail: over 5,000 covers. Foreign mail to Newfoundland and PEI: 88 covers. To the United States: over 1,500 covers. To Great Britain: over 1,000 covers. To other foreign destinations (broken down by country): almost 250 covers. The end-of-2021 update added 103 covers.

Canada Four Ring Numeral Cancel Census (html) - Wayne Smith
This census catalogues four-ring numeral cancels found both on and off cover. It lists the number of cancels by the numeral in the cancel and by the stamp issue it occurs on (Pence, Cents, Large Queen, Small Queen) as well as stampless covers. For each numeral, the earliest and latest recorded dates are given. Latest update: May 2022.

Early Use of Two-ring Numeral Cancels on the Large Queen Issue (html) - Wayne Smith
Listing of the earliest recorded use of each of the 60 two-ring numeral cancels. The first strikes appeared in March 1869 during the Large Queen period. The latest update, May 2022, has two new earliest dates.

Some Early Postal History of Brandon, Manitoba (html) - Robert K. Lane
Illustrates the important role the mail played in the early days of settlement in the Brandon area, dating from when the post office was established on 1 August 1881.

An Alberta and a Saskatchewan Cover - Gray Scrimgeour
Two covers from the territorial period of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Calgary Covers - Calgary Regional Group
Reflections of Calgary's history and postal history.

Now That Was Service - Pete Jacobi
Story of a cover mailed 1.5 years after the recipient had moved.

Canada ● Postal History ● Military Mail

Canadian National Vimy Memorial (html) - Mike Street
Unveiling the Memorial on 26 July 1936 at the site of the battle of Vimy Ridge.

The 1936 'Vimy Ridge' Issue (html) - Mick Bister
The issue and usage of stamps and postal stationery from France to commemorate the unveiling of the Vimy Memorial.

First Special Service Force 1942 – 1944 (html) - Ken Ellison
Story of the joint USA-Canada First Special Service Force (also known as the "Black Devils") formed in 1942 during WW II and disbanded in December 1944. The story is told through covers from its Canadian members showing usage from all points where the F.S.S.F. served.

British Columbia ● Postal History

British Columbia Numeral Grid Cancel Census, January 2024 update (html) - Wayne Smith
Census of numeral grid cancels, on and off cover, used by the colonies of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. 36 grid cancelling devices were issued to the colonies in 1860. The census lists 407 covers and 2,981 off-cover cancels. 9 covers and 208 cancels were added since the initial census release in September 2020. One the 9 covers added is the only one reported with grid 34.

New Brunswick ● Postal history

New Brunswick Numeral Grid Cancel Census, January 2024 update (html) - Wayne Smith and Charles Verge
The census describes 1,066 known covers with New Brunswick numeral grid cancels. It also lists 2,367 known off-cover cancels. The document includes information about New Brunswick stamps and postal rates when the grid cancels were in use and the origin and use of the hammers. 73 new covers and 243 off-cover cancels were added since the initial census release in April 2021.

Newfoundland

Newfoundland ABN Plate Proofs of the 1897 Royal Family and 1908 2¢ Map Stamps (html) - John M. Walsh, from the collection of Ed Wener
Slides of the ABN proofs acquired by Ed Wener, and the results of his studies.

Newfoundland 1897 Provisional Surcharge on Cover - Norris (Bob) Dyer
Cover with 1¢ 1897 provisional surcharge with rare sans serif font overprint.

Perkins Bacon & Company Their Trade Samples and Other Mysteries (2.9 MB PDF) - Clarence A. Stillions, based on a slide program prepared by Robert H. Pratt. The original Pratt slides are owned by the Collectors Club of Chicago.
Explores the Pratt collection of trade samples produced by Perkins Bacon from 1902 to about 1930 with particular emphasis on those that reproduce Newfoundland stamp designs.

Philately ● Newfoundland

5 Fr	Newfoundland Stamp Dealers Terrance R. Harris
This exhibit reveals Newfoundland's philatelic history through its stamp dealers from the 1800s to 1949. It won Silver at BNAPEX+2008+NOVAPEX, Halifax, NS, 29-31 August.

