Conversations with Philatelists

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Michael Cortese of NobleSpirit and Charles Epting of HR Harmer interview philatelists around the world. Collectors, Dealers, Exhibitioners, Enthusiasts, and Researchers. Join us as we speak with some of the most interesting people in the world of philately, and talk about the journeys that stamps have taken them on.

Michael Cortese & Charles Epting


    • Nov 27, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 112 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Conversations with Philatelists

    Ep. 100 NobleSpirit | Interview with Brian Howard Executive Director of the Spellman Museum

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2023 8:15


    Brian Howard is the newly appointed Executive Director of the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History in Weston, MA. We chat with him about his previous museum experience, how he has adapted to the Spellman thus far, and his plans going forward for the museum. https://spellmanmuseum.org/

    Ep. 99 NobleSpirit | Todd Gantzer and Leven Parker: Forecasting the Future of Philatelic Social Media

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2023 47:28


    Join Michael Cortese, NobleSpirit, as he and guest Co-Host Todd Gantzer talk to Leven Parker about the success of his philatelic TicTok channel. Leven walks us through his thoughts on presenting philately and postal history to an outside audience and using the tools philatelists have to captivate and engage. Follow Leven on TicTok: @leven_parker

    Ep. 98 NobleSpirit|Steven Unkrich and Victor Livesay: Spotting Washington Franklin Fakes

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2023 49:20


    With Steven Unkrich and Victor Livesay joining in, we discuss the best ways to spot fake Washington Franklin stamps, different printing methods, and more! Sources: Stamp Printing Methods - https://stampsmarter.org/learning/Man... Stamp Perforations - https://www.les-wilkinson.co.uk/artic... Double Impression Errors - https://findyourstampsvalue.com/helpf... Early Rotary Perforation Machine - https://postalmuseum.si.edu/collectio... How to Detect Damaged, Altered and Repaired Stamps by Paul W. Schmid - https://www.amazon.com/Detect-Damaged... Bluish Paper Examples and More - https://www.theswedishtiger.com/US-St... More Stamp Examples - https://www.usphila.com/ and https://www.noblespirit.com/past-sales Historical Photos - https://picryl.com/ Historical Footage - https://www.historicfilms.com/ and https://www.criticalpast.com/ Kiusalas Gauge - https://www.usca.nl/wp-content/upload...   Email Steven Unkrich to Purchase a Gauge - sunkrich01@gmail.com

    Ep. 97 Bill Crowe at The Spellman Museum: Live Expertizing Event Sponsored by NobleSpirit (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2023 65:03


    On December 3rd, 2022, US expert William T Crowe reviewed material at the Spellman Museum brought in by members and other guests to offer "on the battle field" opinions regarding authenticity and condition. In a first of many event, sponsored by NobleSpirit, these events look to bring collectors more in touch with the way they examine stamps and inform collectors on how to make better buying decisions. For more information on the Spellman Museum and events like this one please visit: https://spellmanmuseum.org/

    Ep. 96 Bill Crowe at The Spellman Museum: Live Expertizing Event Sponsored by NobleSpirit (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2023 69:24


    On December 3rd, 2022, US expert William T Crowe reviewed material at the Spellman Museum brought in by members and other guests to offer "on the battle field" opinions regarding authenticity and condition. In a first of many event, sponsored by NobleSpirit, these events look to bring collectors more in touch with the way they examine stamps and inform collectors on how to make better buying decisions. For more information on the Spellman Museum and events like this one please visit: https://spellmanmuseum.org/

    Ep. 96 Bill Crowe at The Spellman Museum: Live Expertizing Event Sponsored by NobleSpirit (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2022 69:19


    On December 3rd, 2022, US expert William T Crowe reviewed material at the Spellman Museum brought in by members and other guests to offer "on the battle field" opinions regarding authenticity and condition. In a first of many event, sponsored by NobleSpirit, these events look to bring collectors more in touch with the way they examine stamps and inform collectors on how to make better buying decisions. For more information on the Spellman Museum and events like this one please visit: https://spellmanmuseum.org/

