Plan Now To Exhibit at APS STAMPSHOW 2015

Prospectus and entry forms are available for the philatelic and literature exhibit competitions at APS StampShow 2015 (www.stamps.org/StampShow) August 20–23, 2015. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service, the 129th annual American Philatelic Society convention, exhibition, and bourse, will take place at the DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Ave., N.W., in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The show is the largest annual philatelic event held in the United States.
The deadline for the receipt of completed entry forms and fees is May 1 for philatelic exhibits and May 9 for philatelic literature. As there are a limited number of frames for the philatelic exhibition prompt submission is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Darrell Ertzberger will chair the philatelic jury which includes James Gough, Frederick Lawrence, Guy Purington, Bill Schultz, Jeff Shapiro, Phil Stager, Jay Stotts, and Bob Zeigler.
The philatelic exhibition will consist of approximately 900 frames. Of these, 300 are reserved for the annual Champion of Champions competition between prior grand award winners of all World Series of Philately national shows for the previous year.

All general class divisions including postal, cinderella, display, illustrated mail, revenue, and thematic are welcome, although it is anticipated that the bulk of these frames will be for the postal division. Youth, single-frame, and postcard exhibits also are welcome. The grand award winner at StampShow 2015 will qualify to participate in the Champion of Champions competition at APS StampShow 2016, to be held August 4–7, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

Exhibitors who want to see how their exhibit might fare in international competition can request FIP option judging for an additional $30 fee. The results, which are in addition to and independent of the regular judging, include a point breakdown and written comments and are only for the information of the exhibitor. FIP option judges will be Jim Mazepa and Dan Walker.

The literature exhibition showcases philatelic publications, including handbooks, catalogues, and periodicals and journals. There is a limited acceptance of catalogues and bound volumes of articles or columns. For further information on accepted literature see Chapter 23A of the Manual of Philatelic Judging, which can be downloaded for free from the APS website at www.stamps.org/Manual-and-Scoresheets.

Date of publications must be no earlier than January 1, 2013 and two copies of each item must be submitted for judging no later than May 9, 2015. Ken Trettin will chair the literature exhibition jury, with judges Nancy Clark and Patrick Walters.

Exhibitors may obtain a prospectus and entry form online (www.stamps.org/SS-Exhibitors); by writing to the American Philatelic Society, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823-1367; calling 814-933-3803 extension 217; sending a fax to 814-933-6128; or via e-mail to [email protected].

In addition to the thousands of pages of exhibits, StampShow 2015 will include approximately 120 dealer booths, more than 100 society meetings and seminars, and many other popular activities for collectors of all ages and interests.

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