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What is this?

The Discussion Group provides a forum for the examination of a subject that cannot be fitted into a regular meeting night. Subjects are intended to appeal to all stamp enthusiasts whether established or new to the hobby. The program will present speakers who are specialists in specific aspects of philately with the intent of educating and entertaining members and guests who wish to expand their philatelic knowledge. The content of the programme is driven by requests from members of the West Toronto Stamp Club. All members are encouraged to let their interests be known to the Executive who will, in turn, pass the request to the Programme Director to activate (if possible). No business will be conducted at any meeting that features a speaker.

Meeting time & place

The Discussion Group meets virtually via Zoom on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm and concludes by about 9:00 pm. A meeting invitation including a zoom link will be sent to all members and list of guests a week or so before the meeting.

Address and Google Map

Programme

2024,
The Straight Jack Flag Cancel of Montreal 1896 - shared by Sid Mensinga, President, WTSC

Sid Mensinga will present "The Straight Jack" cancellation as used between April 11 and April 22 in Montreal as part of the evaluation of the Imperial Rapid Cancelling Machine
This presentation will feature a new study that was unveiled at the Philatelic Specialists Society group meeting last week at the Vincent Graves Greene Library, Toronto

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2024, 15 October
The Pence & Cents Stamp Issues Of Canada and the World - shared by Members and Guests of WTSC

Members and guests are encouraged to show and discuss their stamps and covers of the Pence and Decimal Issues.
According to Robson Lowe, the journals of the Legislative Assembly of the Colony of Canada record that the resolution to adopt adhesive postage stamps was made on May 22nd 1849, passed on May 25th and approved the next day. The printing contract was awarded to Messrs. Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson of New York who held it until December 4th 1867.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2024, 17 September
Philatelic Interesting items - unexhibited items never seen before - shared by Members and Guests of WTSC

Show and Tell of Philatelic items that one has never shown at any other meetings and something that you find interesting. All subjects are welcome for this evenings session as Philately is a hobby for people of all ages and as one knows, there are still many stories to be told after doing some internet and online research.
Mail from small towns going through routing post offices in large towns to other smaller towns would often show through their postal and auxiliary markings that the postmaster likely knew many of the towns folk and therefore could easily direct mail promptly.
Those involved in this hobby are sure to come across new philatelic discoveries! As someone has stated before "...you will have an even better understanding and appreciation of your stamp collecting hobby".

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2024, 21 August
Philatelic Treasure Hunting - Things that you have found or things that you are looking for - shared by Members and Guests of WTSC

Today, there are still, many philatelic items from different countries that still need to be discovered. We know now that great value may be found in learning about the history of the postage stamp or the history on the envelope / cover that if one were to diligently do some research, may shed great insights into the life of the past.
Mail from small towns going through routing post offices in large towns to other smaller towns would often show through their postal and auxiliary markings that the postmaster likely knew many of the towns folk and therefore could easily direct mail promptly.
Finding an untouched archive of old correspondence is an amazing experience in itself and the trill of the search is always enriching to ones learning experience. Each seasoned philatelist, stamp/cover collector or old-time dealer has his own story to tell of item(s) in their respective collection.
These days most collectors are inclined to believe that there are no more untouched archives to unearth but one may be surprised to find a philatelic treasure in senders, recipients or postmarks details found on covers, postcards or other items that would have gone through the mail!
Go on, share your presentations and Philatelic Treasure Hunting items and BUILD BETTER COLLECTIONS!

