Sharing Research Information about Stamp Collecting
by Peter Newroth
During a panel discussion about the “Future of Stamp Collecting” at Victoria Stamp Club meeting, January 16, 2026, I commented on ways collectors may share information. I was asked where printed stamp collecting information and publications could be acquired? Here is my short review with a few examples.
Before the digital age of home computers, the internet and Google search, there were many commercial stamp magazines, printed books and philatelic societies (with their own journals). Stamp dealers distributed their own catalogues by mail, often including useful information and sales items. Stamp club meetings regularly provided members with social opportunities and live presentations on stamp related topics.
In today’s world, many of these useful tools still exist but often are reduced in numbers. Access to digital resources (even portable phones!) now makes it relatively easy and very fast to access information. This allows us to examine images of potential purchases and safely buy, pay for and take delivery of philatelic material, all by phone!
Stamp clubs are still out there, and specialized interest groups abound around the world. For modest sums these allow access to journals and useful articles on diverse subjects, in many languages and levels of specialization. There may be good social connections as well.
Print and digital outputs are available for most information, including catalogues and philatelic exhibits, many free. Collectors also are recording their research, writing articles and sharing information this way.
There also are many options outside stamp collecting organizations, again prepared just for fun at all levels of collecting, and truly international. Some are managed by dealers passionate about the hobby, and reached easily through a website. One example is Brixton-Chrome, a New Brunswick dealer where owner Chris McFetridge has written many useful articles about stamp collecting.
Search engines on computers are advanced – allowing unbelievably fast ways to enter, search and examine this digital world. Not all that is created there is ‘true’ and some may be out of date, but much is reliable and at minimum reveals what the creator is trying to explain.
I published many stamp related articles in philatelic journals (e.g. The Canadian Philatelist, The London Philatelist – all available in digital form through subscription), and a traditional print book on Gold Coast. Several years ago, I created a philatelic biography of Gerald E. Wellburn. This was my first self-published book using a local Victoria printer (First Choice Books: https://firstchoicebooks.ca) for the G. E. Wellburn Philatelic Foundation. This paid for itself through sales at a modest price and was a positive experience.
As I write this, I’m aware of other Victoria Stamp Club members who published their research on-line or in paper form:
- L. Margetish has an exhibit and a book on modern Canadian stamps (Caricature and Landscape) available through the British North America Philatelic Society.
- R. Fleet created two exhibits in book form on Canada’s Second Bill Stamps and B.C. Revenue Stamps, also at BNAPS.
- J. Penfold’s paper about stamp shades was published on-line on The Stamp Forum Newsletter, and may be accessed on this website.
- J. Hofmeyr recently published 3 substantial books on early United States experimental stamps, available through Amazon books.
- N. Donen recently published several series of articles on Australian airmails, postal history of the Quetta earthquake and “Madame Joseph” forged cancellations in “Gibbons Stamp Monthly” (print and digital available by subscription). His extensive research on 1935 Silver Jubilee stamps and postal history is found in the journal “The Flagstaff” and books (available through the American Philatelic Society library).
- G. Scrimgeour has written many articles about British Columbia postal history and his most recent is “Cable Repair in the Pacific, 1937 to 1942”.
Many other articles and displays written by Victoria Stamp Club members can be found in the Resources section of our website. Sorry if I missed other local writers! Enjoy your searches for stamp information. And please ask questions if you need more information to help enjoy our stamp collecting hobby!