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Boston 2026 Received $25,000 from Mystic Stamp Company

On the heels of a personal donation from its president, Donald J. Sundman, Mystic Stamp Company has come forth with its own $25,000 donation to Boston 2026 World Expo.

Yamil Kouri, Boston 2026 President, welcomed the contribution saying, “We continue to be amazed at the generosity of the entire Mystic organization in their backing of America’s next international exhibition. The company’s slogan as ‘America’s Leading Stamp Dealer’ is certainly befitting their support of the show.”

As mentioned in a prior press release Mystic became a 100% employee-owned company in April 2021 with the Sundmans continuing their positions—Donald as president and wife Chacea as director of human resources. The 110-employee business is based in Camden, New York, specializing in the buying and selling of postage stamps, collecting supplies, and other philatelic items.

The firm’s annual U.S. Stamp Catalog is one of the most comprehensive featuring over 160 pages depicting 4,800 stamps in full color along with other must-haves for collectors. Those in the U.S. may request one free of charge through their web site at www.mysticstamp.com and learn of their approval services.

First day cover enthusiasts know of the connection between Mystic and three historic mass-producers of cacheted covers formerly in the marketplace. Fleetwood was bought by Mystic in 2007, followed by Colorano’s silk cachet business in 2016. Mystic then purchased Artcraft’s 5 million steel-engraved cover inventory in 2019, making it the country’s foremost supplier of FDCs.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Civil War Philatelic Society Donates to Boston 2026 World Expo

Daniel Knowles, President of the Civil War Philatelic Society, emailed Boston 2026 World Expo officers that the organization is making a total donation of $5,000.

He continued his message saying that the CWPS members, trustees and officers all look forward to participating in the show by holding meetings and presentations along with sharing a society booth with the Carrier and Locals Society.

Founded as the Confederate Stamp Alliance in 1935 by Dr. Marye Y. Dabney and August Dietz, the group broadened its collecting focus in 2020 by inviting all collectors of Civil War philately to become members and renaming the organization to reflect this. Income from dues and a permanent endowment allows the CWPS to support member benefits while continuing to research, publish and promote the many aspects of philately of the era.

The organization’s web site at www.civilwarphilatelicsociety.org details the offerings of the group, including the quarterly Civil War Philatelist magazine, expertizing service, research scholarship, mentor program, periodical archives, auctions, collections, exhibits, and more.

Look on the Boston 2026 web site‘s Donor Page for information about making individual or society donations. As a 501(c)3 organization, donations may be tax deductible.

Philatelic societies and organizations of any size should note that over 40 rooms are available for meetings and presentations daily throughout the eight-day exhibition. Contact Society Chair Mark Schwartz (Mark.Schwartz@Boston2026.org) to inquire or make your interests known.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Sundman Donation to Boston 2026 World Expo

Donald J. Sundman, president of Mystic Stamp Company, has made a personal donation of $25,000 to Boston 2026 with an additional pledge being made on behalf of the firm.

Considered by many as one of the hobby’s most effective and enthusiastic promoters, Don comes from a family of collectors. His father, Maynard Sundman, founded the Littleton Stamp Company in 1945 catering to collectors out of his home. It greatly expanded through his approval service.

The Sundman family purchased Mystic Stamp Company in 1974 when 19-year-old Don was appointed as general manager alongside his brother, David, who managed coin operations. Today Mystic has over 110 employees at its Camden, NY headquarters and is 100% employee owned.

Don has been at the center of philately’s most notable stories of recent years. He and David broke the 1987 story of the CIA invert through details obtained through their Freedom of Information Act request. Mystic successfully filed a law suit in 1994 to prevent the USPS destruction of the Legends of the West recalled error sheets. Following the firm’s 1998 purchase of the unique U.S. 1 cent Z grill for nearly a million dollars, Don made history again by trading it for the 1918 inverted Jenny plate block in 2005. Mystic’s $50,000 reward offered for the return of two inverted Jenny stamps stolen in 1955 successfully recovered position 76 of the famous sheet of 100 and announced during World Stamp Show-New York 2016 to a worldwide audience. [The photo above is from that announcement in 2016.]