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2024, 23 July
Stampless Covers is the theme - shared by Members and Guests of WTSC

Before the time of the creation of Postage stamps, written communications between people were sent without stamps and were called stampless covers. Such covers were either carried privately by individuals, express couriers, steamboats, ships or by the post office by means of stagecoach, rail or road.
The British Administration through their Post Office staff established post roads in its North-American and other Commonwealthcolonies worldwide alongside local administration.
Collecting of stampless covers is a relatively new activity and interest in the contents of old letters, including those inside stampless covers, is one of the fastest growing areas of postal history. Old correspondence found on paper that has faded or lost its charm often have contents that make it very desirable and gives a glimpse of life amongst people in times gone-by!
Types of Postmarks (Cancellations) such as Manuscript markings, shipping / postal route markings, ovals, double & single circles, straight lines or fancy cancels etc. make for very interesting postal exhibits.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2024, 18 June
An Imaginary Philatelic Circumnavigation of Great Britain & Off-shore Islands in the Paquebot Era by Ken Snelson

Ken mentions in his Presentation that he decided to exhibit these set of Paquebot covers that form part of his collection for Members, Guest and friends of Philately at the West Toronto Stamp Club Discuss Group night meeting. Ken shows here several markings from many of the Ship Ports around Great Britain (GB) and Offshore Island(s). Enjoy this Imaginary Philatelic Voyage! From London Clockwise around GB back to London.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2024, 21 May
Feedback Session (Town Hall Meeting) coupled with a participant driven Show & Tell

Guests and members of the WTSC are invited to suggest Philatelic topics of interest for future meetings and disussions.”

A Show-and-Tell session follows our discussion.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2024, 16 April
Michel Houde discussing his collection of the B overprints of Bangkok - Siam Stamps and Covers

Michel Houde will present and discuss his Bangkok Collection which is about to be sold at auction. Michel on his own website Visit Homepage(michelhoude.com) notes that he has had a “40-year fascination with the British Consular Post Office at Bangkok that was established by Great Britain (GB) in 1858 in a treaty signed between GB and Siam (now, Thailand).”

His research led him to put into print his knowledge making it available to the hobby. Michel’s presentation of his Bangkok Collection is most interesting and informative.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2024, 20 March
Guest and Members of WTSC, Presenting, "Part II Long Distance or Unusual Route Covers"

The Discussion Group meeting for March 19 will be an encore performance of last October in which we asked members to show covers that had travelled either long distances or unusual routes

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2024, 20 February
Dr. Robert Galway, Presenting, "Dr. Robert Galway"

Several great luxury steam ships were included in the naming series Empress of ___. In his 90-slide presentation, Dr. Galway tells the story of these great ships and their connection with his favourite study "Airmail".
The presentation will show a collection of Airmail letters and mail.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2024, 16 January
Doug Mattox of the Atlanta Stamp Club: Presenting, "A Postal History of Tonga (Friendly Island)"

Doug mentions that the collection of the first 89 stamps from 1886 to WWII in the Tonga Island collection now occupies 10 albums.
The presentation will show a postal history collection of the Tonga (Friendly Island) including Tin-Can Mail.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2023, 21 November
Dr. Darin Cherniwchan: Presenting, "You Too Can be a Digital Philatelist"

WTSC member, Dr. Darin Cherniwchan, chairman of the BNAPS Digital Study Group, presenting on a very useful and important Philatelic subject titled "You Too Can be a Digital Philatelist".
The presentation will show a number of ways that collectors can use their computers in their stamp collecting pursuits.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2023, 17 October
Member & Guest Participation: Presenting, Long Distance Covers (Through Land, Sea, Air & Space)"

Showing and discussing covers that have travelled a great distance from any point of origin
Please be prepared to discuss routes and methods of transport.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2023, 19 September
Speaker: RPSC President, Gregg Redner “How Pre-payment of postage was indicated on Pre-Stamp Belgian Mail"

Join, Gregg Redner for a discussion about how prepayment was indicated on pre-stamp mail. Over the past twenty years Gregg has amassed one of the largest collections of pre-philatelic Belgian covers in private hands. He will draw from this to illustrate the manner in which prepayment was indicated prior to the use of stamps.
Gregg’s talk will cover mail from the early sixteenth century up until 1849, when the first Belgian postage stamp was issued.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2023, 15 August
Speaker: Guests and Members of WTSC “Canada Large Queeen stamp issues of 1868"