Canada ● Stamps

1 Fr	1 Cent Yellow Large Queen Stamp of Canada - 1869 Victor L. Willson
The exhibit shows the philately of the 1 cent yellow stamp issued in 1869. This stamp was a replacement colour for the original 1 cent stamp issued in brown in 1868. Confusion between the 1 cent and 3 cent stamps, red but with many shade variations, led to the colour change. The exhibit discusses the plate proofs, plate varieties, paper, shades, cancellations, and postal usage.

3 Fr	Canada: Three Cent Small Queen, Printing Classes - The First Ottawa Period - 1870 to 1873 Raymond J. Dubeau (email)
This exhibit illustrates and describes the 3 cent Small Queen colour variation, paper type and perforations during the period 1870 to 1873 known as the “First Ottawa” printing period. An emphasis is placed on colours and shades related to a given printing class. The exhibit won a Gold medal at BNAPEX 2015 Niagara Falls, ON. See also "Canada: Three Cent Small Queen, Printing Classes - The Montreal Period - 1873 To 1888" by the same exhibitor.

2 Fr	Canada: Three Cent Small Queen, Printing Classes - The Montreal Period - 1873 To 1888 Raymond J. Dubeau (email)
This exhibit illustrates and describes the 3 cent Small Queen colour variation, paper type, and perforations during the period 1873 to 1888 known as the "Montreal" printing period. An emphasis is placed on colours and shades related to a given printing class. The exhibit won a Silver medal at BNAPEX 2021 Virtual. See also "Canada: Three Cent Small Queen, Printing Classes - The First Ottawa Period - 1870 to 1873" by the same exhibitor.

1 Fr	The Chemistry of the War Time Admiral Richard Judge (email)
This exhibit studies the ink used for the 1911 Admiral 2¢ carmine stamp using reflectance, X-ray fluorescence, and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy. Discusses aniline ink and shade varieties. The exhibit won Vermeil and the Ed and Mickey Richardson Award at BNAPEX 2018, Quebec City, QC.

7 Fr	The Centennial Booklets of Canada 1967 - 1973 Joel Weiner (email)
This exhibit focuses on the booklets of the 1967 Centennial definitives. 18 distinct booklet types were produced. The Canadian Bank Note Co.(CBN) produced the first booklets, but lost the contract in 1968 to the British American Bank Note Co. (BABN). BABN introduced many innovations including first se-tenant bi- and tricolor booklets. The complexity of the Centennial stamps extends to the booklets. There are numerous printing, paper, perforation, gum, and tagging varieties. A previous version of this exhibit was shown at BNAPEX 2012 Calgary where it received a Vermeil. This version, a complete re-organization of the last, was shown at BNAPEX 2017 Calgary where it won a Gold, the John D. Arn White Queen Award, and the APS Medal of Excellence (1940-1980).

4 Fr	My Favourite Elizabethan Varieties Leopold Beaudet (email)
This exhibit shows Elizabethan varieties chosen because of their distinctiveness and/or their revealing insights about stamp production. The exhibit marked the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It was shown in the Court of Honour at ORAPEX 2012 in Ottawa, ON, and BNAPEX 2012 CALTAPEX in Calgary, AB.

Canada ● Revenue

7 Fr	Canadian Law Stamps Edward Zaluski (email)
The exhibit displays Law Stamps from 1765 to 1970: embossed "AMERICA", Lower and Upper Canada, and post-Confederation stamps and usage. This exhibit was awarded a Vermeil at BNAPEX 2001, Ottawa, ON, 31 Aug. - 2 Sept. Edward Zaluski is the author of a seven-volume reference on Canadian Revenue stamps that was released on CD between 2010 and 2013

Canada ● Postal History

8 Fr	Postal History and Usages of the Canada Post Card 1871-1928 Victor L. Willson
This exhibit shows the evolution of the post card in Canada from its introduction in 1871 to 1928. The exhibit is organized into two sections: 1) 1871-1878: pre-Universal Postal Union (pre-UPU) period (1 frame) 2) 1878-1928: UPU period (7 frames) The UPU period is organized by destination/continent. A time-line approach is followed in each frame, illustrating the development of rates, regulations for production, and auxiliary services by periods that conform approximately to the Victorian, Edwardian, and George V reigns. The exhibit stops in 1928 to coincide with the Admiral issue and an approximate 50 years of UPU.

