The PSSC membership wishes to share their passion for things philatelic by making available some of their presentations for all to enjoy. Below you will find exhibits big and small, PowerPoint presentations, Show-and-Tell pages, the occasional video and more as members submit items.

The Postal History of C-Force including the forerunner Y-Force, enroute and arrival in Hong Kong as well as detained, returned and POW mail in Hong Kong and Japan. Philatelic material and ephemera illustrate the social aspects of this chapter in Canadian military history and the Battle of Hong Kong.

By: Chiu, Sam Ph.D.

[Military Postal History]

For the stamps of a country to be collectable certain criteria must be present. Firstly, material must be available and secondly present attainable challenges. With its volume of mail, its participation in three wars, financial catastrophes and a range of political systems Poland meets these requirements.

By: Hodgson, Joshua

[Poland]

This exhibit illustrates the evolving rules as to what was allowed as a postcard and how cards that broke the rules were charged postage due by the UK Post Office. It covers from the start of postcards in the 1870s up to World War One – including the early 1900s - sometimes referred to as the “Golden Age” of postcards. International incoming, outgoing and transit usages are shown together with internal usages. It makes extensive references to the GPU/UPU rules which were initially very restrictive but under intense public pressure were gradually relaxed as private postcards were allowed and eventually in October 1907 all countries allowed messages on half the address side. The exhibit includes a wide variety of infractions of the regulations and destinations and points of origin from around the world.

By: Snelson, Kenneth

[Great Britain]

The covers in this exhibit reveal the procedures in handling letters received at a Unit and addressed to a Canadian soldier who had been killed in action. Lieutenant James William Hartley was 27 when he was killed by Allied Artillery fire on 18 July 1944. The letters took up to six months to make the journey.

By: White, Owen L. PhD

[Military Postal History]

Almost 125 years after the Maple Leaf Issue of 1897-1898 was issued, this presentation outlines new discoveries on progressive die proofs and different states on the die and plate proofs. Many items shown vary from only example to less than 5 examples known.

By: McLaughlin, David

[Canada]

A study of 85 covers from fourteen Caribbean islands posted predominantly during the 18th century. Dates range from 1698 to 1803. Most are outward mail mainly to France or London. A few examples of inter-island mail are also present. There are seven covers from Antigua from the Codrington Correspondence.

By: Stubens, Frederick Robert

[Caribbean]

This seven-frame exhibit shows the advertising or slogan cancels used by the nascent Czechoslovak Republic to provide information to citizens, promote exhibitions and fairs and raise funds for patriotic efforts. Almost 200 different slogans/advertisements were used over the eighteen year period in over one hundred-fifty offices. Advertisements/slogans exist in Czech and Slovak, and bilingual in Czech with French, German or English. Collecting philately of a country without a common language can be challenging but the research is fun and rewarding.

By: Friedenthal, Steven

[Czechoslovakia]

This display presents the cachets, postmarks, stamps and labels associated with stamp shows over the first century of organized philately in Australia. Stamp shows typically include a dealer bourse and/or a club exhibit, the two groups at the core of organized philately. Australia’s early stamp dealers became established in the 1880s. Australia’s first stamp club, The Royal Philatelic Society of Victoria, was formed in 1887. Over the subsequent 100 years, many local, regional and national stamp shows were organized. This display presents show and related event covers, special postmarks, registration and publicity labels associated with these stamp shows arranged chronologically into four sections.

By: Foot, David K.

[Australia]

In conjunction with his presentation at the January 2020 meeting of the PSSC in Toronto, Chris Ellis displayed this 16 page exhibit as collateral information. It focuses on postal history aspects of the earliest Canadian stationery cards released in Victoria’s reign that were designed to have printed private advertisements added to the address side. The postal history aspects were only briefly summarized in Chris’ actual presentation to the PSSC which focused more on “social philately” research concerning these cards (a summary of the talk was published in the PSSC newsletter for January 2020).

By: Ellis, Christopher J.

