Stamp Expositions

On May 17, 1947, doors opened on the Centenary International Philatelic Exhibition in New York City. It celebrated the 100th anniversary of America’s first postage stamps with reproductions of America’s first two stamps.

America’s eighth International Philatelic Exhibition opened to the public on May 22, 1986, in Chicago, Illinois.  It was also the first to be held in the Mid-West.

On November 13, 1989, the 20th Universal Postal Union Congress opened in Washington, DC.  It was the first time the Congress convened in the US since 1897. 

On November 3, 1994, the USPS issued a souvenir sheet honoring the 100th anniversary of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing producing US postage stamps.  A relatively small number of sheets were discovered with a rare double transfer.

On May 9, 1936, the Third International Philatelic Exhibition (TIPEX) opened at Grand Central Palace in New York City.  The exhibition included the issue of a four-stamp souvenir sheet, a visit from he Hindenburg, and more. 

On March 11, 1977, the USPS issued its first se-tenant stamps in booklet form.  The stamps had two different denominations, one to meet the first-class rate and one to meet the postcard rate.  This issue also included the first multi-color booklet stamp.

The Fifth International Philatelic Exhibition (FIPEX) opened its doors to a record 60,000 visitors on April 28, 1956.

On March 13, 1997, the USPS issued its first triangle-shaped stamps to promote the upcoming Pacific ’97 Stamp Show.

On July 19, 1996, the OLYMPHILEX stamp show opened in Atlanta, Georgia.