4 Fr	Sovereignty, Substances, Small Centres and Subs: Closed Post Offices of the Northwest Territories Kevin O'Reilly (email)
The exhibit shows all the closed post offices in the Northwest Territories as defined by the boundary set from 1912 to 1999. Post offices operated by Canada, the U.S. and Great Britain are shown. It is divided into four parts: 1) Sovereignty - RCMP detachments, weather stations, military bases. 2) Substances - Mining company towns. 3) Small Centres - Small communities in remote locations. 4) Subs - Special post offices. This exhibit was shown at Royale 2011 Royal in Dorval, QC, and the Edmonton Spring Show 2011. A fourth frame was added to include U.S. and U.K. military post offices. It was then shown at the Edmonton Spring Show 2013 and BNAPEX 2013 in Charlottetown, PE. It won Gold at each show.

1 Fr	19th Century Brandon Post Office Postmarks Robert K. Lane
Brandon, Manitoba, was one of the greatest benefactors of the construction of the CPR west from Winnipeg. From a small settlement, dependent on other towns for postal service, it was transformed over-night to a railway divisional point with post office, land titles office and a thriving commercial and cultural centre. This exhibit illustrates examples of the postal marks used at Brandon. The period is from the 19th Century. This period includes the first several marks used at the main post office. This exhibit received: 1) Silver at the 2003 Edmonton Spring National 2) Vermeil at the 2004 Winnipeg Stamp Club Show 3) Vermeil at CALTAPEX 2005 The exhibit was updated between shows.

1 Fr	Canadian Mail Sent via the Empire Air Mail Scheme 1938 - 1939 Gary W. Steele (email)
The exhibit shows Canadian first class letters and post cards mailed and transported via the Empire Air Mail Scheme (EAMS). The use of air mail to carry all first-class mail from Great Britain to certain Empire countries was inaugurated by Great Britain on 29 June 1937. The service extended to South Africa. On 23 February 1938, the second stage was implemented. The EAMS service was extended to Canadian mail per the notice in the Canadian postal guide supplement dated 5 February. In the third stage, the service was extended to Australia and New Zealand. Additional destinations were admitted at various times. The exhibit won Vermeil and the Canadian Aerophilatelic Society’s Best Airmail Exhibit award at BNAPEX 2023 Halifax.

Canada ● Postal History ● Dead Letter Office

5 Fr	Ottawa Dead Letter Office Handstamps 1872 to 1950 Gary W. Steele (email)
The Dead Letter Office processed mail matter that could not be forwarded to its final destination. This included domestic mail, mail from foreign countries, and mail to foreign countries that was returned because of insufficient forwarding information. This exhibit shows the evolution of the handstamps - small and large circular, oval, and rectangular - used by the Ottawa Dead Letter Office from 1872 to 1950. The exhibit was shown at ORAPEX 2013, Ottawa, ON, where it won Gold and the BNAPS Best Researched BNA Exhibit. It was also shown at BNAPEX 2016, Fredericton, NB, where it won Gold and the Ed and Mickey Richardson Award.

1 Fr	Ottawa Dead Letter Office Handstamps 1872 to 1898 Decentralization Gary W. Steele (email)
With Confederation in 1867, a new Post Office Department was created, but Dead Letter Office (DLO) handstamps were not produced until the early 1870s. Initially, only one office was set up. It was in Ottawa. On 1 July 1898, the DLO was decentralized. Branches were opened across Canada. This exhibit shows the evolution of Ottawa Dead Letter Office (DLO) handstamps from 1872 up to the decentralization on 1 July 1898. The exhibit won a Large Gold and the One-frame Grand at ORAPEX 2024.

