We're not getting new members joining into the Forum, and there are a lot of members who are signed up but never log in.

I know stamp collecting is a solitary pastime for many, but most collectors can benefit from a place where they can ask questions, get encouragement and share. That's this place.

At the very least, let's talk up the Forum at meetings and recruit!

If you have other ideas on creating engagement, share them here. But more importantly, you don't need formal approval. If you have an idea that will engage existing club members, just do it!

Roy

See the thread at the top of this Forum for what's going on!

These are the participation gifts available leading up to the meeting for March 26. 

Sorry folks, I've been awfully busy the last two weeks. I haven't had time to dig out some new gifts. 

But you won't go without! I have multiples of all the previous items posted as gifts. Go back to any of the previous weeks and claim one! Please be sure to give me the description, not just the number, because I don't keep them in order.

Make your post, reply or comment in the proper forum and then come here and "Reply" to this post, say where you posted and claim one of the following gifts for delivery at the club on March 12, 2026. Webmaster (Roy) will put it aside with your name on it. Pick it up at the club. If you miss the meeting, so sorry, gift goes back into the pool. (We want you at the meetings too!)

More than one of each of these is available, but supplies of each are limited. Webmaster may not get to posting "This Gift is gone" in time, so it is possible you may be asked to pick an alternate.

See you all on Thursday, I hope! 

Anyone else here not on Turkey or Ham as an Easter meal? In our case, we go for chicken just because turkey, being high in purines, tends to set off gout in the hubby.

Anyone else have any more "unique" food offerings?

Just started a new collection.

Eastern Ontario Bread Tags.

The noble pursuit of collecting bread tags (AKA ties) has a storied tradition, stretching back to ancient times. Historians trace its earliest roots to the little-known Pharaoh Twistankhamun, whose tomb revealed golden bread ties used to seal royal loaves of ceremonial bread. However, the collecting of modern bread ties blossomed during the great yeast shortage of 1927, when bakers began marking their loaves with unique ties to deter bread theft. By the mid-20th century, societies dedicated to bread tie collecting sprang up globally, with dedicated tie collectors engaging in heated debates over the controversial "Whole Wheat Incident" of 1958, when unauthorized cardboard ties briefly replaced traditional plastic ones. Today, Bread Tie Philately (also affectionately called "Panphilately") enjoys a golden age, enthusiastically supported by a thriving online community that debates endlessly on such issues as tie rarity, color gradations, the use of fugitive inks and the interpretation of digital bread ties.

   

I started with some kiloware.

   

A sample from the 'classic' early period.

   

And, a couple of plastic 'modern' ties. Notice the UV tagging. These are all used of course. 


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And, some of the controversial cardboard ties ... notice the threads -- evidence of the use of granite paper. These are also hard to find in mint condition. Notice one has a crease, evidence of it being breadily-used. 


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A cinderella tie ... It was not used on an actual loaf. Clearly it was ornamental.


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A digital tie .. the latest historical development. I may need some help analyzing the code.

   

I had so much fun ... I ended up doing a one frame exhibit. For the ATA (American Tie Association)

   

April Fool everyone! Just kidding.

Poisson d’avril / Aprilscherz / День смеха / 愚人节快乐 / Gocair ort!

Cheers, Hugh

This week’s featured speaker was Hugh MacDonald. The topic was The Philatelic History of Occupation. Hugh showed occupation stamps and covers from conflicts in the 19th, 20th, and 21st century. It was a great learning opportunity for the group.

Another highlight this week happened during Show and Tell. One group member - who started collecting more than 70 years ago and was a country collector - asked about topical collecting and the feasibility of finding stamps related to his profession in the sciences. It was a privilege to be present as a seasoned collector dared to strike out in a new direction!

Next week Val Mayers will speak about Varieties. In the autumn session of Stamps and Their Stories, Val showed participants how to « flyspeck » and they were quite excited when they were able to see tiny variations.

Im selling all types of U.S. scott 231. Im also providing a expert certificate of types of  U.S. stamps and covers.Message me for my services.

This week’s topic was Collecting Countries. Ted Luhtala spoke about his collection of Germany. Participants always find Ted’s stories about hyperinflation stamps fascinating! He also showed a collection representing an entire decade of East German stamps - a collection he assembled during the pandemic. 

Next week’s topic is Occupation Stamps, presented by Hugh MacDonald.

We don’t know yet if the Senior’s Association will want us to run another series in Session 4, which begins in late April. Watch this space for news!

So far in my philatelic journey I have discovered that stamps are tiny works of art, they make memories resurface and evoke emotions. 
Well now, stamps can come "to life" using AI! 

These are two stamps:

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that were turned into living stamps please click on the links to view.

First the 1929 Scott 158 Bluenose I: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1317166853534908

And the second 1973 Turkish Angora Cat: https://www.facebook.com/reel/795583683573891

Amazing!

Our guest speaker this week was Richard Weigand, with a new presentation on the founding of the Red Cross and collecting Red Cross stamps. The group really enjoyed listening to Richard, and appreciated the additional information he provided about the Kingston Stamp Club.

This group is bringing some great items for Show and Tell. I am learning so much from them!

There is no class March 16 because of school break. Our guest presenter on March 23 will be Ted Luhtala, speaking about collecting stamps from Germany.

See the thread at the top of this Forum for what's going on!

These are the participation gifts available leading up to the meeting for March 12. 

Make your post, reply or comment in the proper forum and then come here and "Reply" to this post, say where you posted and claim one of the following gifts for delivery at the club on March 12, 2026. Webmaster (Roy) will put it aside with your name on it. Pick it up at the club. If you miss the meeting, so sorry, gift goes back into the pool. (We want you at the meetings too!)

More than one of each of these is available, but supplies of each are limited. Webmaster may not get to posting "This Gift is gone" in time, so it is possible you may be asked to pick an alternate.

#1 Great Britain Lundy Island 1961 Europa FDC

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#2 Canada "O Canada" 1980 set of 2 House of Commons FDC

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#3 Germany 1947 Stuttgart Industrial Exhibition cancel on uprated postal card

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#4 San Marino 1971 art maximum card - ships

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Roy