Author: Tom Fortunato

America’s premier west coast World Series of Philately exhibition, WESTPEX, Inc., has pledged a donation of $10,000 in support of Boston 2026.

Their contribution continues the philanthropic mission of the San Francisco area organization. The group also presented grants to the past two U.S. internationals, Washington 2006 and NY 2016.

In writing to Boston 2026 officials, WESTPEX Chairman Behruz Nassre said, “During the last WESTPEX board meeting, the board members authorized a $10,000 donation to Boston 2026. As a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding and promoting philately in the United States, the board felt it was essential that we show our support and hopefully encourage other shows to do the same.”

Yamil Kouri, Boston 2026 President, welcomed the news by saying, “We appreciate the generous support of WESTPEX and echo the sentiments of Behruz and the board in all of our efforts in promoting this wonderful hobby.”

WESTPEX 2025 takes place at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel April 25-27, its anchor location for the past 18 years. Attending major societies include the American Helvetia Philatelic Society, Rossica Society of Russian Philately, Mexico-Elmhurst Philatelic Society International (MEPSI) and Rhodesian Study Circle. See the show’s web site at Westpex.org for complete information.

Boston 2026 World Expo is pleased to announce a generous $2,500 grant from the American Helvetia Philatelic Society (AHPS), the world’s largest English-language Switzerland philatelic society. Members of AHPS have been raising funds through their $26 for ’26 campaign to support the society’s activities at Boston 2026, which includes a $2,500 grant approved by its board for the show according to AHPS Treasurer Bruce Marsden.

We are thrilled to partner with Boston 2026 said AHPS President Steven Opheim. This grant underscores our members’ passion for Swiss philately and their commitment to advancing the hobby through world-class events like Boston 2026 World Expo.

As the largest English-language society dedicated to Swiss philately, AHPS connects over 200 members across 35 states and 8 countries. Through monthly Member Meetings via Zoom, its award-winning TELL journal, and an active AHPS Facebook Group, AHPS fosters an international community of passionate collectors of Switzerland and Liechtenstein philately. The AHPS website hosts an extensive online library, rich with Swiss philatelic research and resources.

During Boston 2026, AHPS will host several events and will share a society booth with United Nations Philatelists Inc. (UNPI), the world’s largest organization dedicated to UN and UN-related philately. Attendees are invited to visit the booth to connect with the AHPS and UNPI communities throughout the eight-day exhibition.

For more information about AHPS, including membership options and access to their extensive philatelic resources, visit Swiss-Stamps.org or contact Paul Sobon, the AHPS Secretary at Secretary@swiss-stamps.org.

The Collectors Club would like to invite you to find out the latest information about the Boston 2026 World Expo through a live virtual Zoom presentation taking place on Wednesday, September 25 at 5:30 PM EST.

Boston 2026 President Yamil Kouri will give viewers an update on the progress of the once-a-decade philatelic exhibition and later be joined by members of the organizing team for a question and answer session.

All are welcome to register beforehand at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7917036367233/WN_aBJRnTCsS_qAl_bYC5W-Hw#/registration. 

Steve McGill, treasurer of the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors, has written that its board approved a $5,000 contribution to Boston 2026 during its meeting at GASS 2024 in Hartford, Connecticut.
 
The AAPE was founded in 1986 by John Hotchner and Randy Neil with the goal of increasing participation and enjoyment of philatelic exhibiting, serving the needs of beginner through advanced exhibitors and stamp show coordinators alike.  Its worldwide membership actively discusses exhibiting techniques, judging and management through its quarterly publication, The Philatelic Exhibitor, and during seminars across North America and beyond.
 
AAPE originated and championed single-frame exhibiting since its beginning, sponsoring the first stamp show devoted to this new concept in 1993 at AmeriStamp Expo in Kansas City.  Seven years later the organization held the first Single Frame Champion of Champions by inviting all top winners from U. S. and Canadian national exhibitions to select the best of the best.  This yearly championship continues today, held in conjunction with Chicagopex in November.  Since then, AAPE has also developed a single frame team competition.  The single frame class is now formally recognized internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP).
 
“We continue to thank the many philatelic organizations that make donations of all sizes to financially assist us,” said Boston 2026 World Expo president Yamil Kouri.  “We look forward to a large AAPE membership presence in person and especially in the frames at the exhibition.”
 
Information about the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors is online at aape.org.

The Federation of European Philatelic Associations (FEPA) has granted Recognition status to the Boston 2026 World Expo.

FEPA is the continental European organization that coordinates and promotes the philatelic activities among its 45 member nations. Initially proposed in 1987, the group was formally established in 1989 with its first constitutional mandate being, “To represent and promote European philately in its broadest sense within the aims and objectives of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie.”

FEPA recognition of an exhibition outside of European territory is seldom granted. In granting its recognition to Boston 2026 World Expo the FEPA Board is aware of the global importance of this exhibition which transcends its continental boundaries.

Recognition by FEPA grants Boston 2026 three privileges:

• Marketing and promotion of the exhibition through its channels (magazine, website, newsletters, etc)
• Use of logo and flag
• Technical assistance

FEPA information can be found on its web site at fepanews.com.

Boston 2026’s newest collectible label was released at 1 PM today during a ceremonial presentation on the exhibition floor at the Great American Stamp Show in Hartford, Connecticut.

Award-winning stamp artist Chris Calle has once again shared his talents in support of America’s next international philatelic exhibition by creating the fourth in a series of yearly patriotic-themed promotional The Road to Boston 2026 designs.