[Canada]

This is a 16-page presentation of extraordinary revenue stamps of Rhodesia, South Rhodesia and North Rhodesia. This display contains items that are rarely seen, multiples, items used on documents, shades, proofs and more.

By: Hudson, Jim

[Rhodesia]

This 8-frame exhibit was awarded a large gold medal at CANPEX 2019. It follows the development of commercial air mail services including Imperial Airways and some of its competitors from the first British long distance service, Cairo - Baghdad, to the disruption of commercial aviation by WWII. In particular it shows how the treatment of underpaid air mail between the United Kingdom and Asia, Africa, Australasia and the Americas evolved.

By: Snelson, Kenneth

[Great Britain]

A look at some of the handstamps used by this private postal system operating in Egypt prior to it being acquired by the Egyptian Government.

By: Potter, Victor G.

[Egypt]

The reason for the 1926 stamp shortage, particularly the 5 and 30-centime values, is not known. It resulted in unusual combination of available stamps on covers and culminated in issuance of Provisional Handstamps.

By: Taylor, James R. (Jim)

[Saint Pierre & Miquelon]

The prime intent of this exhibit is to highlight the range of shades that exist for this denomination, and to show them in the chronological order that they first appeared.

By: Forbes, John (Jack)

[Canada]

The presentation explains the complicated nature of currency before 1871 which is reflected in the early stamps of Canada.

By: Laurence, Hugh

[Canada]

The presentation focuses on selected usages of the 5-hole OHMS perforated officials. It illustrates postal history and selected stamps. Choice items include: Registered covers to England, a unique Bluenose block of six. Postal Stationery, earliest and latest usages, large multiples, mint items, and more.

By: Durbano, Patrick

[Canada - Official Perfins]

This presentation was given at BNAPEX 2019 on 31 August at the meeting hosted by the PSSC. Over 51,000 Canadians joined the US Civil War conflict, mostly on the Union side, but 1,500 on the Confederate side. Consequently, there are examples of covers with U.S. Civil War patriotic symbols mailed from Canada as well as the Maritime provinces who had their own postal systems during this period (1861-65). In Canadian postal history this was the period of the first decimal issue, resulting in some highly appealing frankings, as well as stampless letters which were still valid during this period. Besides showing attractive covers, Ron provides background to the conflict through maps, illustrations and chronologies.

By: Majors, Ron

[Military Postal History]

The presentation runs from 1797, when William Willcocks became the first postmaster in York, through to 1900 when the first postal station was established in Toronto. It comprises historical back ground including the 1837 rebellion, the post masters, the various post offices and branch offices using historic letters, cancellations, markings and noteworthy facts.

By: Portch, Garfield

[Canada]

The 430 page study covers the blind in society and at work as well as the services and educational institutions serving their needs. It explores prevention, treatment, research, optical aids, services including artificial eyes, guide dogs and more. Furthermore the forms of communication, the braille alphabet, methods to ease correspondence and postal concessions for the blind are examined and much more using 750 artifacts. See the table of contents.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Topical - Biology]

From the War of 1812 through to WWII Canada or Canadians have fought in 13 conflicts. The presentation examines a number of related philatelic items and their connection to Toronto.

By: Livermore, P. Charles

[Military Postal History]

The presentation deals with censored mail during WWI from and to Galicia. From 1867 Galicia was an ethnic Pole-administered autonomous crown land until its dissolution in 1918. Galicia was about a quarter the area of present day Poland covering territory in the south east.

By: Piotrowski, Jerry

[Poland]

Caneco (Canada Envelope Company) had one of the longest involvements in the Canadian first day cover field from 1954 until 1984. Some of their clients utilized Caneco cachets and information inserts modified to promote their own businesses.

By: Vogel, R. D.

[Canada]

A look at the history of stamp vending machines used in Canada.

By: Bartlet, Dave

[Canada]

The Householder rate was introduced in 1889 Postal Guide. The presentation covers the payment methods, uses both legal & illegal, rate changes, formats and ends with why to collect this area.

