North America’s ‘most fun stamp collecting show’ joins biggest U.S. show
The American First Day Cover Society (AFDCS), the world’s largest non-profit organization of first-day cover (FDC) collectors, will hold its Americover 2020 stamp and cover show in conjunction with the American Philatelic Society (APS) StampShow 2020 in Hartford, Conn. on Aug. 20-23.
All the familiar features that make an Americover show special will be included: there will be a strong emphasis on FDC exhibits; dealers specializing in FDCs; a pre-show tour of sites and attractions in the Hartford area; a post-show dinner; the AFDCS President’s Banquet; announcement of the annual cachet contest winners; a hospitality suite; FDC auctions; and a busy program of meetings and seminars.
“The AFDCS hopes to share the fun of Americover with the larger audience that attends StampShow, while taking advantage of all that a large convention center show has to offer,” said Americover programming chair Foster Miller. “We look forward to a successful joint show in 2020.”
A PERFECT ARRANGEMENT
Throughout the past decade, the Americover show has often been held the weekend before or after StampShow, allowing collectors to take a “road trip” between the two events; however, some could not afford the time or money to go to both shows. This arrangement solves that problem for 2020.
The agreement between the AFDCS and APS—announced at AmeriStamp Expo in Birmingham, Al. on Feb. 24—is only for 2020. It is similar to the agreement between the APS and the American Topical Association for 2018, when StampShow and the National Topical Stamp Show will be held jointly in Columbus, Ohio on Aug. 9-12.
The AFDCS has been holding its own standalone show and convention continuously since 1992. The event’s name was changed to “Americover” the following year. It is held in a different part of the country each year.
Americover 2018 is being held in the Atlanta area on Aug. 3-5.
Last year’s show was held near Cleveland, and next year’s show will be held in Saint Louis.
The Americover exhibitions have enjoyed full World Series of Philately status since 2005 and emphasize exhibits with predominantly FDC.
For more information on any of the Americover shows, visit the AFDCS website at afdcs.org/show, e-mail showinfo@afdcs.org or write to PO Box 16277, Tucson, AZ 85732-6277.