Europhilex opens in London to a crowd of eager collectors

Europhilex, the 2015 international stamp exhibition, opened in London on Wednesday, May 13, to a good crowd of collectors eager to purchase from Royal Mail the souvenir sheet marking the 175th anniversary of the Penny Black.

The British post office printed a limited supply of miniature sheets consisting of two "refreshed" Penny Blacks and two Two-Penny Blues as current 1st class NVI special definitives.

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The block of four of the two adhesive postage stamps first issued in 1840 is printed with a special surround indicating Europhilex 2015, 13 - 16 May London, Business Design Centre and numbered up to 7,500.

Lines at Royal Mail's booth for purchasing the special overpinted version were long. Sales were limited to three per person and could only be acquired at  the show. Several dealers were trolling the area offering immediately to purchase sheets from collectors in order to obtain stocks.

The show continues for three more days.  More than 140 dealers and postal administrations are participating, and 1,400 frames of exhibits have been set up and judged.

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