1 Fr	Canadian Dead Letter Office Reorganization Handstamps Gary W. Steele (email)
The exhibit shows the new style rectangle Dead Letter Office handstamps due to a major Post Office reorganization in 1948. Onward, all mail directed to several Dead Letter Offices were to be sent only to Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver depending upon the point of origin and destination. Mail containing valuables that could not be redirected and mail suspected of being illegal or of a fraudulent nature would be forwarded to the Dead Letter Office in Ottawa. The exhibit won a Large Vermeil at CANPEX 22 in Toronto, 9-12 June.

1 Fr	Dead Letter Office Wax Seals & Boxed Registration Handstamps Gary W. Steele (email)
This exhibit studies the Dead Letter Office (DLO) Wax Seals and Boxed Registration handstamps used only on registered Canadian DLO return envelopes. The exhibit includes several previously unknown, unreported, earliest and latest reported dates. The exhibit won Gold at BNAPEX 2015, Niagara Falls, ON.

1 Fr	The Victoria Post Office and Undeliverable Mail 1874 - 1925 Brian C. Plain (email)
This exhibit shows the handling of undelivered mail by the Victoria post office from 1874 to the discontinuance of the service in the mid-1920s. A variety of posted items, date stamps and regulatory markings illustrate the activity of this office. The exhibit won Vermeil at BNAPEX 2012, Calgary, AB.

Canada ● Postal History ● Railway Post Office

1 Fr	RPOs On The Mysterious Estevan Line Robert K. Lane
In 1889, the CPR began construction of a line that left the CPR main line at Kemnay, a few miles west of Brandon. By 1892, the line was completed southward to Estevan but mail was carried on this line even while it was under construction. Six RPO series, comprising 13 hammers, were issued. The RPOs reveal the progress of construction but present some interesting twists.

1 Fr	The WEST OF WINNIPEG RPO Hammers Robert K. Lane
When Canada’s first transcontinental railway, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was completed in 1885, it marked a major step in the evolution of mail transport in western Canada. Even while the CPR was still being constructed in western Canada, railway post office (RPO) services were almost immediately made available. The first RPO postmarks used on the CPR main line in western Canada were the WEST OF WINNIPEGs.

3 Fr	Railway Post Offices Postmarks Used in Southern Manitoba Robert K. Lane
In 1881, the Post Office began operating Railway Post Office (RPO) cars in Manitoba. In all, until the early 1970s, 48 different RPOs and 116 hammers were used in the region south of the Canadian Pacific Railway main line in Manitoba. This exhibit provides examples of all 48 listings, within the context of their historical development. Basic data for all 116 hammers is also included.

Canada ● Postal History ● Military Mail

1 Fr	Epic of Vimy - A Canadian Pilgrimage Don Hedger
Explores the voyage of some 6,000 Canadian veterans to participate in the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge monument in France on 26 July 1936.

Canada ● Illustrated Mail

3 Fr	A Postal History of Imperial Oil Atlantic Perspective Brainard Fitzgerald (email)
This exhibit traces the formation and growth of Imperial Oil during its first 100 years, from 1880 to 1980, with an Atlantic Canada perspective. It does so using Imperial Oil advertising covers, postcards, and other related postal material. The exhibit won a Vermeil at ORAPEX 2012 in Ottawa and a Silver at BNAPEX 2013 in Charlottetown, PEI.

Newfoundland ● Stamps

5 Fr	Newfoundland Plate Numbers 1897-1947 John M. Walsh (email)
This exhibit is a comprehensive study of Newfoundland postage stamps whose printing plates have a plate number engraved on the outer edge of the plate. It contains discoveries resulting from the exhibitor's original research. The exhibit won Gold at BNAPEX 2000 Shaumburg, IL.

5 Fr	Newfoundland Royal Family 1897-1901 Jean-Claude Michaud (email)
The Royal Family Issue of 1897-1901 consisted of eight stamps, including two colour changes. This exhibit shows the evolution of the stamps and their usage. It is organized in six sections: 1) die proofs, 2) plate proofs, 3) specimen overprints, 4) issued stamps including single usages, 5) multiple/mixed usages, and 6) E. R. Krippner Patriotic covers. The exhibit was displayed at BNAPEX 2023 Halifax where it won Gold.

