For only the second time ever, the annual convention of The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC) is coming to New Brunswick, where members of “Canada’s national stamp club” are slated to gather for the much-anticipated show.
To be held September 20-22 in the capital of Fredericton, the 2024 Royal Convention will be hosted by the local Fredericton and Disrict Stamp Club (RPSC Chapter 148).
“Our club’s members are quite varied in their collections,” said Dianne Earl, president of the Fredericton club. “We have very specialized collectors, award-winning collectors and members that collect worldwide.”
Previously, Fredericton has only played host to the Royal once – in 1999 – but more recently, it also held the annual convention of the British North America Philatelic Society (also known as BNAPEX) in 2016. However, the club was all set to host the 2020 Royal, however, it had to be cancelled during to COVID-19.
“We have a strong organizing committee,” said convention chair Rob Lunn, who’s a Fellow of The RPSC and a member of the Fredericton club. “All were involved in the BNAPEX show in 2016, so there is a lot of experience there. A few were also involved in our 1999 Royal Convention.”
Royal*2020*Royale chair Rob Lunn (left) was named a Fellow of The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada last June. He’s chairing this year’s convention in Fredericton.
Building on the “very positive feedback” from BNAPEX 2016, Lunn said he’s eager to bring the Royal back to the Maritimes.
“The Atlantic Canadian hospitality and experience, I think, is a big reason for that. We go out of our way to make should everyone has a great time and gets a feel for what Atlantic Canada is all about.”
This year, “Royal*2020*Royale” will be held at the Fredericton Inn on 1315 Regent St., in the uptown neighbourhood.
The national-level exhibition – part of the American Philatelic Society’s “World Series of Philately” – will see about 150 frames of competitive exhibits. The deadline for applications is May 1, and fees are $25 for multi-frame exhibits, $30 for single-frame exhibits and free for youth exhibits.
The jury will be chaired by Jim Taylor, of Calgary, who will be joined by Jane Sodero, of Halifax; Stéphane Cloutier, of Ottawa; Tim Bartshe, of Colorado; and Ian McMahon, of Australia.
Contact Lunn at fredstampclub@gmail.com for more information.