The 2024 artwork features a portrait of John Adams, the Harvard educated lawyer from Massachusetts who eventually became the second President of the United States. Furthering his work as a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses, he was one of five men on the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence. A view of Adams addressing the Congress is seen under his likeness. So, too, are two of the four U.S. stamps from the 1974 Bicentennial Era issue depicting Philadelphia’s Carpenter’s Hall, site of the first Continental Congress and later referred to as Independence Hall, and the quote, We ask but for Peace, Liberty and Safety from the Congressional petition to King George III.

As before, 3,000 water-activated sheetlets of nine labels were produced by the Portland Stamp Company. Prior labels depicted a Post Rider in 2021, Ben Franklin in 2022 and Sam Adams in 2023. All three are no longer orderable.

Both the unsigned and a limited edition of 450 artist-signed versions of the 2024 sheetlet are available. Orders are currently being accepted through the Boston 2026 web site.

Melanie G. Rogers, President of the Collectors Club of Chicago, has informed Boston 2026 officers of the group’s commitment of yearly $5,000 contributions through the start of the Boston 2026 international exhibition. The CCC made an initial $5,000 donation in March 2023.

“We are thrilled to be able to support Boston 2026. This event will be a phenomenal opportunity for collectors from around the world to come together to enjoy and celebrate our beloved hobby and fellowship” said Rogers.

Incorporated in 1928, the mission of the Collectors Club of Chicago is to advance and promote philately through education, publications, research, exhibitions and maintenance of one of the nation’s largest libraires for collector use. The club’s headquarters is a landmark brownstone in the city’s famous Gold Coast neighborhood.

Ther first of two $5,000 donation checks has been sent to Boston 2026 World Expo officers on behalf of the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History, located on the campus of Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts.

The museum will be hosting a large booth in “Society Row” during the Expo, offering free evaluations of stamps and collections to the general public.

The Spellman is in elite company with the Smithsonian Institution National Postal Museum in Washington, DC, as one of the few philatelic museums in the United States and the oldest postal museum in the western hemisphere.

More than two million items make up the museum’s holdings, including stamps, covers and other postal related items.  Besides the original Spellman philatelic collection, it has added those from dignitaries including U.S. Presidents Roosevelt and Eisenhower, Army General Matthew Ridgway and violinist Jascha Heifetz.

The museum’s slogan, “Your portal to history, culture, and the arts,” embodies the organization’s mission of using philately as an educational tool.  This is especially true through its “Stamps Come Alive” program, integrating expert speakers on a variety of subjects with related philatelic material.  The Spellman is a popular field trip destination for school children in the region.

Brian J. Howard, Spellman Executive Director, said of the donation, “The Spellman Museum is pleased to support the Boston 2026 World Expo.  For over sixty years, the museum has worked to promote philately and to be a repository for both national and worldwide postal history.  This gift is indicative of the strong relationship between the Spellman and this hallmark event; we invite all show attendees to our facility on the Regis College campus during their time in Boston.

As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational institution, The Spellman receives funding from donors across the world supporting their mission and operations.  It is managed through a Board of Trustees, executive director, museum staff and dedicated volunteers.

Bulletin #1 for Boston 2026 World Expo has just been released in digital format and is available for viewing and downloading here.

This first of two expected bulletins contains over 50 pages introducing readers to the composition of the one-a-decade U.S. international exhibition through the people and organizations making it possible.

Boston 2026 President Yamil Kouri said, “Much work has gone into this informative booklet that will answer most questions potential attendees and participants have.  We’ve also included several articles about greater Boston’s historical significance to the nation’s founding along with their philatelic tie-ins.”

Initial show hotel information is included.  At this point arrangements have been made with eight hotels within walking distance of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, site of the show.  More affordable options are being sought further away from the city center.  Reservations for all offerings will be available starting in the Spring of 2025.

Donors are gratefully acknowledged across several pages.   Donation levels are explained with various thank-you premiums associated to each, including admittance to the Minuteman Club.  As a recognized 501(c)3 organization, donations may be tax-deductible to U.S. contributors who itemize.

Bulletin #1 features a listing of current booth holders, numbering over 75.  Booth space is still available for 4- or 8-day options.  Interested dealers are urged to contact US/Canada bourse chair Mark Reasoner (Mark.Reasoner@Boston2026.org) or international bourse chair Sandeep Jaiswal (Sandeep.Jaiswal@Boston2026.org).  Postal administrations will be contacted later this year with participation information.

Mexico-Elmhurst Philatelic Society International has made a $1,500 contribution to Boston 2026 World Expo.

Well-known as the only major philatelic society specializing in Mexican philately of all kinds, MEPSI has members on all continents except Antarctica and in nearly every U.S. state. It is an affiliate of the American Philatelic Society.

The “Elmhurst” part of their name stems from its 1935 origins in Elmhurst, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. It was there that 25 collectors formed a local club that eventually added “Mexico” to the name, as this was the country they discovered they all collected and decided to focus on.

Yearly membership in MEPSI begins in January and entitles collectors to four issues of their Mexicana journal, access to an extensive reference library, circuit book submissions and purchases, and expertization services. Plans are underway for MEPSI to host their 2026 convention at Boston 2026. Find out more about them on their web site at mepsi.info.

Philatelic societies and organizations of any size are welcome to reserve rooms for meetings and presentations daily throughout the eight days of Boston 2026. Contact Society Chair Mark Schwartz (Mark.Schwartz@Boston2026.org) to inquire or make your interests known.