An Post supports STAMPA 2005 - Ireland' s international stamp fair

7 October 2005

STAMPA International Stamp Exhibition
Friday October 14 - Sunday October 16
11am- 6pm
RDS, Serpentine Hall (entrance via Anglesea Road)
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Stamp collectors and enthusiasts from Ireland and around the world will be gathering at the RDS for STAMPA, the three-day national philatelic exhibition which runs from October 14-16, 2005.

With more than €5 million worth of stamps on display with many for purchase, more than 2,000 people are expected to attend the prestigious celebration of stamps and stamp collecting.

Running for 34 consecutive years, STAMPA is an annual exhibition, organised in association with An Post. To mark the opening of the event on Friday October 14, An Post will issue a special set of four stamps commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the United Nations.

An Post’s complete 2005 catalogue of stamps and philatelic products will be on sale at STAMPA where a colorful exhibition of original stamp artwork featuring Cork people and places including Roy Keane, Christy Ring, Michael Collins, Fastnet Lighthouse and Garinish Island will be displayed to mark Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture.

STAMPA has a membership of over 1,000 worldwide with members ranging in age from 15 to 92.

With such a valuable display at the RDS this weekend some lucky collectors might strike a bargain; at last year’s STAMPA one lucky dealer purchased a stamp for under €50, that turned out to be worth €5,000.

There are roughly 20,000 stamp collectors in Ireland of all ages and An Post, as the main sponsor of the event, will have a sizeable display of its many valuable collections, all of which are an important reflection of Irish history.

STAMPA will also offer a chance for collectors to enter their personal collections into competition. Entry to the competition is open to all collectors with various medals and trophies awarded to stamp collections deemed to have achieved certain standards of excellence.

In association with STAMPA, the Numismatic Society of Ireland is holding a coin and collectible fair in the RDS adjacent to the main exhibition so enthusiasts of all persuasions can enjoy and hopefully profit from the weekend.

Annual Membership of STAMPA costs just €25 and includes a family ticket for the show. Further details and membership forms are available from STAMPA at PO Box 2723, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2 or alternatively on www.stampa.ie. See also www.irishstamps.ie