1 Fr	Edward and Alexandra Norris (Bob) Dyer
In 1897 and 1898, Newfoundland issued stamps honoring Albert Edward (Later Edward VII) and Alexandra when they were Prince and Princess of Wales This exhibit displays these two stamps. It includes proofs, specimens, and examples of the final stamps both on and off cover, along with some history of the royal couple.

1 Fr	The 1¢ Newfoundland "Heap of Cod" Stamp 1932-1949 Anthony Thompson (email)
The exhibit examines the Newfoundland 1932-1949 1¢ Heap of Cod definitive. It looks at the dies, printers, plates, watermarks, perforation, and usage. This exhibit won Gold and the Grand award for the BNAPS best one-frame exhibit at NOVAPEX 2010, Dartmouth, NS, 24-26 September. It was exhibited in the Champion of Champions category at APS AmeriStamp Expo 2011, Charleston, SC, February 11-13, where it received a Prix d'Honneur award.

1 Fr	Blitz Stamps of Newfoundland Clarence A. Stillions (email)
A small subgroup of the last Industrial Issue of Newfoundland, the 2¢, 3¢, 4¢, and 5¢, are known used prior to their first recorded printing by Waterlow & Sons in February 1942. These are known as the Blitz Stamps and examples of all are shown. Except for the 5¢ Caribou, they can only be distinguished from subsequent Waterlow printings by dated examples or from dated covers. This exhibit won a Vermeil at BNAPS 2013 in Charlottetown, PEI.

Newfoundland ● Stamps ● Perfins

8 Fr	Perforated Initials & Insignia on Stamps of Newfoundland Barry Senior
The exhibit shows the use of perforated initials and insignia (perfins) by companies based in Newfoundland and perfins on Newfoundland stamps by companies from outside Newfoundland. Includes many discovery items. It also examines the use of perforation devices to cancel Newfoundland revenue stamps and the use of SPECIMEN perfins by stamp printing companies. This exhibit was shown at NOVAPEX 2012, a National level exhibit in Halifax, NS, where it won Gold.

Newfoundland ● Postage Meters

3 Fr	Newfoundland Postage Meters 1928-1949 Robin J. Moore
Displays a study of the four types of postage meters used by Newfoundland businesses before Confederation on 1 April 1949. Includes information on, and photos of, the meter machines with their denomination values and rates. Displays an imprint of every known meter number in use. The exhibit was shown four times: 1) Royal 2019 Royale, Mississauga, ON, where it won Gold and the BNAPS Best BNA 2 to 4 Frame Exhibit 2) BNAPEX 2018 Quebec City, QC, where it won Gold 3) Royale 2017 Royal, Boucherville, QC, where it won Gold and the PSSC Specialization Award 4) BNAPEX 2016 Fredericton, NB, where it won Gold

Newfoundland ● Revenue

4 Fr	Newfoundland Fiscal Stamps and Usages Terrance R. Harris
This exhibit shows the stamps issued by Newfoundland for the purpose of collecting fees and taxes. Also shown is proper usage as intended by law. The exhibit shows Inland Revenue, War/National Savings, Customs Duty, Beer Excise Duty, Transportation Tax, Money Order Tax, and Tobacco Tax. Also shown are regular postage stamps used for revenue collection. This exhibit won Gold at ORAPEX 2009, Ottawa, ON, 2-3 May. Note: the second PDF file illustrates revenue stamps affixed to packages as opposed to documents.

Newfoundland ● Postal History

1 Fr	The Oval Duplexes of Newfoundland and Their Look-alike Carl. F. Munden
The exhibit shows the 12 known (as of 2013) Newfoundland oval duplex cancels, and describes research regarding same, including four unlisted towns. They were issued between 1898 and 1901. The exhibit won Silver-Bronze at BNAPS 2013 in Charlottetown.

