The featured speakers at the opening ceremony both knew about stamps from personal experience: U.S. Navy Admiral (ret.) Thomas B. Fargo collects them – “Collecting has been an immensely satisfying part of my life.” – and U.S. Postal Service Chief Marketing & Sales Officer James Cochrane has been selling them for his entire career, starting at New Jersey post offices where he began his career. 
From left to right, Master of Ceremonies Jamie Gough, “Alexander Hamilton,” Adm. Fargo, WSS-NY president Wade Saadi, Vice Admiral Joseph P. Mulloy, and Cochrane, cut the ribbon to start the snow.
The two Naval officers were a nod to New York City’s “Fleet Week,” an annual event where many U.S. Navy ships dock in the city and the streets are filled with sailors and Marines on shore leave.
In introducing Fargo, a former three-star admiral, Mulloy (left) mentioned that both men were submariners, and that Fargo had visited the North Pole in 1993 but “he did not make any covers.”
Fargo said he had, although only to send letters to 
members of his family. He also admitted that he was more of a “shoebox collector.” His holdings include “my prized mint plate block collection.” When he asked an expert about what to do with that collection, he related wryly, the response was “Have you ever thought of using it for postage?”
Fargo ended his speech by noting that the last day of the show, June 4th, is the 74th anniversary of the Battle of Midway, a turning point for World War II in the Pacific Ocean, and next December 7th will be the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. (Read more on Fargo and his distinguished career here.)
Gough, the MC, praised the USPS for delivering quickly almost everywhere in the USA “for 49 cents” [oops] and suggested that if those attending the show are worried about the government reading their e-mails, “send a letter.”
Cochrane mentioned that the USPS employs more than 113,000 veterans. He then announced several new digital products from the USPS: An e-book version of The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps, USPS Stamp App, and some digital features to the World Stamp Show Folio that was issued Saturday at WSS-NY. He predicted that it is a matter of time before U.S. stamps themselves have electronic features, such as video and audio!
[We will have more on the app and e-book soon. Meanwhile, check out the press release from the USPS.]]
He noted that the Classics Forever stamps coming out next week at WSS has water-soluble adhesive: “You asked for it and we heard you.”
Cochrane also said the USPS has brought in more collectors by expanding topical offerings. He wrapped up by saying he would be the dedicating official at the Assateague Island National Seashore on the first day of the National Park Service Centennial stamps, while Postmaster General Megan Brennan will handle the main first day ceremony at the show.
Then there was a surprise speaker: Alexander Hamilton. The humorous speech was mostly about his life and times, and how even he can’t get tickets to the smash hit Broadway musical “Hamilton.” There wasn’t much philatelic content in his talk until at the end he mentioned the 1957 $5 stamp with his portrait on it.
The “recreator” was later on the so how floor.
[BTW, he referred to himself as “a bastard and his orphan.” I read the 2005 Ron Chernow book, considered the definitive biography of Hamilton and on which 
the musical is based, and Hamilton never considered himself a bastard. -LdeV]
Just before the ribbon cutting, “Magenta” owner and shoe designer Stuart Weizman (left) gave a short welcome via video from Spain; he said he would be attending the show later in its run.
The American First Day Cover Society’s pre-Americover tour will include special presentations at the National Postal Museum.
At the NPM, former National Park Service interpretive planner Paul Lee will present a special Sundman lecture, “Parks, Postmarks, and Postmasters: Post Offices Within The National Park System.” The program combines real-life drama and human interest.This year is the centennial of the National Park Service.
After lunch, NPM Chief Curator Daniel Piazza (left) will give a guided tour of “Trailblazing: 100 Years of Our National Parks,” followed by a tour of the rest of the facility. Members of the group will have a chance to see their own cachets in the Owney the Postal Dog FDC exhibit.
0044..
The world’s most valuable stamp will be there, the unique British Guiana one cent magenta, which was sold at auction June 17, 2014 for $9.48 million dollars to fashion shoe designer Stuart Weitzman. Its celebrated story of being found in 1873 by a 12 year old schoolboy is legendary. The stamp is on a three-year loan to the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum and will be in a special display case at their booth through Friday of the show.
originally of 240 examples, are nearly intact with just a couple dozen of each removed. The 1d sheet has never been shown outside of the United Kingdom, while the 2d sheet has never been on public display anywhere. A presentation about them, “Postal Reform & the Penny Black,” will be given at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 31 by Douglas N. Muir, Senior Curator, Philately, The Postal Museum.
dealing with Great Britain’s penny postage program of 1840. The stamp, lettered A I, comes from the first row of the sheet printed from the first printing plate 1a completed on April 8, 1840. The stamp is attached on a sheet of stout paper together with a proof of a Mulready, as presented by Rowland Hill to the Council of Academicians on April 10 for approval of the proposed design, which was enthusiastically given. At the top of this sheet Wallace inscribed in his own hand, “1st Proof of Penny Postage Stamp Cover, presented to Mr. Wallace by the Right Honable. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Francis Thornhill Baring, April 10th, 1840.” and endorsed beneath the stamp, “Universal Penny Postage Fly or Loose Stamp, presented to me Mr Wallace as above” and noted “ These come into public use on the 6th of May 1840”.
The postal history of the small Indian Ocean island of Mauritius is forever entwined with the story behind its first issue of 1847. Lady Gomm, wife of the governor, was planning a lavish ball and decorated the invitation envelopes with new-fangled postage stamps hastily produced by a local watch maker. Each was to have been inscribed “Post Paid,” but shortly after being released were found to bear “Post Office” instead. It is believed fourteen 1d orange red and twelve 2d deep blue stamps have survived, along with only three Ball covers. The only such cover in public hands will be on display, from the collection of Vikramm Chand.
Preparations for World Stamp Show – New York 2016 are very advanced. This includes the recruitment of volunteers for the show. In total, about 500 volunteers will be required.