By: McLaughlin, David

[Canada]

A look at fluorescence, pre-cancelled, errors, usage, rates, etc.

By: McCarthy, Peter

[Canada]

In addition showing attempts to influence scores in Rarity/Difficulty of Acquisition.

By: Piercey, David FRPSC

[Thematics - Exhibiting]

A fun examination of the means, official and fanciful, used to transmit weather information and forecasts by mail.

By: Houde, Michel

[Topical - Meteorology]

The Andean landlocked country of Bolivia had poorly developed land routes with no airmail nor transportation services. Despite a difficult topography, aviation offered an opportunity to improve the communications and to unite the local and immigrant populations. Post WWI, Germany was looking beyond Europe for the re-establishment of its commerce and industry. Bolivia was promising as it was free of British and French dominations. The German immigrant population was also a serendipitous bonus!

By: Freeman, Sandy

[Bolivia]

This presentation traces the individuals and steps involved in the adoption of "0 Canada!" as the Canadian national anthem on 1 July 1980. The English followed by the French lyrics are give a personal philatelic interpretation.

By: Houde, Michel

[Topical - Anthems]

This is tariff 1 regular international airmail posted 18 June 1992, cities of Kyiv to Silver Spring Maryland USA. The cover stamps are from a group locally issued by the city of Kyiv, but nationally recognised due to the importance as the first issued overprints to be nationally sanctioned and to the Ukrainian symbolism. The franking of overprints and stationery stamp image met the total required in era 5 Karbovantsiv fee (comparable to 5 dollars).

By: Stelmacovich, Mark

[Ukraine]

The presentation chronicles the flags flown over Canada through the centuries, the unfolding of the Maple Leaf as the national symbol, the evolution of the Maple Leaf Flag and its use in Canada and overseas along with the Maple Leaf as Canadian icons.

By: Houde, Michel

[Topical - Flags]

Bayfield, Ontario is located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron. It was founded in 1832 by Carel Lodewijk Baron van Serooskerken, a Dutch nobleman and named after Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield of the Royal Navy.

By: Dziemianczuk, Wladyslaw

[Poland]

On June 19, 1957, the United States originated Operation Plowshare to investigate the peaceful use of nuclear explosives for terrestrial engineering. Dr. Edward Teller, the 'father of the hydrogen bomb' suggested the blasting of a harbour at Cape Thompson, Alaska despite there being no practical use for it. On June 9th, 1958, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) accepted his idea and it became known as “Project Chariot.”

By: Houde, Michel

[Topical - Nuclear]

From the end of WWII there has been no major conflict between the world powers. However, war has been continuous in many regional conflicts and civil wars. This exhibit shows a representative sample of mail from, or to, the UK that could not be delivered due to a variety of conflicts in a range different geographic regions.

By: Snelson, Kenneth

[Great Britain]

This is a biographical display based on stamps, covers and documents. Major Richard Pattinson was born in Canada in 1809, orphaned at age 9, raised in Scotland, chose a military career, retired to Canada, reenlisted for the Crimean War, was the Governor of Heligoland and retired to France where he passed away.

By: Houde, Michel

[Topical - Biography]

In November, 1923 mail agents were assigned to the ships of the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand operating between New Zealand and North America. Twenty-one covers display the circular date stamps of the seven Marine P.O. vessels, and examples of all the ten obliterators used.

By: Welsh, Don

[New Zealand]

In the last 150 years, various postal administrations have seen the necessity to display two currency values on their postal material. The reasons for doing this are that (1) two currencies are in use (2) to avoid confusion as to value or (3) to acquaint the public to a pending change in currency.

By: Houde, Michel

[Topical - Currencies]

This display shows covers and labels from all ten rocket mail experiments by the Queensland Air Mail Society over 1934-7. It includes complete souvenir sheets of the associated Cinderella labels. Also included in the write up are extracts from newspaper reports, contemporaneous photos and postcards, and signatures of the principal participants.

By: Foot, David K.

