The American Philatelic Society (APS) StampShow 2017 opens later this week in Richmond, Va.
This year’s convention, which is being held on Aug. 3-6 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on 403 N. Third St., marks the 131st annual gathering of the APS. Each year, stamp collectors, exhibitors, historians and members of the public gather to socialize, increase philatelic knowledge and exchange various philatelic material. The show is free and open to the public.
This year, more than 100 dealers are slated to attend the bourse, which will be complemented by hundreds of society meetings and seminars; several live auctions; more than 600 frames of philatelic and literature exhibits; and first-day-of-issue ceremonies for new stamps.
According to APS President Mick Zais, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)—this year’s show sponsor—will have a “large presence” at the show.
CANADIAN PRESENCE
Among 100-plus dealers on the bourse will be several Canadians, including:
- Roy Houtby, owner of Roy’s Stamps in St. Catharines, Ont. (table 410);
- Sergio Sismondo, owner of The Classic Collector, which has an office in Ottawa (table 316); and
- Chris Carmichael, vice-president of Vance Auctions in Smithville, Ont. (table 607).
Among the Canadian exhibitors are:
- eight-year-old youth exhibitor Jack Nixon, whose “Canada 1952-57 Wildlife Series” exhibit will be in frames 18-20; and
- Sam Chiu, whose “Development of Chinese Imperial Post Office 1897-99 Transformation From Custom Post” exhibit will be in frames 844-852 while his “Wei Hai Wei, China 1896-1949” exhibit will be in frames 853-860.
Esteemed Canadian philatelist Charles Verge, who has been a national judge since 1989 and an international judge since 1995, will be a judge at the upcoming show. He’s also a past president of the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors (AAPE).
Chris Hargreaves and Paul Balcaen, editors The Canadian Aerophilatelist (CAS), will also participate in the electronic media category of the literature competition. The CAS aims to provide a forum for the exchange of information among Canadians who are interested in any aspect of worldwide aerophilately, and for collectors from around the world who are interested in Canadian aerophilately.
Lastly, on Aug. 5 at 10 a.m., an overview of collecting Canadian philately will be provided on the show floor.
The StampShow 2017 program is available online here.