In 2004 Don was elected Chairman of the Council of Philatelists of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, stepping down in 2021 but remaining on the Board. He was appointed a Trustee of the Philatelic Foundation in 2006. The APS honored him in 2010 with the Luff Award for Outstanding Service. He has sponsored over 8,000 APS members, a society record. His philanthropic endeavors continue to be numerous and noteworthy.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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International Society for Japanese Philately Donates to Boston 2026 World Expo

The International Society for Japanese Philately (ISJP) is pleased to announce its $5,000 donation to Boston 2026 World Expo. Ed Kawasaki, the President of the ISJP, explains, “This donation signifies our commitment to bringing the beauty and excitement of Japanese philately to an international audience, while providing an opportunity for our members to network and share our passion.”

The ISJP will host a booth, hold a series of seminars, have a special networking event, and sponsor the Robert M. Spaulding Award for the best Japanese and related exhibit. “We are delighted to plan a fun and educational gathering while fostering fellowship in Japanese philately,” says Ken Kamholz, publisher of the group’s award-winning quarterly publication. “We are building on the experience of the ISJP’s participation at World Stamp Show NY-2016 and will offer a wonderful opportunity to connect, collect, and learn—whether a neophyte or expert.”

The ISJP was founded in Canada in 1945, now with 450 members from 28 countries and 47 states and territories, as well as strong chapters in London, England; Washington, DC; and Southern California. Members have access to a library, expertizing services, the complete run of JP online and much more. Its web site is at https://isjp.org.

To become a member of the ISJP, please contact Ken at publisher@isjp.org. For those with questions or ideas about making the ISJP’s participation at Boston 2026 a success, please contact ISJP Director Jeff Susman at jlsusman@UTMB.edu.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Boston 2026 Contest Winners

Three entrants have been named as winners of the “Boston Connection” contest organized by the Boston 2026 World Expo.

Announced in November, collectors were invited to submit lists of stamps and souvenir sheets related in some way with Boston, site of the next U.S. international philatelic exhibition.

Pedro D. Sarmiento of Fort Washington, Maryland, provided the greatest number of connections with 88. He is a fan of John F. Kennedy, and many of his submissions of US and overseas stamps dealt with aspects of the former president, born and raised in nearby Brookline and educated at Harvard University. Pedro is “90 years young,” an Air Force veteran and member of the APS and ATA, among other philatelic organizations.

The next two winners were selected at random.

Keith Christian of York, Pennsylvania, is also an APS member and just joined the ATA at the Great American Stamp Show in Cleveland this past August. His list included some interesting sports trivia. Willie O’Ree, featured on a 2023 Canadian stamp, was the first black hockey player in the NHL, called up from the minor leagues by the Boston Bruins in 1958. He identified five additional former Bruins players and several Boston Red Sox baseball stars depicted on stamps.

Frank Silviera of Wilmington, Massachusetts, will have a short commute to the Boston 2026 show. His U.S. and American Flag collecting interests were reignited during the Covid pandemic, now as a member of the APS and Waltham Stamp Club based in Weston, MA at the Spellman Museum. Among items he noted was that the first lighthouse built in North America was at Boston Harbor in 1716, and Dr. Martin Luther King received his PhD at Boston University in 1955.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Boston 2026 Appoints Grinfelds

Dzintars Grinfelds of San Francisco, California, has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner General for Boston 2026 World Expo. Yamil Kouri, Boston 2026 President and Commissioner General, revealed the selection on December 30.

Dzintars is a long-time philatelist, becoming the first three-time AAPE Youth Champion of Champions in the early 2000’s, later going on to win top awards in adult national and international competitions with exhibits on his specialties of Latvia, Central Lithuania, and various thematic topics. Most recently he was a national commissioner for the USA at Thailand 2023.

While away from philately for a decade he managed social and digital marketing for some of the largest brands in sports including the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, and NBA 2K. Now owner and real estate business manager of Grinfelds Investments, LP, he also competes on the Professional Bowlers Association regional circuit.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Individual Donation Received by Boston 2026

Noted philatelist, researcher, author and international Grand Prix award-winning exhibitor

Steven Walske is the latest major contributor to Boston 2026 World Expo.

Steven is perhaps best known for his postal history expertise in a wide variety of areas including mail of San Francisco (1849-1869), North American blockade-run mail (1775-1865), American transcontinental overland mail (1832-1869) and French Franco-Prussian War mail (1870-71), knowledge of which was presented through his many highly awarded exhibits at the international level since the 1990s.

He has authored several articles and co-authored books on his specialties with luminaries including Richard Frajola, George Kramer and Scott Trepel, collecting honors along the way including the Royal Philatelic Society of London’s Crawford Medal in March 2016, awarded as the most valuable and original contribution to the study and knowledge of philately published in book form in the period.