    Ep. 95 Peter Clyde: Lazels & Admiring Stamps as Art

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2022 46:38


    This week Charles and Michael speak with Peter Clyde, founder of Lazels, creating high end miniature puzzles out of titanium. With an interest in philately, this past week Peter launched a 1:1 replica titanium puzzle of the Great Britain 1929 "Post Union Congress" stamp. We talk to Peter about the idea behind the company, the exclusivity and inherent collectibility of his limited releases, and his ideas for future puzzles. Please visit Lazels at Lazels.com

    Ep. 94 Franz Fedra: Philasearch

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2022 38:30


    This week we speak with Franz Fedra, the owner and founder of Philasearch, Numisearch, and Antiquesearch. Providing customers all over the world with the ability to search, bid, and buy stamps and collectibles from respected dealers and auction houses.   To view philasearch please go to https://www.philasearch.com/en.

    Ep. 93 Isobel Klempka: From the Show Floor of Stampex 2022!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2022 24:19


    This quick mini episode features Isobel Klempka as she tours the Stampex 2022 floor at the end of day one. Isobel discusses What the main attraction sare of this year's Stampex, the new additions to the show, and what to expect in the future. Stampex 2022 takes place at the Business Design Centre in London from September 28th to October 1st. Be sure to visit in person or view their website!   The Stampex Website: https://www.stampexinternational.com/   The PTS Website: https://www.thepts.net/

    show floor business design centre
    Ep. 92 Jean Wang: Thematic Collecting

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2022 64:33


    Returning after a short hiatus, Charles and Michael speak with Jean Wang about the difference between Topical collecting and Thematic collecting, her award winning thematic Blood exhibit, the importance of joining organized philately, and a few stories from her time on the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee.   To view Jean's collection on Stampboards please visit: https://stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=54101

    Ep. 91 North Toronto Stamp Club Meeting

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2022 44:00


    This week's episode is an airing of the speech given at the North Toronto Stamp Club meeting at Capex on June 11th, 2022.

    Ep: 90 Detecting counterfeit USPS Forever Stamps with Wayne Youngblood

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2022 50:57


    In this episode Michael Cortese, NobleSpirit, and Charles Epting, HR Harmer, speak with Wayne Youngblood as he discusses exactly what you need to look out for to ensure that you're not being scammed by counterfeit stamps. This episode acts as a part two of the November 22nd episode on counterfeit USPS Forever stamps.   Part 1: https://youtu.be/qCL72466_NQ

    Ep. 89: Roger Kirby: The Swedish Tiger

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2022 64:11


    This week we speak with Roger Kirby, creator and keeper of the website TheSwedishTiger.com, a popular philatelic resource. Roger discusses the idea behind The Swedish Tiger, the various iterations of the website over the years, how content is created for the site, and his plans for its future. Visit www.TheSwedishTiger.com

    Ep. 88: Jay Bigalke: Editor in Chief of Scott Catalogue on the New Catalogue Subscription model

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2022 44:32


    In our first episode back after the break, we talk with Jay Bigalke of Amos Media to discuss the decision behind the new Scott subscription model and what improvements they have made over the previous digital catalogue.

    Ep. 87 Stamp Active Live from London 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 34:46


    Today we chat with Ralph Stuttard and John Davies from the Stamp Active organization in the UK about their time at the London 2022 International Stamp Show and the history of the organization. Stamp Active is a voluntary organization which promotes stamp collecting for young people in the UK. Stamp Active can be found at Stampactive.co.uk

    Ep. 86: Suzanne Rae & Isobel Klempka live at the London 2022 Stamp Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 25:46


    We talk with Suzanne Rae, Managing Director of the PTS, and Isobel Klempka, the PR and Marketing Consultant for the PTS & the Stampex Show, about the London 2022 International Stamp Show. https://www.london2022.co/

    Ep. 85 Revisiting Philatelic NFTs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 44:10


    This week we take another look at Philatelic NFTs as they gain traction within the community.

    Ep. 84 Authentication and the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2022 36:42


    Charles and Michael discuss recent announcements made by eBay on their authentication service, what this means for the future of collectibles, and how it could impact the philatelic marketplace.

    January 26th, 2022 Livestream

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2022 27:06


    Ep. 83: 2021 Year in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2022 41:31


    Michael and Charles reflect back on some of their favorite interviews of the year.

