Westpex stamp show to host four societies

The 55th annual Westpex stamp show will take place April 24-26 at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 1800 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, Calif., just a mile south of the San Francisco International Airport. 

Westpex will officially open at 10 a.m. Friday. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission will be $5, good for all three days, and children under 15 will be admitted free with an adult.

This American Philatelic Society World Series of Philately open exhibition will feature more than 300 frames of exhibits, including participation by the American Revenue Association, State Revenue Society, United States Philatelic Classics Society and Cuban Philatelic Society of America.  The grand-award winner at Westpex will be eligible for the annual Champion of Champion competition at the American Philatelic Society Stampshow Aug.20-23  in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Edwin Andrews will serve as chairman of the exhibition jury. The jury also will include James Mazepa, Patricia Stilwell Walker, Ron Cipolla II and Timothy Wait.

More than 75 national and international dealers in stamps, postal history and postal stationery will participate in the Westpex bourse, and Schuyler Rumsey Auctions of San Francisco will conduct a four-day auction in conjunction with Westpex. A youth area will offer free stamps and supplies for young collectors.

Numerous specialty societies, clubs and study groups will hold more than 50 meetings and seminars during the three-day show.

On Sunday, April 26, a Boy Scout merit badge program is scheduled.

Events also are scheduled before the show starts. On April 22-23, the American Philatelic Society, in conjunction with the United States Philatelic Classics Society and Westpex, will conduct a special preshow On the Road course titled “Classic U.S. Stamps and Western Postal History,” led by a team of eight expert instructors and moderated by John Birkinbine II.  Pre-registration is required. Also, on April 22, the Collectors Club of San Francisco will hold a dinner meeting.

Details and reservations for all events are available from Judy Jarvis, Box 210579, San Francisco, CA 94121-0579, phone 415-387-1016 or e-mail judyjarvis@westpex.com. 

The Westpex show theme will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. A special cinderella (label) souvenir sheet will be offered, along with cacheted covers.