Other donors who have contributed between $10,000 and $24,999 making Boston 2026 World Stamp Expo a reality include Murray A. Abramson, Gordon Eubanks, Vernon Morris, Dr. Tim O’Connor, Daniel Ryterband and Scott R. Trepel. Donations large and small are welcome, and as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization U.S. contributors may qualify for a tax deduction.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Southeast Federation of Stamp Clubs Commits to Boston 2026

The largest regional federation of stamp clubs in the United States has made an initial $1,000 donation to Boston 2026 World Expo and pledged to make three more equal installments yearly for a total of $4,000 towards the once-a-decade philatelic exhibition.

Founded originally as the Georgia Federation of Stamp Clubs in 1991 with six clubs, the twenty-four club member federation currently represents over five hundred collectors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, the District of Columbia and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It is an active Chapter of the American Philatelic Society.

Its sponsorship in the early days of the Peach State Stamp Show in Atlanta has evolved into the expanded Southeastern Stamp Expo, an APS World Series of Philately exhibition hosted annually in January in nearby Peachtree Corners, Georgia.

Commenting on the unanimous Board of Directors vote to financially support Boston 2026, Southeast Federation President Charles O’Brien III said, “The Southeast Federation of Stamp Clubs, host of the annual Southeastern Stamp Expo, is very proud to announce our donation to Boston ’26. Our member clubs strongly support this initiative to promote worldwide philately.”

On hearing the news Boston 2026 President Yamil Kouri wrote, “This will go a long way to ensure the success of our next US International Stamp Exhibition.”

Information about the Southeast Federation of Stamp Clubs and the Southeastern Stamp Expo taking place January 26-28, 2024 is on their website at sefsc.org.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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First Stamp Issue Referencing Boston 2026

Empresa de Correos de Honduras (HONDUCOR), the postal service of Honduras, issued a pair of stamps on October 12 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the formation of its national philatelic organization, the Federacion Filatelica de la República de Honduras (FFRH) and continued support of its membership in the Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal (UPAEP). Each sheets’ selvedge inscriptions also reference the Boston 2026 World Expo.

The 25 and 35 Lempira face valued stamps depict the first UPAEP post horn logo surrounded by the 28 member national flags and a close up of a stamp collector viewing a stamp with tongs and a magnifying glass, respectively.

The denominations, approximately US $1.01 and US $1.42, pay the basic international 20-grams letter rate to Group 2 and Group 4 countries. They were printed by offset in sheetlets of 30 in a 6×5 configuration. Only 7,500 sets were printed, 250 sheets of each denomination.

Top sheetlet selvedge tabs alternate the Boston 2026 logo with the show dates in English and Spanish. The six lower tabs are each different depicting the Boston 2026 web URL; sheet number; Boston 2026 logo; show dates; a description and Mi Oficina You Tube URL to learn more about philately from member countries; and the logo and QR code linking to the Mi Oficina web page. Mi Oficina is an active online group of mostly Latin American philatelists formed during the pandemic and continues to meet regularly via Zoom. They have published over 600 videos in the past 3 years.

Empresa de Correos de Honduras (HONDUCOR) is online at www.honducor.gob.hn.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

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Kelleher Commits to Boston 2026

David Coogle, co-chairman of Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, LLC, has confirmed the firm’s participation in Boston 2026 by reserving the first top-end Super Booth (i.e., 20’x30’ booth nearest the show’s entrance).

Based in Danbury, Connecticut, the company was founded in 1885 in Boston by its namesake, today making it America’s oldest philatelic auction house. Their quarterly public auction sales include Club, Flagship and Collection sales, conducting a public auction each month. With additional single-owner sales, they offer bidders the opportunity to own US and Worldwide items from entry level to rarities. Weekly internet auctions provide material of interest to intermediate and more casual collectors.

Their award-winning magazine, Kelleher’s Stamp Collector’s Quarterly, was first released in September 2015. More than 30 issue covers from the past eight years are displayed at www.kelleherauctions.com/magazines-2/ with a downloadable free sample of issue #1. Yearly subscription information for both the publication’s print and digital formats is also available. More than 500,000 copies in print and many more digitally have been distributed to philatelists worldwide.

To date, three-quarters of the show’s Super Booths and Half-Super Booths have been reserved. However, most size configurations remain available on the show floor. Potential dealers are asked to immediately email Bourse Chair Mark Reasoner at Mark.Reasoner@Boston2026.org for the latest information.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org