[press release]
CHICAGOPEX 2019 Offers Activities for New Collectors through Experienced Exhibitors
CHICAGO, Oct. 12, 2019 – No matter what level of collector you are, CHICAGOPEX 2019 has something to offer. The show runs Nov. 22-24 at the Westin Chicago Northwest, 400 Park Blvd. in Itasca, Ill.
The annual philatelic exhibition and stamp show, honoring 133 years of the Chicago Philatelic Society, features five convening societies: the India Study Circle for Philately, Lithuania Philatelic Society, Polonus Polish Philatelic Society, Rossica Society of Russian Philately, and the Ukrainian Philatelic and Numismatic Society. Each group will present special exhibits of stamps and postal history as well as hold meetings open to the public.
Advanced collectors and exhibitors will want to attend on Friday at noon, when Scott Tiffney, Director of Information Services for the American Philatelic Research Library, will give a presentation on how to conduct digital research using the APRL holdings. At 2pm on Friday, Dr. Susan Smith, Winton M. Blount Research Chair at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, will speak on “Researching Postal History Collections in Washington, D.C.”
Intermediate collectors can take advantage of nearly 300 frames of exhibits – they are open for view to show attendees all three days of the show. Saturday afternoon, the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors will hold an open forum where they provide exhibiting tips and guidance and answer questions from the audience.
Newbies to the hobby will benefit from a tour of Polish and Eastern European exhibits on Sunday, led by a knowledgeable and experienced judge. The Collectors Club of Chicago will also host a table in the lobby, where they are selling a variety of books on philatelic topics, including the award-winning, recent book by Dr. Yamil Kouri, Jr., “Under Three Flags: The Postal History of the Spanish-Cuban / American War.”
While it is possible to tailor one’s show plans by experience level, the Chicagopex show committee encourages attendees to be open to a variety of events. The show is an opportunity to learn from and share with other stamp enthusiasts as well as a chance to buy from more than 75 dealers from around the U.S. and some from abroad. They will offer a vast array of material to interest everyone.
The following groups are also meeting at the show (all free and open to the public):
- Chicago Philatelic Society (Saturday)
- Germany Philatelic Society Chapter #5 (Saturday)
- Scandinavian Collectors Club Chicago chapter (Sunday)
- Illinois Postal History Society (Sunday)
Many of these groups feature expert guest speakers giving talks open to the public. The full schedule will appear in the show program, which will be available at the hospitality desk in the hotel’s atrium. It’s also available on the Chicagopex.org website.
On Saturday morning, the APS Committee for National Exhibits and Judging (CANEJ) will be presenting session entitled “Enhancing the Joy of Creating and Judging Exhibits.”
The U.S. Postal Service and the U.N. Postal Administration will each have booths where they will be selling a variety of stamp issues and collectable items.
2019 also marks the 53nd anniversary of the philatelic literature competition with the books and other materials on display. CHICAGOPEX judges also evaluate electronic literature such as websites, blogs and online articles.
The show also includes a youth booth with free stamps and supplies.
Attendees are asked to contact the hotel to make reservations and to mention CHICAGOPEX for the special room rate. Admission and parking are free. Show hours are: Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday night will also feature a catered awards banquet. Tickets must be purchased in advance ($60 each) and dress is business casual. Please see the CHICAGOPEX website for the reservation form. Special diets can be accommodated upon request.
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About Chicago Philatelic Society (CPS):
Organized Oct. 8, 1886, continuing the Chicago Stamp Collectors Union, which was organized in Dec. 1884, CPS is chapter no.1 of the American Philatelic Society and one of two organizations with the longest uninterrupted service to philately in the U.S. Each month, CPS holds meetings on the third Thursday in downtown Chicago at the Harold Washington Library (400 S. State St.) in meeting room 3N-6. Meetings run 7 p.m.-9 p.m. and usually include a philatelic presentation and society business.
Follow CPS on social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chicagopex
Twitter: twitter.com/Chicagopex