5 Fr	Newfoundland: 1840-1949 Postal Markings Issued to St. John's General Post Office and Sub Post Offices Robin J. Moore
This exhibit displays the known postal markings pertaining to St. John's, Newfoundland. The markings are broken down into 17 classifications. The exhibit includes 16 markings not reported in the philatelic literature. It displays about 50 items of which less than 10 are known to exist. The reason there are so many is that the volume of mail in St. John's was quite low in relation to other larger centres, with an average population of only 32,000 people for this period. Much of St. John's postal history was destroyed during two great city fires in the late 1800s. The exhibit won Gold and the PHSC Postal Markings Award at the 2018 PHSC Symposium in Hamilton, ON. It won Silver at the London 2022 International.

Nova Scotia ● Postal History

1 Fr	Cross-Border Mail via the Cunard Line: Mail Between the United States and Nova Scotia, 1840-1867 David F. D'Alessandris
The exhibit traces the evolution of Cunard Line operations between Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the United States. During the 28-year existence of this mail route, there were many changes, including rate reforms and the introduction of postage stamps in both the United States and Nova Scotia, the execution of a postal treaty between the United States and Great Britain, Nova Scotia’s conversion to decimal currency, and the confederation of Nova Scotia with other provinces to form the Dominion of Canada. The exhibit won Gold at BALPEX 2006 and Prix d’Honneur (single frame championship class) at AmeriStamp EXPO 2007.

Prince Edward Island ● Postal History

5 Fr	Internal Mail of Prince Edward Island Michael Salmon
The exhibit explores the internal mail of Prince Edward Island from 1790 to 1873. For many years there was only one post office on Prince Edward Island and that was in the capital, Charlottetown. In November 1827 a courier system was started with the creation of about 10 other post offices where mail could be collected and deposited. There were three courier routes, Western, Eastern and Southern. Over the years the number of post offices grew and the frequency of deliveries and collections increased from weekly in summer, fortnightly in winter, to daily to some of the more populous centres. When Prince Edward Island entered Confederation on July 1 1873 there were 168 post offices but still, essentially, three postal courier routes.

1 Fr	Internal Mails and Postage Rates of Pre-Confederation Prince Edward Island Robert Lunn
The exhibit looks at the internal mails and associated postage rates of pre-Confederation Prince Edward Island, beginning with very early mail. The exhibit won Gold at BNAPEX 2013 Charlottetown. It won Gold, the One-Frame Grand, and the BNAPS Best BNA One-frame Exhibit at ORAPEX 2014 in Ottawa.

Canada ● Stamps

Finding Images for Marler ... and Beyond (html) - William G. Burden
Provides detailed images (over 2,000 of them as of October 2021) of re-entries, retouches, and other plate flaws on Admiral stamps. Accompanying each image is a description (taken from Marler for re-entries and retouches described by Marler) and, where known, the plate position and Marler design type. All the text fields are searchable. If you have discovered a constant plate variety on an Admiral stamp and are curious about whether it has been reported previously or you want to plate it, here is a great resource.

Canada's Picture Postage^TM (html) - Darlene Burt
Website devoted to Canada's Picture Postage^TM stamps. Has many illustrations going back to when the stamps were first issued. Includes Greetings stamps dating back to 1994 and the 2003 Alaska Cruise stamps. Also includes Canada Post Commemorative Envelopes and Picture Postage^TM first day covers.

Canada ● Postal History

The Canadian Advanced Posting Service 1926-1949 - P. Charles Livermore
Christmas cards posted early in December would receive special cancels and be delivered just before Christmas.

Thanks for the Smokes - P. Charles Livermore
Canada - World War II overseas tobacco distribution scheme.

Evolution of Air Mail - Toronto, Canada - From Biplane to Jet - Neil Hunter
Posted on the Canadian Aerophilatelic Society website.

Toronto Postal History - P. Charles Livermore

Peterborough's Transorma Sorting Marks - P. Charles Livermore
High tech mail sorting machine installed in Peterborough, ON, in 1955.

Newfoundland ● Stamps

Slides of the Robert H. Pratt Newfoundland collection - Robert H. Pratt.
The 4,000 plus slides of the Pratt Newfoundland collection owned by the Collectors Club of Chicago and digitized by BNAPS were assembled by subject matter and stamp issue into approximately 30 pdf files by John M. Walsh with assistance from Andrew L. Winter. Besides Newfoundland, there are two files of Canadian material covering the early issues and revenue stamps.