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.
No comments:
Post a Comment