Smith, Derek (2009). Transatlantic Stampless Mails to and from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, 1757 to 1859.

Derek Smith’s ‘Transatlantic Stampless Mails to and from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island 1757 to 1859’ exhibit studies the mail services between Europe and the three present “Maritime” provinces of British North America – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island – from 1757 until 1859. The exhibit specifically excludes mail to or from the Canadas – Upper and Lower – which merely passed through Halifax en route.The age of ‘stampless’ transatlantic mails actually extends into the era of postage stamps. The exhibit covers postal rates and rate changes throughout the period and notes the ships which carried the mails on each crossing. Included are variants of normal postal routes and special rates, including FREE mail, soldier’s and seaman’s mail, as well as re-rated and re-routed mail. Also covered are unusual events such as perils at sea, winter routings via Bermuda, and ‘maiden voyages’ of some of the new Cunard ships.Derek Smith was born in Saint John, New Brunswick. He attended the University of New Brunswick, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1958, and then in 1959 a M.B.A. from the University of California (Berkeley). From university, he joined Investors Group. His career was centered on investment analysis and portfolio management of Japanese and European mutual funds. He became the General Manager of the company’s new investment management operations in Dublin, Ireland in 1993, and retired in 2000.A member of BNAPS for almost 30 years, Derek’s roots in the port city of Saint John resulted in his philatelic collecting being centered on the postal history and, lately, post cards of Saint John. It is only since his retirement that he has become an exhibitor, which has enhanced every aspect of his philatelic activity and knowledge. In 2003 his interests expanded in the direction of Transatlantic mail to and from the Maritime provinces. His first exhibit, shown at Novapex 2006 in Halifax, was awarded a gold medal and the Ken C. MacDonald Postal History Award for research. With approximately 20% new material, revision of the text and re-organization into a 6-frame format, it was awarded a gold medal at Royal*2007*Royale in Toronto. After further refinement, at BNAPEX 2008 NOVAPEX in Halifax the exhibit received a gold medal and was one of three awarded equally the Allan Steinhart Reserve Grand Award.