A US postal card so rare that only four known examples have surfaced in more than a century has been uncovered in a collection inherited by non-collectors. The card, called the ‘Mitchell’ card (for the collector who discovered it) has not been seen in decades. Mitchell (1877–1960), who was one of the country’s foremost experts on postal stationery (stamped envelopes and postal cards), was also … Continue reading Postal Card Rarity Rediscovered
The Philatelic Traders’ Society have launched the PTS Awards 2020, which will celebrate, champion and support philatelic companies. Their aim is to highlight unique entrepreneurs and businesses within the industry, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity within the hobby. More information is available on the website (thepts.net/awards). Philatelic Exporter is proud to partner the PTS in these awards to support the industry in what has … Continue reading PTS Launches Awards
‘Out of an abundance of caution’, this year’s on-premises version of the APS Summer Seminar on Philately, held annually without fail since 1980, was cancelled, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic crisis. Typically, Summer Seminar would enroll between 65–85 students for a combination of week-long and shorter courses, ranging from Stamp Technology and Exhibiting, to specialist courses on Washington-Franklins and engaging with postal history. Utilising … Continue reading APS Summer Seminar on Philately Posts Record Numbers
At least that’s the title of an editorial by Andrew Nelson that ran in the 5 June edition of the Wall Street Journal. ‘Of course,’ was my immediate reaction. Although it should come as no surprise to collectors, the hobby provides respite during troubling times (such as we are now experiencing on several fronts) and an opportunity to expend as much intellectual energy as you … Continue reading Why Stamp Collecting is Back in Vogue
Just as this edition of PE was going to press, the news broke that Autumn Stampex was being replaced with a Virtual Stampex event. Continue reading Autumn Stampex replaced by Virtual Stampex 2020
With London 2020 postponed, Stanley Gibbons decided to launch an online, single-sheet philatelic competition aimed at bringing the philatelic community together during the current crisis. Titled the Stanley Gibbons Blue competition, the competition took its inspiration from prestigious institutions who award ‘Blues’ to those individuals who represent the highest level of excellence in their field. In the competition, a Stanley Gibbons Blue was awarded to … Continue reading Stanley Gibbons sings the Blues
In mid-April 2020, The Guardian newspaper in the UK ran an interesting article titled ‘Post modern: why millennials have fallen in love with stamp collecting’. This must-read article had an interview with the Chair of the prestigious Philatelic Trader’s Society (PTS) in the UK. The article got wide coverage, and I was sent the link to it by several clients, in case I had not … Continue reading Positive stamp article in The Guardian
The Postal Museum has launched an online hub, ‘Make a Connection’, to enable everyone to virtually enjoy the museum experience while its physical doors remain temporarily closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. For a limited time, everyone will be able to experience the museum’s star attraction – Mail Rail – from the comfort of their own home. Viewers of the ‘Mail Rail from Home’ virtual … Continue reading The Postal Museum launches ‘Make a Connection’ online hub
Star lot of the Robert A Siegel auction on March 3-5 in New York, was a well-centred example of the most famous of all US errors, the 1918 24c Inverted Jenny. From position 95 of the original sheet of 100 stamps, it sold for $230,000. Siegel described the stamp (pictured) as having rich colours and with better centring than many in the sheet. It has … Continue reading Position 95 Inverted Jenny sold for $230,000
Sticky Post
POSTEUROP has announced that Armenia and Slovenia issued the Most Beautiful Europa Bird stamps in 2019. The public online vote, which polled a record 25,000-plus votes, selected the Armenia stamp as the most beautiful, followed by Turkey, and Finland. The jury vote however, comprising six philatelic experts, preferred the stamp from Slovenia, with secondly Liechtenstein, and Finland again third. This year’s Europa stamp theme is … Continue reading Last year’s most beautiful bird stamps in Europe are from Armenia and Slovenia
