Solar storms that cause bright auroras can also affect people and technology in space and on Earth. The development of the scientific understanding of that Sun-Earth relationship is examined in Space Weather—A Philatelic Journey, a new philatelic handbook published in DVD format by the American Topical Association.
Written by meteorologists Garry Toth and Don Hillger, it contains descriptive text, stamp and cover images, and an extensive and up-to-date checklist. More than 200 pages of detailed information are in .pdf format. The checklist appendices in Excel format are also included.
The handbook will be of interest to collectors of numerous space and weather-related topics.
Garry Toth, MSc, was an operational meteorologist with the Meteorological Service of Canada. His topical interests are weather, climate, space weather and planetary weather.
Don Hillger, PhD, is a satellite meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and holds a cooperative position at Colorado State University. His topical interests include unmanned scientific satellites, weather and climate.
The DVD is $35, or $30 for ATA members, plus $1.50 postage in the U.S. and Canada, or $3 elsewhere. Order from American Topical Association, PO Box 8, Carterville, IL 62918-0008, americantopical@msn.com. Preorders will be taken for a printed book version until Mar. 31, 2018.
5251 (49¢) National Museum of African American History and Culture
NORTH POLE — Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus — and the U.S. Postal Service can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child’s letter — complete with a North Pole postmark.
Affix a First-Class Mail stamp, such as a new Christmas Carols Forever stamp to the envelope.
“Letters from Santa” must be received by the Anchorage, AK, postmaster no later than Dec. 15. Santa’s helpers at the Postal Service will take care of the rest.
January 15: 
Sc. 3092 and 3093-7
What was the design change that caused the delay in sale of the stamp, as announced in the press release immediately below?
The Snowy Day
Sc. 5247-5250
HALIFAX – Canada Post issued a stamp November 6, 2017, commemorating the devastating explosion that rocked Halifax on the morning of December 6, 1917, when two ships – one loaded with explosives – collided in the narrows leading to its harbour. Released one month before the 100th anniversary of that fateful day, the issue also salutes the resilience of the Haligonians who rebuilt their city from the ashes.
Halifax was a bustling port supplying Canada’s efforts in the First World War in 1917. The blast occurred when a fire detonated munitions aboard the French ship Mont-Blanc after it struck the Imo, a Norwegian cargo ship. The largest human-made explosion in history, prior to the detonation of the first atomic bomb. It claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people, injured 9,000 more, and damaged property worth millions of dollars.
OTTAWA – Since 1964, Canadians have counted on Canada Post to dress up their holiday mail with festive stamps heralding the season. Christmas stamps have become a tradition dear to our hearts – and a joyful sign that the holidays are almost upon us. Once again this year, Canadians can make their mail merrier with their choice of stamps bearing either sacred or secular imagery.
This year’s sacred issue, designed by Louise Méthé, showcases The Adoration of the Shepherds, a vibrant oil-on-panel painting housed at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Attributed to Italian artist Tommaso di Stefano Lunetti (c. 1495-1564), this carefully composed masterpiece was based on Luke’s gospel, in which angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds, who then rushed from their fields to find their newborn saviour.
OTTAWA – Depuis 1964, les Canadiens comptent sur Postes Canada pour orner leur courrier des Fêtes de jolis timbres aux motifs symboliques. Cette tradition a séduit nos cœurs et les vignettes sont un rappel agréable de l’arrivée de Noël. Cette année encore, nous pouvons égayer nos envois de timbres consacrés à des thèmes religieux ou profane.
la rencontre de leur jeune sauveur.
Tara Murray, the chief librarian at the American Philatelic Research Library for the past seven years, is leaving for another position outside philately, but it appears the nation’s largest philatelic library will be in good hands.
TORONTO – For the first time ever, Canada Post has adhered a miniature fabric crest to a stamp – to mark the 100th year anniversary of the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the most storied teams in the National Hockey League®. The commemorative issue also includes both a booklet of 10 new silver logo stamps and a coil of 50 puck-shaped stamps in Maple Leaf blue.
be the golden era of hockey. It has more inductees in the players’ category of the Hockey Hall of Fame than any other Original Six™ team, and is among the most valuable franchises in the NHL.
The special fabric crest stamp (right), available only as a commemorative souvenir sheet, depicts the sweater worn by Maple Leafs captain Ted (Teeder) Kennedy during the 1949-50 NHL season, with the Leafs crest in fabric. Kennedy played centre for the Leafs between 1942-43 and 1956-57, captaining the team for eight years. He remains the youngest ever to suit up for the Leafs (he was 17) and the first, along with teammate Turk Broda, to win five Stanley Cup® Championships. 
Official First Day Covers (OFDCs) of all three stamps are available as a set. Stamps and related collectibles are currently available online at canadapost.ca/leafs100 or at post offices on October 24. 
The Toronto Maple Leafs issue was designed by Lionel Gadoury and Dave Hurds for Context Creative of Toronto. 
Canada Post is proud to be Canada’s storyteller through its national stamp program. Stamps capture and tell the stories of this country’s milestones and achievers – and its heritage. Over the years, Canada Post has issued scores of stamps commemorating Canada’s national winter sport. The first hockey-themed stamp was issued on January 23, 1956.
The silver logo domestic-rate stamp is available in a booklet of 10 for $8.50. A 50-stamp coil of the blue puck-shaped stamp is offered with a complementary puck-shaped dispenser. A fabric patch souvenir sheet comes in a collectible folder and sells for $5. Official First Day Covers (OFDCs) of all three stamps are available as a set for $9.70.
“Toronto Maple Leafs” and associated word marks and logos are trademarks of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment Partnership. © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
