Show preview: AmeriStamp Expo coming to Nevada this March

This March, AmeriStamp Expo—the second-largest postage stamp and postal history show in the U.S.—will take place at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada.

The show will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on March 3-4 and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on March 5. Admission is free.

Postal historians as well stamp collectors, dealers, artisans, and the general public can learn about stamps and postal history, buy and sell stamps, and have stamp collections evaluated. Displays include letter carriers’ museum artifacts, an historic postal vehicle, an historic post office window, and a few of America’s rarest postal items, including the earliest known U.S. Presidential “Free Frank” from 1789. More than 130 private collections of stamps, postal history, and philatelic material will be exhibited.

STAMPS IN YOUR ATTIC

Among the expo’s highlights is the “Stamps In Your Attic” program, which is a free service to identify and evaluate stamps and postal history. The public is encouraged to bring along inherited collections of stamps or old family correspondence to receive input as to their uniqueness and care.

Youth can learn about stamp collecting through microscopes, design their own stamps, fill a stamp passport, play games, and pick up items for their collections in the Youth Area—all for free. Adults interested in learning more about the hobby can attend free Beginning Collectors seminars and other workshops.

On March 3, ceremonies will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the new Barn Swallow Stamped Envelope and Flora stamps being issued by the U.S. Postal Service and Marshall Islands Postal Service, respectively.

On March 4, a special ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. to celebrate the national kick-off to the 25th anniversary National Association of Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive. Artist Jeff Keane of the Family Circus comic strip will help dedicate a personalized postage souvenir sheet featuring the iconic campaign artwork, printed by PhotoStamps.com. Autograph sessions will follow each ceremony. Proceeds from postage sheet sales will benefit the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, who will also have a booth at the show to accept contributions and donations of canned goods.

AmeriStamp Expo 2017 is hosted by the American Philatelic Society in partnership with the National Association of Letter Carriers and the USPS.

EXPO FACTS

  • The show has been held annually since 1958. This year marks the 60th consecutive show.
  • The expected average attendance is about 2,500 people.
  • There will be 130 competitive exhibits in nearly 250 exhibit frames.
  • There will also be 60 booths featuring 40 stamps dealers, seven collecting groups and three museum displays.
  • Lastly, there will be about 40 meetings and seminars throughout the three-day expo.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

Special displays include:

  • a 1929 Ford Model A Mail Truck from the National Automobile Museum, The Harrah Collection;
  • a circa 1898-1923 post office service window from the Sparks Heritage Museum & Cultural Center;
  • museum artifacts from the National Association of Letter Carriers;
  • an 1789 U.S. Presidential “Free Frank” by George Washington, the earliest known;
  • a 1918 Jenny Invert, of the famous and unsolved stamp theft; and
  • a 1962 Dag Hammarskjold Invert pane.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

  • APS On The Road Course: EFOs & You: Benefitting From Postal Blunders, March 2 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $145 ($95 for APS members).
  • Beginning Collector’s Series on March 3 at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
  • Book Signing: Tales by Mail Book 2, by Karen Cartier on March 3 at 2 p.m.; March 4 at. 1 p.m.; and March 5 at 11 a.m.
  • Book Signing: Robbing the Post Office, by Howard Petschel on March 3 at 4 p.m.; March 4 at 3 p.m.; and March 5 at 1 p.m.
  • APS On The Road Course: Ghosts of the Glory Trail: Nevada Revenue-Stamped Documents 1863–1873, on March 4 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $145 ($95 for APS members).
  • Autograph Sessions: Artist Jeff Keane (Family Circus and Stamp Out Hunger) on March 4 at 11:30 a.m. and the following two days at 1:30 p.m. at the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Booth.
  • Autograph Sessions: Chris Calle, International Stamp Designer, daily at the APS Booth.

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