A Victoria-based group of philatelic and numismatic businesses is expanding into Metro Vancouver with the acquisition of All Nations Stamp & Coin, one of British Columbia’s longest-running collectibles firms.
The group, which includes Weeda Stamps and Garden City Philatelic Auctions and is owned by Firmin Wyndels on Vancouver Island, has acquired All Nations Stamp & Coin from long-time dealer and auctioneer Brian Grant Duff.
The transition is intended to be seamless. All Nations will continue its tradition of weekly auctions, with Grant Duff remaining with the company during a transitional period. The retail location on Dunbar Street in Vancouver will remain open, alongside the Weeda Stamps and Garden City Philatelic Auctions premises on Princess Avenue in Victoria.
The year 2024 marked a significant milestone for All Nations, as the firm celebrated its 75th anniversary. At the same time, Grant Duff commemorated 40 years of operating stamp and coin businesses in Vancouver and Toronto.
According to Wyndels, the goal of the acquisition is to broaden services for collectors across British Columbia.
“Our objective is to accommodate collectors at every level, from beginner to advanced, and to provide access to a full range of buying and selling services,” he said.
Firmin Wyndels, owner of Weeda Stamps and Garden City Philatelic Auctions, has expanded his Victoria-based operation with the acquisition of Vancouver’s All Nations Stamp & Coin. (Photo submitted)
All Nations specializes in advising, appraisals, auction brokerage, auctions and the purchase of coins, stamps, banknotes, covers, postcards, military medals, sports cards, precious metals and paper ephemera. The firm’s 145th auction sale is scheduled for Saturday, March 16.
Grant Duff’s career in the hobby spans decades. According to information on the company’s website, he began collecting stamps at age seven and was running a stamp approval business by 14. At 18, he was working full time for Eaton & Son in both Vancouver and Toronto. Over 40 years, he has bought, sold and auctioned Canadian and worldwide stamps, collections and postal history, assisting collectors of all levels in building and refining their holdings.
He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Sarah, and their children, Thor and Sheila. Among his personal collecting interests are vintage postcards featuring stamps and coins.
Collectors are encouraged to explore the weekly auction sales at All Nations, the monthly sales at Weeda Stamps and the larger specialized auctions offered by Garden City Philatelic Auctions. All companies currently have sales available online.
Collectors unfamiliar with Wyndels and his companies are invited to contact him at firmin@weeda.com. Those wishing to congratulate Grant Duff on his retirement from ownership may reach him at collect@direct.ca.