This Discussion Group meeting will be a ‘Show & Tell’ type of event supported by contributions from the attendees. On 1 April 1868, the first set of Dominion of Canada stamps with the vignette of “Victoria’s Head to Right” was issued to postmasters. These stamps are commonly known as the Large Queens. All the Large Queen stamps use a similar overall design, differing only in the ornamentation surrounding the portrait of Queen Victoria. The design consists of a circular medallion bearing a diademed profile portrait of the Queen facing right, surrounded by the words ‘CANADA POSTAGE’ above and text for the value below, with numeral values at the lower corners and sometimes also repeated at the top.
For this meeting, attendees are being asked to select any Large Queen stamp issue and show the postal use (or uses) of the values of the set.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2023, 18 July
Speaker: Guests and Members of WTSC “The Postal History and Examples of Usage of Low Value Definitives”

This Discussion Group meeting will be a ‘Show & Tell’ type of event supported by contributions from the attendees. Every nation or stamp issuing entity produces sets of definitive stamps in which there is usually a planned purpose for each value in the set.
For this meeting, attendees are being asked to select any definitive issue from anywhere in the world and show the postal use (or uses) of the low value of the set.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2023, 20 June
Speaker: Dr. Jean Wang presents “The Art of Building a Thematic Collection”

Many of us may have seen Jean’s gold medal exhibit on Blood. This is one of those rare exhibits that did well on its first showing but has continued to develop to become a thematic exhibit that sets the standard for the class.
Using examples from this exhibit, Jean discusses her method of selecting the topic, developing the theme, and finding the various types of material needed to successfully illustrate the topic.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2023, 16 May
Speaker: Members and Guest of the West Toronto Stamp Club.
The purpose of this evenings meeting is to have a Feedback Session (Town Hall Meeting) coupled with a participant driven Show & Tell.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window Click Here.

2023, 20 April
Speaker: Denzil Fernandes talking about "Bombay (now, Mumbai) General Post Office Foreign Mail: 1868 to 1891 " at the West Toronto Stamp Club Discussion Group Meeting.

The Bombay (now, Mumbai) Postal Circle was a very active post office in the mid-and-late 1800's.
In the book titled "Bombay General Post Office (GPO)" by author M. M. Inamdar it is mentioned as follows "Bombay GPO was opened in 1794 with Mr. Charles Elphinstone as the first Post Master General (PMG). Prior to that only a postmaster was appointed in 1787 who was appointed in 1787 who was remunerated by commission basis on letters received and despatched. The development of Postal services took place according to the geographical condition, need of the hour and adminstrative exigencies.

The purpose of this Presentation is to talk about Foreign Mail between the years 1868 to 1891 that passed through the Bombay GPO and shows how different Sea Routes emerged as time progressed. Postal Rates and Sea Sorting on Bombay outward routes are also Presented.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Part 1 Click Here.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Part 2 Click Here.

2023, 21 March
Speakers: W.G.Burden and Garfield Portch talking about Re-Entries and other Stamp Plate Varieties at the West Toronto Stamp Club Discussion Group Meeting.
Re-Entries on stamps are a constant plate variety (line marks, dots, scratches etc.) that are found only on steel engraved postage stamps that show certain sections of the design doubled or overlayed. They are found in the same position on every sheet printed from the same plate on which the Re-Entry occured.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2023, 21 February
Speaker: David K. Foot (Presenting: Australia's First Contract Airmail: Western Australian Airways 1921-1936)
Australia's first contract airmail was in the West and not in the East and was a regular route flown every week that started in 1921, which was quite early for regular airmail routes.

All of the topics shown below are to be illustrated with philatelic items and this presentation will include -

1) The North-West Route - 1921
2) Extension to Perth - 1924
3) The East-West Route - 1929
4) Extension to Wyndham - 1930
5) Loss of the North-West Route - 1934
6) Sale of West Australian Airways - 1936

The 6-main parts of the story are expected to start with the North-West airmail route starting in 1921 and the work of Western Australian born pilot named Norman Brearley (1890 - 1989) who was trained during WWI to carry mail in these early times.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2023, 18 January
Speaker(s): Arnie Janson (Presenting: Philatelic Variety of Varieties); Stamp Club Members and Friends of Philately
In the first hour of this evenings Presentation, Arnie, a member of Burlington and Hamilton Stamp Clubs will speak on his passion in collecting the full spectrum of on-cover and used varieties of Canadian stamps that will include examples of reentries, plate flaws, printing errors, bisects, misperfs, postal markings and so-on and so-forth.

