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September 20/21, 2013

VANPEX 2013 Stamp Exhibition

The Philately of the Age of Sail — honouring the victory of Bluenose in the 1938 Fisherman's Trophy Race

VANPEX 2013, the annual stamp exhibition of the BC Philatelic Society, on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20/21 West Burnaby United Church, 6050 Sussex Avenue, in Burnaby, BC, will have a nautical theme to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the schooner Bluenose's last victory in the Fisherman’s Trophy races.

(Click on the poster at the left to
download a printable copy.)

The schooner, of course, inspired Canada's famous Bluenose stamp* of 1929. Exhibits Chair Martine Mercier hopes that the Bluenose theme will encourage the showing of maritime-themed exhibits in VANPEX, but stresses that it is intended to be used as a guide for exhibitors. Philately leads collectors down many diverse and interesting paths, and the exhibits committee looks forward to many different types of submissions from both experienced exhibitors and novices.

VANPEX 2013 will feature 36 frames. Thirty-five frames are reserved for exhibits of one to five frames; the 36th frame will prominently feature one-sheet exhibits.

Exhibitors may submit two exhibits totalling no more than five frames, as well as one sheet for the one-sheet exhibition. Ms. Mercier encourage beginners to start with a one-sheet or a one-frame exhibit.

For details about VANPEX 2013, download and print the following documents:

• For single and multi-frame exhibits: Prospectus (rules) & Application
  
• For one-sheet exhibits: Prospectus (rules) & Application

Beginning and experienced exhibitors are encouraged to read "10 Philatelic Exhibiting Tips," by Bob Ingraham, a former VANPEX exhibits chair and exhibitor.

Dealers wishing to rent a table at Vanpex 2013 should email Bourse Chair Derren Carman to confirm the availability of tables before downloading the Bourse Application.

* The Bluenose stamp, Scott #158, was issued January 8, 1929, is widely considered to be not only Canada's most beautiful stamps, but one of the most beautiful ever issued by any country. The engraving was based on two photographs of Bluenose racing off the coast of Nova Scotia.

The 50-cent cost of the stamp was intended to cover parcel-post rates. However, Bluenose stamps were immediately popular with collectors, who often mailed them on envelopes; used stamps with CDS (Circle Date Stamp) cancellations probably represent philatelic usage, while copies with roller cancellations likely represent "legitimate" postage payment for parcels.

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GOOD STUFF!

Our March Newsletter as well as past issues, club news, and useful and interesting articles, including "What to do when you inherit stamps," by President Bob Ingraham.

Why do we collect stamps? Why should you collect stamps? Novelist Ayn Rand (The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged) was a stamp collector who wrote what is perhaps the best-ever explication of what it is that draws us to what most people consider a curious hobby for children. Read "Why I like stamp collecting".

A notable addition: A downloadable copy of Canadian Philately — An Outline: A Summary of Collecting Areas and Interests of British North America Collectors, a useful publication of BNAPS (British North America Philatelic Society). You'll find the links to the booklet on our GOOD STUFF! web page.

LINKS TO OTHER CLUBS

The BC Philatelic Society enjoys associations with philatelic organizations in Canada and the United States. See our list of useful links.

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