WELCOME TO STEVE HADDOCK'S TORONTO STAMP COLLECTING RESOURCES!
Click above to go to the City of Toronto website
Click above to go to the City of Toronto website
Whether you live in the City of the CN Tower and the Skydome, or you're just planning a visit, it is one of the richest sources of stamp resources in North America. Here are some places to hang out on your visit, but do try to visit some of our other wonderful attractions too!
Regrettably, this site is limited by my meager time and resources. If you have something else to be added, or the information herein is incorrect or out of date, please e-mail me.
Unfortunately an endangered species all over North America, but some first-class establishments still operate within the city limits. Most of the operating stamp stores are within walking distance of each other downtown, or within a couple of miles of each other in West Toronto. The suburbs used to have a few not too long ago, but they have withered away due to galloping costs of commercial leasing. Still, the following should be around for a long time, although many of them have moved in the last few years to avoid redevelopment of their properties. Stamp stores generally charge premium prices for stamps, but many are open six days a week so you don't have to hunt them down.
ARCADE STAMPS - 10 King Street East, 3rd floor. The Arcade recently had to move from its location of decades due to redevelopment. Features new issues and a great selection of mint topicals. Good for supplies too. Sells coins as well. Also offers reasonably priced appraisals. No longer open on weekends.
GEORGE S. WEGG LIMITED - 1516 Danforth Avenue in the Hollywood Canteen (close to Coxwell subway). Another victim of high downtown rents, this downtown stalwart now shares space with a movie memorabilia shop in East Toronto. The namesake passed away a few years ago, but his successors carry on a fine tradition. Caters more to the classic collector with a large stock of classic Canada and Europe. Boxes and boxes of covers and postcards too. Also has the best stock of philatelic literature in the city. Supplies are hit or miss every once in a while, but they try to keep a good stock on hand. Appraisals available too.
BAY STAMP & COINS - Atrium on Bay, across from the post office, ground level near the Dundas Street entrance, just west of Yonge Street (you can reach it underground from the Dundas subway station). Formerly the Toronto branch of Darnell's. Used to be in the Eaton's department store before they decided to divest themselves of just about anything that wasn't clothing. The new location is a couple of blocks north in a new, clean, well lit location. Not a lot of stamps on hand and their stock of supplies can be spotty at times. Apparently phonecards and coins have the bigger markup. However, reasonable prices on supplies they do have in stock (they also special order) and very handy for the downtown crowd.
Government cutbacks being what they are, you either have to go downtown or call the Philatelic Centre in Antigonish, NS. Gone are the counters in Don Mills and Scarborough. Maybe you can find a friendly clerk to help you at one of the dozens of privately run postal outlets. Still, if you're looking for new issues, first day covers, or something to frame and put on the wall, you can get some seriously immediate gratification. I find that First Canadian Place is generally friendlier than the Atrium, but I tend to go to the Atrium at peak hours. At present, neither of the downtown counters are open on weekends or holidays.
FIRST CANADIAN PLACE - Basement level, near the Adelaide Street Entrance (In the PATH underground complex - you can reach it from King, Union or St. Andrew subway stations, but it's best to ask for directions)
THE ATRIUM ON BAY - Ground level near the Dundas Street Entrance (can be reached underground from the Dundas subway station)
MISSISSAUGA SQUARE ONE - Highway 10 & 403, Mississauga. Never actually visited it, but its the only one in the Greater Toronto Area that's not downtown.
The following come highly recommended. They have regular office hours, are friendly, and if you're loved one passed away leaving a collection behind, they should be the first ones to call. Most of them would be glad to come for a visit to see a large holding. Toronto is particularly rich in auction houses, but two have closed down or left town in the last few years so I hope these guys hang around a mite longer.
JIM A. HENNOK LTD. - 185 Queen Street East of Yonge St. (Queen Subway and long walk east or take the Street Car to Jarvis) - Large permanent building with auctions about once every two months. Features Canada and postal history. (416) 363-7757.
R. MARESCH & SON - 330 Bay Street, Suite 703. Another auction house of long standing featuring Canada, Commonwealth and Foreign. Auctions about once every two months. (416) 595-9800.
JOHN H. TALMAN LIMITED - 211 Yonge Street (Queen Subway, use the north exit and its in the building by the east exit). Also a cluttered retail shop, but one of the favourite auction stops for bargain hunters. Lots of large lots at lower prices. Auctions about once every two months. (416) 363-9997.
QUEEN CITY AUCTIONS - A part time auction house run by a stamp dealer and a lawyer. Auctions about once every three months. Lots of variety and quite a few reasonably priced lots. A favourite among the bourse dealer crowd.(416) 483-7325.
The backbone of the hobby. Toronto features several thriving clubs. Most welcome visitors and a number are organized enough to throw an annual party. Most also have sales circuits. Most are closed during the summer.