[Australia]

Castor Canadensis – description, habitat, effects, commerce and symbolism of the North American beaver.

By: Houde, Michel

[Topical - Animals]

The habits of Chinese speakers using the mail in Hong Kong are little understood. There were letter-writing and carriage services outside the government mails and only a portion of this great volume of correspondence ever went through a post office! In this one colony, the British had to adapt to serve their citizens in their first language.

By: Wilson, John

[Hong Kong]

A look a short paid mail in six categories including oddities.

By: Kimmerly, Ian

[British Solomon Islands]

A look at this issue the design of which is based on a statue created by the Italian sculptor Giovanni da Bologna. The stamps and their use are examined.

By: Wright, Ted

[Greece]

Paris star cancellations were obliterators used to deface the stamp on mail from Paris, France from 1852-1876. A look at some of the types and usages.

By: Nixon, Ted

[France]

A guided tour of many of the re-entries that appear in the Unitrade Specialized Catalogue of Canadian Stamps starting with the pence issues. Plus, an explanation of items mistaken for re-entries.

By: Trimble, Ralph E. FRPSC

[Topical - Re-Entries]

A mistake was made and, much to the surprise of the local postmaster, a set of taxe marks intended for an International Office of Exchange were sent to Gosport, a small coastal town near Portsmouth.

By: Snelson, Kenneth

[Great Britain]

Pre GPU Problem for Foreign Mail: Each Post Office that handled a letter had to be paid for the transmission of each letter. Many postal agreements did not require the delivering Post Office to collect postage due from the recipients and transmit it to the sending or intermediate Post Offices. What to do if the British postage is not prepaid? Return to sender

By: Snelson, Kenneth

[Great Britain]

The western third of the Island of Hispaniola was ceded by Spain to France in 1697 and named Saint Domingue. After a long fight, it declared its independence on 1 January 1804 and was renamed Haiti the first independent country in the Caribbean. The routing of 18th Century mail from 1716 onwards from 23 post offices is examined. The fifth frame displays letters related to the insurrection which led to independence.

By: Stubens, Frederick R.

[Haiti]

A look at WWI POW camps, types of mail including mail to hospitals and mail exchanged between camps. Camps in various places including Honshu Island, Isle of Man, South Africa, India, Russia and Austria.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Military Postal History ]

A fun look a scented stamps ranging from flowers, nature, food and perfume.

By: Houde, Michel

[Topical - Fragrance]

A detailed examination of the ornament separating “13” and “Cents” and of the “central heart” in the left side ornaments show characteristics that may prove the “Grinnell Missionaries” are forgeries and that a genuine Missionary stamp in Grinnell’s possession was used as a model.

By: Longley, Bill

[Hawaii]

The General (later Universal) Postal Union (1875) improved the coordination of international mail This 80-page exhibit shows the practices of the British Post Office in interpreting Union rules for underpaid mail and the Taxe marks used by the British Post Office, as required by Union regulations. The franc of the Latin Monetary Union provided a stable reference for international postal accounts including postage due indications. WWI ended this period of stability and progress.

By: Snelson, Kenneth

[Great Britain]

An examination of the Hong Kong 8 cents King George VI stamp in all its aspects and usage.

By: Nessel, Ingo

[Hong Kong]

Postal services were provided in Venice by three main methods: Ducal couriers, private messengers (including mainland coachmen), and by incoming vessels. Several routes into and from the City were also covered by postillions belonging to other states and cities. There were no postal fee markings in this period. This study covers: 1. Mails within the Venetian conurbation, 2. Mails within the Venetian Republic, 3. Mails within the Italian States, and 4. Mails to and from foreign destinations, including dominions.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Italy - Postal History]

A philatelic look at the non-verbal communication of sign language.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL Past Chairman Commission for Youth Philately, Federation International de Philatelie

[Topical - Language]

