Author: Tom Fortunato

The second Boston 2026 bulletin detailing information about the show with emphasis on exhibit rules and registration has just been released and is available in electronic format on the show’s web site at boston2026.org.

The 44-page document includes the official IREX (Individual Regulations particular to Boston 2026) as required by the governing body of international exhibiting, the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP), having granted the show its Recognition.

Boston 2026 is not just one exhibition, but several taking place at the same time hosting the collective best of the world’s renowned exhibitors. The largest is the FIP Exhibition comprised of mostly competitive exhibits among 4,000 frames that are judged and vie for medal awards from bronze to large gold and special prizes, as will the Literature Class entrants.

A separate Polar Salon of 200 frames of both competitive exhibits and non-competitive displays will also take place, along with a German-American Salon of 50 non-competitive frames. The annual 2026 APS Champion of Champions Competition rounds out the exhibitions.

Additional non-competitive displays add to the rarities, including a world-class Court of Honor along with institutional, ephemera and other invited exhibits.

Only electronic applications will be accepted for all exhibition types through the appropriate form. All will be online when the new Boston 2026 web site is unveiled in a few weeks.

Bulletin #2 also provides a timeline of show deadlines, information for societies and postal administrations, and includes two topical articles highlighting Boston area women and African Americans on stamps.

Boston 2026 World Expo calls on all collectors to donate off-paper stamps to build its inventory for use in welcome packets and the youth and beginners’ areas during America’s next international philatelic exhibition.
 
Coordinating the collection process is Michael Lawson, Boston 2026 Chief Financial Officer, in association with the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History.  World Stamp Show-NY 2016 collected roughly three million stamps for free giveaways in a variety of ways said Lawson.  We are again counting on the philatelic community to show their generosity and desire to promote the hobby by donating common, unwanted duplicates we all have an abundance of to our show.
 
It may be hard to grasp that many stamps, but artificial intelligence can help.  Google’s Gemini explained it this way.  With an average thickness of 0.01 inches per stamp, a three million stamp stack would span 2,500 feet, nearly half a mile, or roughly the height of a 200-story building.
 
Donations of any quantity would be welcomed, mint and used, but all should be off-paper and sorted by US and non-US, if possible.  Any on-paper material is to be soaked before sending.  Stamp clubs are especially encouraged to participate by holding a soaking/collection program with their members.  Dealer stock, including hundreds of the same stamp, may also be sent.  Any glassines and tongs sent are much appreciated.  As a 501(c)3 organization, Boston 2026 donations may be tax-deductible to the donor.
 
Items are to be mailed to: Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History, Attn: Michael Lawson/Boston 2026, Regis College, 241 Wellesley Street Weston, MA 02493.  Please include a note with an email address to receive confirmation of receipt.

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.