January 15, 2004
ROYAL CONVENTION SCHEDULED FOR HALIFAX IN MAY

The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada will hold its 76th national convention at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 28-30, 2004.

Hosted by the Nova Scotia Stamp Club, ROYAL * 2004 * ROYALE will mark the second time in five years for the ROYAL in the Maritime Provinces. Fredericton, New Brunswick hosted the 1999 National Philatelic Exhibition.

It will be only the third ROYAL ever in the region. Halifax hosted ROYAL * 1965 * ROYALE when highly respected collector the late Senator Henry Hicks was chair.

Michael Peach, Chairman for ROYAL * 2004 * ROYALE, says "preparations are proceeding well for the May exhibition and bourse."

Peach says Halifax is "one of the oldest cities in Canada, so there are many tourist attractions within the city and the world-famous Peggy's Cove is only an hour's drive away."

All the tourist attractions, however, will not deter stamp collectors' intentions to attend a "first class" stamp show. The agenda is packed with activities, not only the business meetings of The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada, but numerous seminars/presentations, a stamp launch, and an extensive bourse with at least 30 dealers.

The stamp launch will feature a Canada Post new issue commemorating the heads of two great shipping lines Sir Hugh Allan (Montreal) and Sir Samuel Cunard (Halifax). One of the seminars will have a speaker from the Page and Wood design group of Halifax that was responsible for creating the stamps.

Cimon Morin, head of the Canadian Postal Archives, will look at "Philatelic research using the National Library of Canada and the Archives Canada web site." Other confirmed speakers include Gordon Milne on "Fun Ways to Collect Great Britain", and Julia Landry on "Conservation Notes for Postal History Collectors."

Chairman Peach said the committee is "working to make this a memorable show." Halifax will have everything for the collector.

Charles J.G. Verge of Ottawa, President of The RPSC, is "looking forward to Halifax." He said "it is important to move our conventions to communities around the country because it gives all collectors an opportunity to see a major show, and it encourages them to travel to future shows."

Peach also looks for the "many Maritimers across Canada to make ROYAL * 2004 * ROYALE an excuse for visiting the Maritimes again."

The tentative program, and registration forms for ROYAL * 2004 * ROYALE are available from the web site at www.nsstampclub.ca or by mail from Michael Peach, ROYAL * 2004 * ROYALE, Box 2004 - 10-118 Wyse Road, Dartmouth, NS B3A 1N7.

Information on The RPSC can be had by e-mail at info@rpsc.org or by visiting the Society's website at www.rpsc.org, or by calling 416-979-8874, toll free 1-888-285-4143.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Michael O. Nowlan 506-357-2698
Steven Kendall 416-979-8874