EAST TORONTO STAMP CLUB - Meets on alternate Tuesday mornings at the Stan Wadlow Park Club House, behind East York Arena, Cosburn & Cosgrove Streets, east of Woodbine Avenue. 9:30 a.m.
ETOBICOKE PHILATELIC SOCIETY - Meets the first Wednesday of every month (Sept.-June) at the Fairfield Centre, 80 Lothian Way, Etobicoke. 7:30 p.m.
NORTH YORK PHILATELIC SOCIETY - Meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month (Sept.-June, 3rd Weds. only July-Aug.) Centennial Arena, north side of Finch Ave. W., west of Bathurst St. 6:30 p.m. Annual Exhibition June 10 at the Goulding Community Centre, west of Yonge off of Goulding Avenue (between Finch & Steeles)
NORTH TORONTO STAMP CLUB - Meetings 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month (except July and August), 7:30 p.m. in the Edwards Garden, civic Garden Centre, 777 Lawrence Ave. East (at Leslie Street), Don Mills, ON. Sales Circuit, auctions, speakers. Visitors always welcome. Contact: Herb Letsche, PO Box 341, Don Mills, ON M3C 2S7 (416) 445-7720.
SCARBOROUGH STAMP CLUB - Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday, September to June at 7pm at Cedarbrook Community Centre. Contact Don Beaumont, 22 Gregson Street, Ajax, ON L1T 3Z9.
TORONTO HARMONIE STAMP CLUB - Meets on the first Monday of the month, except July and August, at 7:30 p.m. in a member's house. New members or visitors are always welcome. For further information, call Jake Doehler at 416-438-4862, e-mail [email protected]
WEST TORONTO STAMP CLUB - Meets second, third and fourth Tuesdays (except July and August), 7:30 pm at Fairfield Seniors' Centre, 80 Lothian Ave., Etobicoke, (Bloor/Islington area). Auctions, dealers, speakers, study group, annual exhibition. Visitors always welcome. Contact c/o Garfield Portch, 4894 Dundas St. West, Islington, ON M9A 1B5.
GREATER TORONTO AREA PHILATELIC ALLIANCE (GTAPA) - The new umbrella organization for Greater Toronto Area clubs. Still in its infancy, it is now the de facto bulletin publisher for all its member clubs. In the future, it is planning an annual show for all the area clubs.
INSURANCE AND BANKING PHILATELIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN - CANADIAN BRANCH
Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (except July, August and December) at 6:00pm. Location: BCE Place, 161 Bay Street, 29th floor at the premises of Canaccord Capital Corporation. Contact: Don Peach, Secretary of the I&BPSGB/CB, 83 Nymark Avenue, Toronto, ON M2J 2H1.
AJAX PHILATELIC SOCIETY - Meets 2nd and 4th Thursday, September to June at the Ajax Public Library, 65 Harwood Ave. S., from 6pm to 9pm. Contact Steve Warcop, 1511 Silver Spruce Dr., Pickering, ON L1V 5G9. (416) 875-6446.
BRAMALEA STAMP CLUB - Meets 1st Sunday October to June inclusive (2:00-4:00 pm) and 3rd Tuesday year round (7:30-9:30 p.m.) at Terry Miller Recreation Complex, Williams Parkway (between Dixie Rd. and Bramalea Rd.) Brampton, Ont. Visitors welcome. Correspondence: Bramalea Stamp Club, Box 92531, Bramalea ON L6W 4R1.
CREDIT VALLEY PHILATELIC SOCIETY - Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month (except on holidays and in July and August) at 7:00 pm at Port Credit Library, 20 Port Street East, Port Credit. Visitors always welcome. Contact Bob Laker, 903-1800 The Collegeway, Mississauga, ON L5L 5S4.
Toronto hosts the most large stamp shows of any city in Canada. Dozens of dealers, Youth Booths, and the occasional exhibit.
CANADIAN STAMP DEALERS ASSOCIATION - Two Toronto shows a year, generally at the Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, in Spring and Fall. Next show November 7-9, 2008. Fri. 11-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4.
UNIPEX - Show run by stamp supply dealer Unitrade Associates at the Rameses Shrine Temple on Keele Street south of Sheppard Avenue in Downsview, generally the second weekend in January.
Regrettably, only one dealer bourse is regularly held, although the North Toronto Stamp Club is organizing bi-monthly bourses along with its regular annual show.
POSTAGE STAMP SHOW AT THE ST. BONAVENTURE CHURCH - St. Bonaventure Church, 1200 Leslie St. south of Lawrence Ave. E. Held about once every 2-3 weeks.
Details as they become available. Unfortunately, none of the philatelic groups in Canada, collector or dealer, feels up to the responsiblility of organizing an international level show. We don't expect anything until after 2010.
This website is maintained by Steve Haddock, a part-time stamp dealer in Toronto. For more stamp collecting resources and details about his stamp business, please visit his commercial website. Thanks.