Today, we are inundated with messages by all kinds of means. One of these are newspapers which are just large letters prepaid by the recipient for the right to unfold them. It is the same process we use in handling mail. This is exactly what Marshall McLuhan said in his study of communications: The Medium Is The Message. Newspapers are the subject of those revenue collectors who study their taxation. The distribution of printed press relies heavily on the postal systems and is thus a legitimate philatelic collecting entity.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Topical - Communications]

The concept of moving mail through underground tubes was introduced in London, England by William Murdoch in 1836 for the transmission of telegrams. The presentation looks at the pneumatic post in: Berlin, Buenos Aires, Munich, Paris, Prague, Rome, USA [Boston, Chicago, New York] and Vienna.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Postal History]

This six-fame presentation focuses on the social aspect of life of prisoners of war, their families and agencies, involved in assisting them.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Military Postal History]

A presentation examining the postal facilities available to the German military during the Boxer Rebellion from 1900 to 1906.

By: White, Owen L. PhD

[Military Postal History]

Stamp collecting should not be restricted to study and research … but should also include the sheer pleasure derived from abstract thoughts and arrangements. The study of languages and cultures … could be an entry to the world of collecting and learning. This method provides hours of fun by captivating the attention of a person.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL, Chairman Commission for Youth Philately Federation International de Philatelie

[Topical - Language]

Stamp collecting should not be restricted to study and research … but should also include the sheer pleasure derived from abstract thoughts and arrangements. The study of languages and cultures … could be an entry to the world of collecting and learning. This method provides hours of fun by captivating the attention of a person.

By: Madesker,Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL, Chairman Commission for Youth Philately Federation International de Philatelie

[Topical - Language]

A study of the various postal methods of communication for the police and military forces of the Republic including cachets in lieu of postage on official mail and franks produced for the Police Force’s and Commando’s use after the War broke out on 11 October 1899.

By: Bartshe,Timothy

[South Africa]

A primer to the problematic Bangkok Bs a collecting area loved by fakers.

By: Houde, Michel

[Bangkok]

Letters from 1837 onwards are described to demonstrate how mail was carried by ships and submarines in an effort for people to communicate.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Topical - Communications]

The title reflects the common traits of all people. While we are individuals with divergent goals and aspirations, the patterns of life are both similar and interchangeable. We are all born; we live and we die; everything else is incidental. This "biographical” presentation is based on documents pertaining to life cycles and letters written by various people on matters affecting their lives. The imaginary person, or rather the composite created by the presenter, lived in the 19th century North America affected by struggles for daily existence, battling disease, subject to political upheavals and wars. The letters reflect family relationships, mores of the times and anecdotal diversions. Liberty was taken to include materials from several countries and to transgress the boundaries of the period, both to make the narrative more fluid.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Topical - Biography]

The Morse Code (alphabet) is transmitted by means of electro-magnetic or sound and light impulses. Messages are based on a system of dots, dashes and spaces. Correct usage depends on the proficiency of the operator. "Conversations" at 20 to 30 words per minute are quite common.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Topical - Communications]

JAMES RAY TEMPLETON, a Navy reservist since 1942, was transferred to Active Duty in April 194. On November 19, 1943 he was washed aboard and presumed drowned. His body was recovered after an intensive search and he was buried on Saturday, June 20, 1944.

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Topical - Biography]

This presentation highlights the introduction and development of telegraphic service in Canada starting in 1851. It covers the invention of the telegraph in the 1830s and the major telegraph companies that pioneered the service in Canada. [Part of Michael Madesker’s Non-Verbal Communications theme.]

By: Madesker, Michael MA, RDP, FRPSC, FRPSL

[Topical - Communications]

The purpose of this exhibit is to trace the development of London postage obliterators from the Maltese Cross to the relatively sophisticated machine applied Duplex cancels and the combined Date and Obliterator cancels of the final decade of the nineteenth century.

By: Anonymous PSSC member

[Great Britain]

This exhibit illustrates the 'T' marks used by the United Kingdom post office from 1875 to 1965. Most mail was taxed in London but many other Offices of Exchange taxed mail.

By: Snelson, Kenneth

[Great Britain]