January 22, 2001
Canadian Philatelist to the Newsstands in 2001

(Toronto, ON) Charles J.G. Verge, FRSC, President of The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC), has announced that the Society's bi-monthly journal, The Canadian Philatelist, will go to the newsstands in 2001.

Verge says, "This initiative should be revenue neutral." The RPSC President is not so much concerned with making money as with "the advantage it will create to bring in new members." The newsstand distribution will be for an 18-month period with a Society review after 12 months.

The newsstand distribution will be on a selected basis, and not universal across the country. This experiment will be co-ordinated by Trajan Publishing, the publishers of Canadian Stamp News and other hobby-related newspapers. All advertising for The Canadian Philatelist will also become the responsibility of Trajan Publishing in 2001. Trajan can be reached at 103 Lakeshore Road, Suite 202, St. Catharines, ON, L2N 2T6; telephone: 905-646-7744.

Verge also said that free distribution of The Canadian Philatelist will continue at selected Canada Post philatelic outlets. This pilot project has been in effect since the May-June 2000 issue. Verge hopes it will be "another way to attract new members."

As President of Canada's national organization for stamp collectors, Verge wants to build a "strong membership to enhance the hobby and become an authoritative voice." Although stamp collectors often do not "join" clubs or societies, Verge considers "if we make good philatelic literature available, it will have results."

As The Canadian Philatelist takes aim at being the journal of choice among collectors in Canada, Verge will soon make an announcement that a new editor will take over duties with the May-June 2001 issue. Verge saluted the work of present editor Bill Pekonen, who, as an interim editor, "brought new writers to The Canadian Philatelist, got the journal back on schedule, and maintained that schedule."

"Bill Pekonen," he said, "has done great work for The RPSC, and he has set a standard for future editors."

The RPSC website can be found at www.rpsc.org. Further information on membership may be obtained from Andrew Parr, Executive Director, P.O. Box 929, Station Q, Toronto, ON M4T 2P1.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Michael O. Nowlan 506-357-2698
Carol S. Law 416-979-8874