    Ep. 82: Dr. Gregg Redner: Olympic Philately

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 50:16


    Dr. Gregg Redner discusses his passion for collecting Olympic stamps.

    Ep. 81: The Philatelic History of the Sununu Family

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2021 48:06


    Michael and Charles talk to former White House Chief of Staff to George H.W. Bush, John H. Sununu, and former New Hampshire Senator John E. Sununu, about their deep rooted family history in philately, how the family collection has evolved over the years, and what stamp collecting means to them.

    Ep. 80: Latest Updates from the PTS

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2021 26:27


    Isobel Klempka and Suzanne Rae discuss all the latest news of the Philatelic Traders' Society, including the latest Stampex and this year's upcoming PTS awards.   https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3BSTTRN

    Ep. 79: Debunking Online Stamp Scams (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 24:43


    Michael and Charles expose an online fraudulent stamp ring that targets people on Instagram and other social media channels.

    Ep. 78: Interview with Tobi Huylmans

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 30:59


    Michael, Charles, and Tobi Huylmans discuss the semantics between commemorative vs. definitive issues, and philatelic vs. non-philatelic covers.

    Ep. 77: Andrii Shapovalov: StampDAQ on Crypto Stamps

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 57:21


    Andrii Shapovalov discusses the introduction of StampDAQ to the philatelic marketplace, what it could mean for the future, and how philately might be effected by this drive forward into a more digital market.

    Ep. 76: Interview with Olivia Gilmer & Kaylee Cortese

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 49:05


    Charles and Michael talk to their significant others about their experiences on the outside of the philatelic world looking in, including their experiences at shows and how organized philately can improve its outreach.

    Ep. 75: Rob Faux: Postal History Sunday

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2021 50:27


    Rob Faux talks about his introduction to philately, the work that goes into his Postal History Sunday blog, and the importance of accuracy when publishing research online.

    Ep. 74: ”Special Delivery”: Revisiting Portrayals of Postal Workers in Decades Past

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2021 52:26


    In this special episode of CwP, Charles and Michael watch and discuss the 1927 film "Special Delivery" starring Eddie Cantor. Then compare and contrast the way Postal Workers were portrayed in early films compared to cinema or shows of the past 3 decades.

    Ep. 73: How To Assess and Break Down a Stamp Collection

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 35:01


    Michael walks viewers through how to sort through and break down a stamp collection for sale.

    Live with Isobel and Suzanne at Stampex 2021!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2021 26:16


    Michael and Charles are joined LIVE by Isobel Klempka and Suzzane Rae, Chairman of the PTS, while they are on the floor of Stampex 2021! https://www.stampexinternational.co.uk/ https://www.museumofphilately.com/  

    Ep. 72: How To Describe Philatelic Material

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2021 38:45


    Charles walks us through his process for describing individual items to list them for sale.

    Ep: 71 Ryan McCullough from MandRproductions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2021 77:12


    Charles and Michael talk to Ryan from MandRproductions on YouTube about the similarities between Lego collectors and Philatelists, how engaged kids are with collecting of all kinds, and scarcity vs value. Ryan's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/MandRproductions

    Ep 70: Jack Preuveneers on UK Youth Philately

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2021 39:13


    Michael Cortese and Charles Epting of Conversations With Philatelists interview Jack Preuveneers.   Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/x6EyxJzc

    youth philately
    Ep. 69: Upcoming Auction Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 69:22


    Michael and Charles offer in-depth previews of their upcoming auctions.  NobleSpirit Auctions: https://www.noblespirit.com/upcoming FDCs: https://www.noblespirit.com/denverfdc Dr. Sarath Reddy Collection of British and World: https://www.noblespirit.com/reddy HR Harmer Fine Stamp Auctions: https://hrharmer.com/en/home#  Sale #3047: The Dr. Gary B. Nash Collection of British Commonwealth: https://hrharmer.com/en/_auctions/&action=showLots&auctionID=40&catalogPart=145&show_all_lots=1  Sale #3049: The Bedford Collection Part II - British Commonwealth: https://hrharmer.com/en/_auctions/&action=showLots&auctionID=40&catalogPart=146&show_all_lots=1

    Ep. 68: CwP Presents: Cardboard Culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2021 50:29


    Michael and Charles discuss stamp collecting on the podcast Cardboard Culture.

