Stamp convention hits Victoria this weekend

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Serious stamp collectors won't be on a beach or park this long weekend. The British North America Philatelic Society is holding its annual convention in B.C.'s capital city.

These collectors get together for three days each year somewhere in North America. Victoria was chosen this time around and the theme of the meet-up will be "150 Years of Stamps in British Columbia."

Brian Grant Duff with "All Nations Stamp and Coin" in Vancouver says it's sort of like the Olympics for stamp enthusiasts. "Best thing about it is the exhibits where stamp collectors  from all over the world and postal historians competitively exhibit portions of their collections and are judged."

Along with examples of the first B.C. stamp, there'll be a large display of the world's first Christmas stamp issued in Canada in 1898 and material from the Riel Uprisings of 1869 and 1885.

The British North America Philatelic Society meeting runs Friday through Sunday at the Victoria Convention Centre, and $5 will get you through.