Guests and members are invited to show in presentation form items from your collection based on the subject of 'Philatelic Varieties'.

Please take the time to scan part or a page of your collection and show as a PowerPoint.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 20 December
Speaker(s): Stamp Club Members and Friends of Philately
Share your 'December Festive Season' philatelic items as a Powerpoint Presentation.

Guests and members are invited to show in presentation form items from your collection based on the subject of 'December Festive Season'. The challenge put forth to all participants is to find something unusual or 'out of the normal'.

Please take the time to scan part or a page of your collection and show as a PowerPoint.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 15 November
Speaker(s): Stamp Club Members and Friends of Philately
Share your ideas about Assembling and Writing up your Stamp and Postal History Collection.

We know that almost everyone has a different way of assembling and/or writing up a collection. Some are stockbooks, others preprinted albums, and many are freehand on blank pages. There will also be some who design and print their own pages or even use an exhibiting format. There is no rule -- nothing can be wrong so long as the collector is happy and content.

Please take the time to scan part or a page of your collection and show as a PowerPoint.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 18 October
Speaker: Dr. Darin Cherniwchan
Dr. Darin Cherniwchan will present "The Power of PowerPoint". Darin is the chairman of the BNAPS Digital Philately Study Group and will demonstrate some new uses for your Microsoft tools. An open forum on the subject of digital philately will follow.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 20 September
Speaker: Dr. Gregg Redner
The Discussion Group meeting Tuesday, September 20 will feature Dr. Gregg Redner who will present “Belgium’s 1920 3-centime stamp issue”, the last stamp of the 1915 King Albert I series and the country’s first 3-centime stamp.

This stamp was issued on December 31, 1920 and was designed to frank commercial/ imprimé mail up to 20 grams. The issue has a fascinating history, which includes a discussion of the history of the 1915, King Albert I issue, which is to Belgium what the Small Queens are to Canada.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 16 August
Speaker: Colin Clark
The Discussion Group meeting Tuesday, August 16 will feature guest speaker Colin Clark. Colin is originally from Sunderland in the UK but has lived in the US for the last 30 years. Colin currently lives in Atlanta, where he’s a club member of the Atlanta Stamp Collectors Club. His main collecting interest is GB Queen Victoria postal history from the North-East of England, which includes cities and towns such as Sunderland, Newcastle-on-Tyne, North Shields and South Shields.

Colin also has a strong interest in virtual One-Page exhibiting. He has competitively exhibited internationally and in the US, including winning the most recent UK Stamp Collector magazine one-page competition. Colin uses Victorian postal history to study social philately and history. Tonight’s presentation is based on Victorian social philately.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 19 July
Speaker: David K Foot [ Email: david@footwork.com ]
Campbell Island - Postal History Of A Subantarctic Weather Station
The Discussion Group meeting of July 19, 2022 will feature Dr. David K. Foot, storyteller extraordinaire, who will present Campbell Island and its Postal History. Campbell Island is an uninhabited subantarctic island of New Zealand that was first used as a seal hunting base. It transitioned to a whaling station before becoming the home base in 1907 for a series of Scientific Expeditions.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 21 June
Speaker: Club Members and Guests
CAPEX22 - Feedback and Review
Provide our members with an opportunity to present feedback, comments, and requests from their participation at Capex-22. Canada’s first international stamp show of the 21st century.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 17 May
Speaker: Club Members and Guests
Town Hall and CAPEX22
Provide our members with an opportunity to present feedback, comments, and requests. The opening segment of this meeting will provide that opportunity for gathering future meeting topics. The second portion of this meeting will be a discussion of the upcoming CAPEX22, Canada’s first international stamp show of the 21st century.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 19 April
Speaker: Chris Hargreaves
Trans Atlantic Airmail
Our presenter for this evening’s meeting will be Chris Hargreaves, a recognized expert in the field of Canadian aerophilately.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 15 March
Speaker: Club Members and Guests
Foreign Mail from Anywhere to Anywhere
Show some of the magnificent covers that sit in your postal history collection. The only rule for this gathering is that material presented must be addressed to a destination outside the country of origin.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 15 February
Speaker: Club Members and Guests
Registered Mail
Members and participants are encouraged to show a short presentation of some aspect of Registered Mail as it applies to their collection(s).