    Ep. 67: On Location at the Great American Stamp Show 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2021 30:06


    Michael and Charles go on location at the Great American Stamp Show 2021 in Chicago and interview a number of participants, including exhibit award winner Vince King, Scott Tiffney of the APRL, Director of Expertizing Ken Martin, and fellow philatelic content creator Daniel Mallard.

    Livestream #9 – August 20th, 2021: Great American Stamp Show Debrief

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2021 26:35


    Join Charles and Michael as they debrief Chicago's 2021 Great American Stamp Show, talk about upcoming shows, and interact with the livestream comments. 

    Ep. 66: Great American Stamp Show 2021: Tiffany Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 27:27


    Michael and Charles deliver the annual Tiffany Talk at the Great American Stamp Show 2021 in Chicago. 

    Ep. 66: Great American Stamp Show 2021: Tiffany Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 27:27


    Michael and Charles deliver the annual Tiffany Talk at the Great American Stamp Show 2021 in Chicago. 

    Ep. 65: On Location at Westpex 2021: Day 2 & 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2021 46:37


    Michael and Charles go on location to report on day 1 and 2 of the Westpex 2021 stamp show, interviewing a number of dealers, auction houses, collectors, and the Westpex bourse chairman, Gordon Eubanks.

    Ep. 64: On Location at Westpex 2021: Day 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2021 17:57


    Michael and Charles go on location at the Westpex stamp show 2021. Coverage of the first day includes show setup, and interviews with Elliot Gruber of the Smithsonian, and Scott English of the APS.

    Ep. 63: Jesse Robitaille: Editor of Canadian Stamp News

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 40:31


    Jesse Robitaille, Editor of Canadian Stamp News discusses his predictions for the forthcoming trends of philatelic news networks, ​the close-knit community throughout Canadian philately, and how he finds information amongst archives and other resources.

    Livestream #7 – July 30th, 2021: Live from Westpex

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2021 21:01


    Michael and Charles report live from Westpex in San Francisco. 

    Ep. 62: Mark Rosenberg: CEO and Founder of HipStamp

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2021 38:07


    Mark Rosenberg discusses the motivation behind the founding of Hipstamp, and how the platform differs from other philatelic commerce sites.

    Livestream #6 – July 22nd, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2021 38:15


    Michael and Charles speak with Lawrence Haber to discuss the latest news about the Collectors Club of NY. 

    Ep. 61: Peter Congreve: The Philatelist as Social Historian

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2021 69:15


    Peter Congreve discusses how he researches the rich history behind philatelic items in order to piece together entire genealogies and family stories, and shares a few examples of the most fascinating stories he's dug up.

    Livestream #5 – July 16th, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2021 36:57


    Special Guest Graham Beck of Exploring Stamps joins Michael and Charles for the 5th segment of their Livestream Philatelic News Channel. Topics discussed include Season 4 of Exploring Stamps, the winners of the APS Luff Awards, the return of APS Stamp Chats, Collector's Club of NY 125th Anniversary, and Robert Siegel selling the famous vacuum cleaner Inverted Jenny position 78.

    Ep.60: Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers: On Philately's Cultural Impact

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2021 39:38


    Pat Simmons, Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductee and founder of the Doobie Brothers, discusses his introduction to philately from a young age, how collecting shaped his world view, and shares some philatelic stories from around the world while on tour.

    Philatelic News Livestream #4 July 9th, 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2021


    Michael and Charles continue their weekly philatelic news livestream every week at 11AM EST. 

    Ep. 59: Westpex 2021 Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021 59:34


    Join Michael and Charles as they invite Westpex board members Gordon Eubanks, Vesma Grinfelds, Edie Eggen, Behruz Nassre to discuss the upcoming Westpex 2021 show. They discuss what the show's precautions will look like as we slowly exit the pandemic, the excitement from philatelists as we return to physical shows, and numerous talks from well known philatelists on a varieties of subjects. Westpex 2021 takes place from July 30th to August 1st at The San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront.

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