Two-day UN Expo 17 opens in Bellefonte, Pa.

By Michael Baadke

The UN Expo 17 stamp show and exhibition opened Friday morning, Oct. 27, at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, Pa.

The event included a first-day ceremony with the participation of a United Nations stamp designer.The American Philatelic Center is home to the headquarters of the American Philatelic Society, and the American Philatelic Research Library.

The stamp show is a joint effort by the United Nations Philatelists Inc. and the APS.

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Collectors began the day attending an opening ceremony hosted in the library by APS Executive Director Scott English, APS Chief Operating Officer Ken Martin, and UNPI President Greg Galletti, who is also chairman of the two-day show.

English praised the efforts of the APS and the UNPI to jointly host the show, which is a one-time entry into the World Series of Philately. That means the exhibitor winning the grand award at UN Expo 17 will qualify to enter the Champion of Champions competition when APS Stampshow takes place in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 9-12, 2018.

“I just want to welcome you all to the American Philatelic Center,” Martin added. “It’s great to see a nice crowd in here.”

Martin described the layout of the show and the location for the 125 frames of competitive United Nations-themed exhibits. The exhibit judges for the show are Liz Hisey, Jeffrey Shapiro and chief judge Bob Ziegler.

Galletti also welcomed the attendees, reminding them that the first UN Expo took place 25 years ago, in 1991, at the APS headquarters, then in nearby State College, Pa.

“It was actually a very splendid event, and I believe this UN Expo is going to be even better.”

Galletti also thanked the APS and APRL for hosting the show, and many of the individuals who helped put the show together and make it possible.

English, Martin and Galletti also participated in an afternoon first-day ceremony for the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights souvenir sheet, where they were joined by stamp designer Rorie Katz of the United Nations Postal Administration's graphic design team.

“It’s an honor to be here today and to meet with you,” Katz said. “My favorite part of my job is I get to come and meet people who collect my stamps, and make my job possible.”

Katz noted that the Declaration of Human Rights stamps, which feature the entire text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its preamble in English, German and French, has been submitted to Guinness for certification as having the most words of any stamp in the world.

The show will continue in Bellefonte through Saturday.