What’s the colour shade of that stamp? Victoria Stamp Club member Jack Penfold has published an “Article of Distinction” in the journal of the American Philatelic Society. It explains the steps he uses to analyze postage stamp colours, one of the trickiest elements of philatelic study. “How many times have you gone to look up […]
Steps Toward Quantifying the Colours & Shades of Postage Stamps Read More »
Bex Morley, a graphic artist from Maple Bay, was selected to create the annual Christmas stamp for Canada Post this year. In an interview with the Victoria Times-Colonist, Morley said she wanted the design to convey a feeling of Christmas nostalgia and innocence. You can read more about her and her work here. The stamp
Maple Bay Artist Creates 2025 Christmas Stamp Read More »
by Igor Krasnov “Stamps on stamps” — issues that depict postal related subjects — form one of the most charming and self-aware themes in modern philately. They appeal because they are both miniature history lessons and playful visual puzzles: the stamp becomes its own subject. This was the December 2025 topic for the “Show and
by Igor Krasnov From Gagarin’s smile to launch pads and antennas, Soviet stamps framed the cosmos as a human stage. But where are the stars, comets, and galaxies? This essay looks at what the Soviet view of space left out and why. I started my “space” stamp collection with a very popular theme: Soviet space.
Space Without Space: The Soviet Cosmos in Philately Read More »
This article by Gray Scrimgeour and Ian Kimmerley describes mailed items from an extensive correspondence (1937–1942) involving Henry Porter, a trans-Pacific cable repair worker based in Victoria, British Columbia. Most of the correspondence is between Porter while he was travelling and his family in Victoria. There also are some cable-work related covers. Most of Porter’s
Cable Repair in the Pacific: 1937–1942 Read More »
This presentation by Gray Scrimgeour focuses on the postal history of the James Bay area of Victoria, BC. As the earliest place of European settlement and the seat of the government in Vancouver Island, the colonial leaders lived here. Mail to and from many of these people is shown and the area’s history is described.
Postal History of James Bay Read More »
This presentation by Gray Scrimgeour describes the development of the postal systems in British Columbia’s Nicola and Similkameen Valleys from the gold rush days to present times. Many examples of covers are shown, along with maps and photographs of the routes and methods.
Postal Development In the Nicola and Similkameen Valleys Read More »
This presentation by Neil Donen explains the history of the Prisoner of War system of mails from Russian Siberia during World War One. Huge numbers of German and Austro-Hungarian prisoners were interned in Siberia and many examples of POW mail between the prisoner and his family are shown. The role of several Red Cross agencies
German POWs in Siberia During WWI Read More »
This presentation by Gray Scrimgeour explains the history of the Mount Tolmie post office, which first opened in 1892 in what was then a rural area of Victoria. Using covers and illustrations, he explains the early postmasters and locations of the post office over time. Also shown are covers sent to and from other post
History of the Mount Tolmie Post Office Read More »
During the Second World War, supplying Britain with new aircraft built in North America was a significant logistical challenge for the Allies. This presentation explains the development of the RAF Ferry Command which eventually flew these aircraft to where they were needed. Not long after its formation, a semi-formal system of using these ferried aircraft
RAF Ferry Command Mail Read More »
