Stamp Collecting in Saint John, NB: A Guide for Local Philatelists

Saint John, New Brunswick, is home to a quiet but passionate community of stamp collectors—both seasoned philatelists and curious newcomers. With its rich maritime history and ties to British colonial postal traditions, Saint John offers unique opportunities for collectors to explore rare issues, maritime covers, and regional postal history. Whether you're hunting for Small Queens, searching for New Brunswick pre-confederation issues, or just organizing your first album, the following tips and resources can help you make the most of your hobby.

Tips for Stamp Collectors in Saint John

1. Specialize to Start

Focus on a particular area—such as Canadian commemoratives, classic British Empire stamps, or maritime postal history. Specialization helps build knowledge and makes the hunt more rewarding.

2. Attend Local Shows

Stamp and coin shows in New Brunswick often feature regional dealers and are great places to trade, buy, or appraise collections. Ask about any upcoming events at local hobby shops or through collector clubs.

3. Watch the Fog & Humidity

Saint John's coastal climate can affect paper and gum. Store your collection in a dry, temperature-controlled space with archival-quality albums and mounts.

4. Join a Club

Clubs offer access to trading circles, guest speakers, and appraisal sessions. Even informal meetups can help expand your knowledge and contacts.

5. Don’t Overlook Postcards & Covers

Postal history from Atlantic Canada—especially pre-Confederation and 19th-century covers—can be of high interest and value.

Local Dealers & Resources

1. Saint John Stamp Club

Meets at 7:00 pm on the fourth Wednesday of each month, except July, August and December, at the Hampton Inn, 51 Fashion Drive, East Point Shopping Centre, Saint John, NB. Visitors and new members welcome. Contact: Call 506-849-2250 for more information.

2. Loyalist City Coins and Books

Location: 14 Charlotte St

Saint John, NB E2L 2H4

Focus: Coins, paper money, collectibles, books -- used to have some stamps and stamp collecting supplies.

3. Saint John Coin Club (also welcomes stamp collectors)

Website: [Check Facebook or local listings]

Meetings: Monthly in Saint John or Rothesay area

Activities: Trading nights, auctions, show & tell, collecting resources

4. Atlantic Provinces Philatelic Association (APPA)

Website: http://www.ap-pa.ca

Membership: Includes collectors from all Atlantic provinces

Benefits: Newsletters, regional events, dealer directory

5. Saint John Regional Library

Location: Market Square

Perk: Often overlooked, the library has philatelic books, catalogues (Scott, Unitrade), and archives for research.

Online Resources for Local Collectors

Unitrade Specialized Catalogue of Canadian Stamps – the gold standard for Canadian issues.

Canada Post Archives – digital access to official stamp issues and histories.

VGG Philately & All Nations Stamp Auctions – Canadian online auctions worth browsing.

Hipstamp - online retail and auctions. Many Canadian Dealers.

Stamp collecting in Saint John is more than a solitary pursuit—it’s a way to connect with the region’s history and a network of passionate collectors. With some diligence and local exploration, your next great find might be just around the corner—tucked in a dealer’s album or sitting quietly in an estate sale box.

 The Small Queens of Canada: A Philatelic Classic

The Small Queens issue is one of Canada’s most iconic and enduring postage stamp series. First released in 1870, these stamps replaced the earlier Large Queens issue and remained in use until 1897, making them a fixture on Canadian mail for nearly three decades.

The term “Small Queens” refers to the smaller format portrait of Queen Victoria, engraved by the American Bank Note Company (ABNCo), which succeeded the British American Bank Note Company in producing Canada’s stamps. The designs feature a finely detailed profile of the young queen facing left, enclosed within an oval frame and surrounded by intricate lathework and lettering indicating the denomination.

Denominations ranged from ½ cent to 50 cents, with each value printed in a distinctive color:

½ cent: black

1 cent: yellow

2 cent: green

3 cent: orange/red

5 cent: grey/lilac

6 cent: yellow-brown

8 cent: blue

10 cent: rose carmine

20 cent: vermilion

50 cent: blue

Over the years, numerous printings, perforation varieties, and paper types appeared, resulting in a rich and complex field for collectors. Subtle differences—like changes in shade, paper thickness, and grill or perforation measurements—have created an array of recognized varieties and rarities.

Among the most famous are the elusive 1-cent “Montreal Gazette” Bisect, an emergency provisional use during a stamp shortage, and the 2-cent green on the thick “soft wove” paper, highly prized by specialists.

The Small Queens were eventually succeeded by the 1897 Jubilee Issue, commemorating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Yet their long usage and the many nuances of production make the Small Queens a fascinating study and a cornerstone of Canadian philately.

for pictures see: RPSC site