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2022, 18 January
Speaker: Club Members and Guests
Favourite Album Pages
This is an opportunity for member/guest participation to share your memorable learning experiences from your collection(s).

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2021, 21 December
Speaker: Club Members and Guests
Festive Philately
Participants are invited to show mini presentations of philatelic material with a Festive or Seasonal theme.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2021, 16 November
Speaker: Patrick Durbano
The Perforated O.H.M.S. Stamps of Canada, Part 2
Talk focuses on selected postal usages and other interesting aspects of these stamps. See [ Durbano Stamps ]

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2021, October
Speaker: Charles Livermore
MILITARY TORONTO: An Examination
An examination of the military presence in Toronto during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2021, September
Speaker: Lawrence Pinkney
CANADA: THE MAP STAMP IN DECEMBER 1898

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2021, August
Speaker: Garfield Portch FRPSL
THE STREET POST OFFICES OF TORONTO, 1885 TO 1900

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2021, July
Speaker: Chris Green FRPSL
MULREADY COVERS

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2021, June
Speaker: Patrick Durbano
CANADA'S 5 HOLE OHMS STAMPS

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2021, May
Speaker: Zoe Delgusta-Cincatto
TORONTO'S FIRST POST OFFICE
The story of the first post office in Toronto with some examples of early postal history, artifacts, social history and a virtual tour.

2021, April
Speaker: Various
SHOW & TELL

2021, March
Speaker: Ed Kroft FRPSC
POSTAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST ISSUES OF ISRAEL

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2021, February
Speaker: Dr Darin Cherniwchan
TWO-CENTS SMALL QUEEN AND THE DEWEY COLLECTION

2021, January
Speaker: Ingo Nessel FRPSL, FRPSC
THE 1895-1889 50-CENT PARLIAMENT BOOKLETS OF CANADA

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2020, December
Speaker: Dr. Alec Globe
Buyer beware - the examination of some forged postal history

2020, November
Speaker: Ken Pugh
ARGENTINA - GOOD FOR ONE DAY

2020, October
Speaker: Don Hedger
WTSC SINGLE PAGE COMPETITION

2020, September
Speaker: Rob Lunn FRPSC
THE BARTLETT LETTERHEADS

2020, August
Speaker: Garfield Portch FRPSC
ANALYTIC PHILATELY - A 2020 UPDATE

2020, July
Speaker: Simon Claughton
SOYUZ 7

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2020, June
Speaker: Various
SHOW & TELL

2020, February to May
Speaker: Don Hedger
No presentations due to Covid-19 lockdown

2020, January
Speaker: Klaus Hintz
BERLIN LOCAL MAIL DURING THE AIRLIFT

2019, November
Speaker: Derwin Mak
BATMAN

2019, October
Speaker: Various
SHOW & TELL - NEW ACQUISITIONS

2019, September
Speaker: Garfield Portch FRPSC
NEW COLLECTOR WORKSHOP

2019, June
Speaker: Various
SHOW & TELL + PLANNING ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

2019, April
Speaker: Dr. Sam Chiu FRPSC
CANADA'S FORCE "C"

2019, March
Speaker: Garfield Portch FRPSC
WORKSHOP FOR SINGLE PAGE EXHIBITS

2019, February
Speaker: Shirley Griff-Coates
MOURNING COVERS

2019, January
Speaker: Rod Paige
GOLD COAST

2018, November
Speaker: David McLaughlin
CANADA - THE MAPLE LEAF ISSUE OF 1898

2018, October
Speaker: Lawrence Pinkney
PAPERS OF THE LARGE QUEEN ISSUE

2018, September
Speaker: Garfield Portch FRPSC
TAKE A SECOND LOOK
The results of examining one's old collection and updating or repurposing material.

