With the highly anticipated, once-in-a-decade World Stamp Show-NY 2016 now about a week away from opening, here are some last minute details and tips for those planning a visit.
Admission is free, but each attendee must wear his or her badge to gain entrance to the show floor. Take advantage of pre-registration and print one before attending. Fill out this form for yourself and up to three additional attendees, print the badge(s) and pick up a badge holder when you arrive from one of the greeters in the lobby. On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. daily, but expect long lines, especially the first weekend.
GETTING THERE
Subway Line No. 7 stops just across the street from the Javits Center at 34th Street/Hudson Yards. The New York Metro Transportation Authority website has rail, bus and subway information and maps. Most bus and subway single-ride tickets in New York are $3 each way. Buying a MetroCard reduces the cost to $2.75 per ride, with a seven-day unlimited pass being the best value at $31. Separate bus and rail lines service New Jersey destinations, but all converge at New York’s Port Authority Bus Terminal or Grand Central Station a few blocks east from Javits.
Use the closest Javits Center entrance doors at 11th Avenue and 35th Street. Ground level is actually the third floor of Javits Center, where the show is located in Halls 3B-D-E. Check out Javits’ newsletter here. Wheelchair and motorized vehicle rentals, which need to be reserved ahead of time, are available here. The entire facility is handicapped accessible.
Special badge holders should bring a photo ID with them, and look for the appropriate registration desk (i.e. Booth Workers, Exhibitors, Liberty Club, Special Badges) in the Crystal Palace Lobby. Journalists who requested a press pass in advance, or wish to register on-site, should go to the Special Badge booth before proceeding to the Press Room, 4B2, on the fourth floor.
OPENING CEREMONIES
Opening Ceremonies kick off May 28 at 9:15 a.m. with an hour-long presentation that will include some entertaining surprises. If you have not already registered online, arrive at 8 a.m. to do so in person. Ensure you have your admission badge beforehand to enter the show right afterwards at 10:30 a.m. For the remaining days of the exhibition, hours are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. with the exception of the last day, June 4, when the show closes at 3 p.m.
Only booth-holding dealers and show committee operational staff will be allowed on the show floor during off-hours. Society representatives may enter 15 minutes before the doors open.
FIRST STOP
Attendees should make the American Philatelic Society Super Booth (Booth No. 721 just inside the left entrance to the show) their first stop: palmares tickets may be purchased or picked up if reserved in advance, and exhibition catalogues along with serviced and unserviced official show cacheted covers will be sold for $10 while supplies last.
CANADIAN INFLUENCE
If you’re feeling a bit homesick in New York – which, to be honest, is unlikely in such a phenomenal philatelic environment – you can also visit Booth No. 881, which will be shared and staffed by members of The Postal History Society of Canada (PHSC); The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada (RPSC); and The British North America Philatelic Society (BNAPS). Special show editions of Canadian Stamp News will also be given away at the booth throughout the week.
What’s more, on May 31 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m., the Toronto-based Vincent Graves Greene Philatelic Research Foundation will host a meet and greet with the Philatelic Specialists Society of Canada. It’s open for all to attend.
Then, on June 3 at 10 a.m., the RPSC will host a Canada-themed seminar organized by RPSC director and international liason Jim Taylor.
“We’re having several philatelic presentations, including a wonderful PowerPoint presentation on young and beginning collectors,” said Pepall. “It’s about 15 slides with very simple texts and very interesting stamps.”
Lastly, on June 3 at 7 p.m., the RPSC will host a dinner at the “reasonably priced” Westside Restaurant at 597 10th Ave. The dinner is open to anyone who wishes to attend, although space is limited to 15 people, and 13 spots have been taken by time of printing.
MORE THAN 200 DEALERS
With more than 200 dealers from around the world, collectors will have no trouble satiating their varied philatelic interests. Be aware dealers are not only selling but buying single items up to entire collections. Six world-class auctions are scheduled daily from Sunday through Friday.
Pick up a free philatelic passport at the Linn’s/Scott Booth No. 951 or the Beginner’s Area No. 125. “Take a trip around the world” by visiting more than 50 postal administrations, collecting stamps and cancels along the way. Many show-related issues are available here. Several more first day ceremonies have been scheduled in the last few weeks.
Pick up a free show program that contains a complete listing of the day’s events and show information sponsored by Robert A Siegel Auction Galleries.
EXHIBITS
The Court of Honor and Invited Exhibits area will be “nothing short of spectacular,” according to show organizers. Most of the world’s great philatelic rarities will be on display, never to be seen in one place at one time ever again. Photography is strictly prohibited in this area.
There are 706 competitive exhibits among 4,454 frames that await your perusal. Literature entries top 173, consisting of books, periodicals and catalogs. Judges will also award more than 50 special exhibit prizes.
And of course, admission is free.