Memories from 40 years in the stamp and coin business
by Brian Grant Duff
1993: Elvis at Eaton’s
Dan was at PHILEX in Toronto when the U.S. Elvis stamp was released and managed to secure some for sale at our Eaton’s stamp and coin department. Most news media covered the sale and people were lined up for two weeks to buy sheets, blocks, t-shirts, and first day covers of the 29c Elvis stamps.
Our sales tripled that month. We were so busy even our moms came to help. Randy Elvis Friske was hired to give an Elvis tribute concert as part of our promotion. Eaton’s display staff loved it as it was the first Eaton’s store event in years. Store security had to recover a scarf that “Elvis” borrowed during his store walkabout.
We took a booth at the P.N.E. that Summer selling Elvis stamps from different countries and election year Cinderellas I had dreamed up as Stamp Poll ’93, featuring the then four federal party leaders on souvenir sheets and t-shirts.
Kim Campbell won the stamp poll and her family bought her cinderellas from me at the P.N.E. Campbell, Chretien, and McLaughlin sent thank you letters and Preston Manning’s team bought 20 t-shirts.
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Part 1 of Brian’s 40 years in the business can be found here
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