US Stamps

Stamp collectors to gather in Westland, Mich., April 25-26

Mar 28, 2015, 4 AM

The cacheted cover and special cancel for the April 25-26 Plymouth Stamp Show commerates the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.

The West Suburban Stamp Club will present its 46th Plymouth Show, a stamp show and dealers' bourse, Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 36375 Joy Road, Westland, Mich.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free. The Plymouth Show website inlcudes a map of the area and driving instructions. 

A 38-dealer bourse will offer stamps, covers and supplies for both new and experienced collectors. The dealers come from nine states and Canada. In addition, a Saturday cachetmakers' bourse planned.  

The United States Postal Service, the United Nations Postal Administration and the Nordica postal agency will sell their current stamps and postal stationery issues at the Plymouth Show.

With 2000 exhibit pages, the Plymouth Show is a qualifying national show in the American Philatelic Society's World Series of Philately. The grand-award winner will be eligible to compete in the Champion of Champion exhibition at Stampshow 2015 Aug. 20-23 in Grand Rapids, Mich.  

The grand-award winner at Plymouth Show will receive a framed duck drawing by wildlife artist Larry Hillard.  In addition to the grand award, a reserve grand award, the customary five levels of medals and numerous special awards will be presented.  

A panel of three accredited APS judges will determine the exhibition award levels at the Plymouth Show. The jury is comprised of Kenneth R. Nilsestuen, chief judge, with Kathryn J. Johnson and Jeffrey N. Shapiro. At the judge’s critique, on Sunday, exhibitors can ask judges questions regarding awards and receive constructive help on how to improve their exhibits.  This is also an opportunity for future exhibitors to learn the ins and outs of exhibiting.  

“Stamps in Your Closet” sessions are scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The sessions are patterned after the successful APS national show “What’s in Your Attic” program. Experienced collectors and dealers will help identify and provide guidance on a collection’s worth.  

The show also will offer short how-to classes to small groups of adult and junior beginning collectors. The beginning collectors will receive basic collecting tools, free stamps and tips to start a collection.  Classes times can be found at the club web site.

New this year, the club will offer a “Stamp Buddy” mentoring service to new, returning and longtime collectors. The mentor can help with advising on storing material, buying supplies, online resources, disposing of unwanted material or information on breaking into new collecting areas.

The show will host the annual meeting of the Peninsular State Philatelic Society and regional meetings of the Plate Number Coil Collectors Club and American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors.  

In conjunction with the show, the club is offering for sale a cacheted cover and special cancel marking the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, Battle of New Orleans.  Collectors can purchase the covers at the show or by mail for $3 or $5 for both show dates. To order by mail, send a check or money order plus a No. 10 addressed, stamped envelope to WSSC, Box 700049, Plymouth, MI, 48170.

The Fairfield Inn and Suites, Livonia, is offering show rates of $89 to $99 per night.

The West Suburban Stamp Club meets the first and third Friday of each month at the Plymouth Historical Museum at Main and Church streets in Plymouth. Doors open at 7 p.m, and meetings include a social time, a program and a 25-lot stamp auction.