Even though the dust hasn’t settled yet on the 2016 U.S. international stamp show, work is under way on the next one, Boston 2026.
Actually, some of the planning began in 2007, a year after the previous “international,” Washington 2006.
Each country is allowed by the International Federation of Philately, to host one “international” a decade. For the U.S., these are held in years ending in 6, except for years that end in 47 and 97 — because the U.S. issued its first stamps in 1847. Thus, the U.S. show in the 1990s was Pacific 97.
One of the first steps is to get the approval of the national stamp collecting federation, which in the U.S. is the American Philatelic Society.
“We were ‘anointed’ last year,” Boston 2026 president Nancy Clark tells The Virtual Stamp Club.
“It’s going to be a fabulous gathering in Beantown,” Clark added. ”There are always invited special rarities that are superb and that you don’t see any other time.”
But it won’t just be world-class exhibits.
“You’re going to have post offices from around the world, you’re going to have dealers from around the world,” she said in the VSC interview.
Clark and others are also looking forward to seeing old friends from other countries.
“As my daughter likes to say, ‘You’re going to a reunion.’
Will there be anything at the show for more casual collectors or even the general public?
“Absolutely, Lloyd, you know my reputation is built on some substance,” Clark replied. “There will be meat and potatoes philately going on in an area that is for beginners.”
According to Yamil H. Kouri, Jr., a member of the Boston 2026 committee, noted that Boston is the fifth largest metro area in the United States. About 22 percent of the U.S. population and 52 percent of Canada’s live within a one-day drive of Boston.
The theme of the show will be the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The show will be held at the Boston Convention Center in the Seaport district.
“We’re going to be taking up the entire convention center,” Clark told The VSC. “It’s downtown, it’s right next to the main post office area where they do all the sorting and stuff, straight on the Silver Line [of the rail transit system] right out of the airport, it’s very easy to get to, and you’re within walking distance of anything downtown.”
The Boston 2026 committee is strongly allied with the Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Museum in Weston, MA, and the Northeast Federation of Stamp Clubs, which puts on Philatelic Show each year in Boxboro, MA. The latter has already paid the $10,000 down payment to reserve the convention center.
The Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel is attached to the convention center, but in 2019, a second attached hotel should be completed and open. The Committee also promises two nearby moderately-priced hotels.
Asked at an open meeting during World Stamp Show-New York 2016 about the Boston show’s logo (shown above), publicity chair Tom Fortunato — who handled the same job for Washington 2006 and WSS-NY16 — replied that logos for “internationals” often change during the long gestation period. Boston 2026 executive director Mark Butterline pointed out that there is no standout icon for Boston, unlike New York’s Statue of Liberty or Washington’s Capitol dome.
Asked at the meeting about Boston 2026’s “vision,” Kouri replied, “different than the New York Show.”
restructuring of its leadership. Due to health concerns, Nancy Clark [right] will become President Emerita. In 2013, she conceived the idea of hosting a World Stamp Show in Boston and has been the first woman to lead a world philatelic exhibition. Nancy will remain involved in the organization and continue to contribute as a trusted advisor.
Yamil’s role as Corporate Director.
Planning continues for America’s next international philatelic exhibition, Boston 2026 World Expo, taking place May 23-30 at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center.
Robert G. Rose, Chairman of the Board of The Philatelic Foundation, presented a $25,000 check to Nancy B. Clark, President of Boston 2026 World Expo with Mark A. Butterline, Executive Director, and Yamil H. Kouri, Commissioner General, at APS StampShow/NTSS in Omaha on Friday, August 2.