2018, June
Speaker: Various
SHOW & TELL + PLANNING ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

2018, May
Speaker: George Pepall FRPSC
U.S.A. THE SECOND BUREAU PRINTINGS

2018, April
Speaker: Dr. Richard Judge
Analysis of the Admiral colours

2018, March
Speaker: Garfield Portch FRPSC
THE POSTAL HISTORY OF TORONTO TO 1901

2018, February
Speaker: Dr. Jean Wang
THE STORY OF BLOOD: A TOPICAL EXHIBIT

2018, January
Speaker: Garfield Portch FRPSC
WORKSHOP FOR SINGLE PAGE EXHIBITS

2017, November
Speaker: Joe Trauzzi
THE ROYAL TRAIN

2017, October
Speaker: Ian Robertson
THE PHILATELIC SPECIALISTS SOCIETY SESQUICENTENNIAL PROJECT

2017, September
Speaker: John Wilson
SOUTH AFRICAN STAMPS USED IN THE WRONG PLACE

2017, June
Speaker: Lawrence Pinkney
THE STORY OF A COVER
The postal and social history behing a 'Steele Briggs' cover

2017, May
Speaker: Club discussion
CREATING AN EXHIBIT
To encourage participation in one page, multi page and/or one frame exhibiting and to help turn your draft exhibits and ideas into an exhibit that you will be pleased to show in May, the March Discussion Group will focus on exhibit sharing and support. Members are encouraged to bring and share what you are working on and will receive the help needed to turn your idea or draft exhibit into a more finished product. By sharing we can help each other. As well, club “Expert Exhibitors” will be ready and willing to assist.

2017, April 18
Speaker: Mark Stelmacovich
UKRAINIAN PROVISIONAL STAMPS
Mark, a member of the WTSC, will show a PowerPoint presentation outlining his research and award winning exhibit of the provisional stamps of the Ukraine in the 1990's.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2017, March 21
Speaker: Frank Alusio FRPSC
EXHIBITING WORKSHOP

2017, February 21
Speaker: Ted Nixon FRPSC
THE PARIS STARS
In September 1863 the French Postal Administration extended the use of the "star" cancellatons to all Paris post offices. The new handstamps continued in use until 1876. The study and exhibition of these fascinating cancellations has resulted in gold medals for our speaker.

To view this Presentation in a new browser window - Click Here.

2017, January 17
Speaker: Ian Robertson
MR. LIVINGSTONE, I PRESUME
The story of a Picton, Ontario shopkeeper who branched into postcards before the first World War distributing what may be considered the best quality photographic postcards of Ontario scenes.

2016, November 15
Speaker: Dr. Robert Galway
AVIATION IN WESTERN CANADA
This will be a continuation of the presentation begun in September, 2015 and will deal with the development of airmail service in the Canadian West. The presentation will include a review of Parts 1 & 2. Dr. Galway will discuss the history of Western Canada aviation and the evolution of airmail in the West. The air service companies included in this discussion are Western Canada Airways, Yukon Airways, British Columbia Airways, Cherry Red Airline, Commercial Airways, Klondike Airways and Canadian Airways.

2016, October 18
Speaker: Ken Pugh
FAKES & FORGERIES OF CANADIAN AND BNA STAMPS
Ken Pugh of Chilliwack, B.C. is a noted researcher, author and general authority on the subject of Canadian Fakes & Forgeries. To see some of his work please visit his website at https://kenpughphilatelics.com

This presention will be the first in a series of three presentations to be made in Toronto this week.

October 18 (7:30 pm) at West Toronto, the subject will be DETECTION TECHNIQUES. Among the selected material will be OHMS perfins and overprints, the De Thuin forgeries and fake fancy cancels.

