2006 10th Anniversary Stamp Exhibition – Souvenir Card

The 10th Anniversary Stamp Exhibition was held in Washington D.C. from 27th June thru 3rd June 2006. Held roughly every ten years, the first show was held in 1913. Growing significantly from there the 2006 show was spread out over 703,000 square feet of floor space in the Washington Convention Center. Visitors could enjoy 640 exhibits from 60 countries, partake in daily auctions and visit over 200 dealers all under one roof. As expected, there was the usual array of competitions, judging and prizes for exhibitors. There was even a section for children with games, puzzles, prizes and stamp related toys in an effort to encourage a new generation into stamp collecting.

“A single event, the 2006 World Philatelic Exhibition, which drew 80,000 stamp enthusiasts, generated one-fifth of convention center visitors’ local spending last year, officials at the center calculate”.

The Washington Post, February 19, 2007.

Stamp exhibitions are big business. An estimated 80,000 individuals attended and spent over $10,000,000 at auction and at least an additional $1,000,000 at USPS windows. Souvenir cards are always a popular item, the one below comes from the IPPS exhibit – it is number 1 of only 50. This souvenir card is quite large, measuring in at 213mm x 165mm and has a canceled 39c USA stamp. The design at center is from the Scott #PH 1233 & 1234 stamps from 1977, originally commemorating 15 Years of the Asian Oceanic Postal Union.

A great many souvenir sheets and first day covers were available at the show, my focus on collecting the Philippines has so far led me to only this one.

Readers who attended the show and are interested in sharing photos please contact me, I’d love to add some to this post.