October 19 (7:30 pm) at the regular meeting of the Philatelic Specialists Society of Canada at the Greene Foundation Ken will discuss THE PERSONALITIES including De Thuin, Eaton, Sperati and others. This meeting is open only to PSSC members and their guests.

October 20 (7:30 pm) at the Greene Foundation, Ken will discuss specific examples of fakes and forgeries from his extensive collection. This meeting, sponsored by the Greene Foundation is open to all.

2016, September 20
Speaker: Leon Mathys
THE GREAT HALIFAX EXPLOSION
On December 6, 1917 a French freighter, the SS MONT-BLANC, loaded with explosives collided with a Norwegian ship, the SS IMO. The subsequent explosion was the biggest explosion prior to the atomic bombs used in World War 2. This is the story told through a philatelic exhibit.

2016, June 21
Speakers: Charles Verge FRPSL FRPSC & Garfield Portch FRPSC
POSTAL HISTORY WORKSHOP
This meeting will provide a forum for the discussion of the collection of postal history. Included will be the reading and interpretation of markings on covers and the analysis of rates.

2016, May 17
SHOW & TELL plus DISCUSSION GROUP FORUM
This two part meeting will provide an opportunity for members to share and briefly discuss their own material. In the second part, general discussions will provide some direction and guidance for future meetings.

2016, April 19
Speaker: Dr. David Foot
AUSTRALIAN ROCKET MAIL
David is returning to the West Toronto with another of his wonderful stories of unusual postal history from ‘down under’ presented as only a master story teller can do. The accompanying single frame exhibit displays flown covers from each of the rocket experiments.

2016, March 15
Speaker: Peter Butler FRPSC
PICTURE POSTAGE
A look at this relatively new branch of philately

2016, February 16
Speaker: Dr. Robert Galway
THE RED LAKE GOLD RUSH & BEYOND SEMI OFFICIALS
This will be a continuation of the presentation begun in September, 2015

2016, January 16
Speakers: Rob Taylor & Garfield Portch FRPSC
GRADING & PRICING OF STAMPS
Rob Taylor will discuss the techniques used by dealers to grade and price stamps for sale in various formats
PAPERMAKING & WATERMARKS
Garfield Portch will discuss the principles and methods of papermaking and watermarks as well as methods of detecting watermarks

2015, November 15
Speaker: John Wilson
POSTMASTER CHOPS OF HONG KONG
This discussion will present John’s research into the postal markings of Hong Kong from the beginning to the present.

2015, October 20
Speaker: Lawrence Pinkney
INTRODUCTION TO THE LARGE QUEENS OF CANADA
This discussion will present the Large Queen definitive issue of 1868 and will feature an overview of the stamps and the complex issue of paper types.

2015, September 15
Speaker: Dr. Robert Galway
THE FORMATIVE YEARS OF AIR TRANSPORT IN CANADA & EARLY DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF AIRMAIL
An introduction to the world of semi-official airmail and the people, companies and aircraft that made it possible.

2015, June 16
Speaker: none
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION TO PROVIDE IDEAS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION GROUP PROGRAMMES
This is an opportunity for all members of the Club to express an opinion about the subject matter for future programmes. It is also an opportunity to critique the past year's programme.

2015, May 19
Presenters: Kathy Hartley and Garfield Portch
AN AFTERNOON & EVENING AT THE GREENE FOUNDATION
This meeting will allow club members to spend some time in the library at the Greene Foundation where Kathy Hartley will discuss and help with philatelic research. Garfield Portch will demonstrate some of the forensic techniques used in expertixing stamps. Members will also have the chance to use the VSC6000 to examine their own material.

2015, April 21
Speaker: none
MEMBERS' BUY, SELL & SWAP SESSION
An evening of trading and selling among members.

2015, March 17
Speaker: Ken Snelson
UK POSTAL UNION POSTAGE DUE MAIL
An introduction to the study of postage due postal history.

2015, February 17
Speaker: Frank Alusio
HOW TO ASSEMBLE AN EXHIBIT
A discussion and demonstration of some of the techniques that Frank uses in the construction of his beautiful, distinctive and award winning exhibits.