A Visit to the Stamp Show

Pictures of my haul from the latest COMPEX caused quite a commotion on my Instagram feed yesterday. Although I have made previously posted about how to acquire vintage stamps, I do think that stamp shows are my favorite way to procure postage. You get it immediately, no shipping required. You can look through the stamps right there, no endless clicking and open tabs. It's very satisfying to pile up postage and make new discoveries as you go. Also, the vendors really know their stuff. If you're looking for something specific, they are going to know right where it is. 

Don't think you need to be in Chicago* to attend a stamp show. There are shows held all over! A quick internet search should find you your nearest stamp club and almost every stamp club puts on a show. The vendors travel all over too, like a circus, but for stamps. See, doesn't that sound great? In addition to items for sale, the shows often have themes and exhibits. I took a bunch of notes from the exhibits at this show for future L.W.A. products and blog postings.

Although there may be sellers who focus on very niche things, I have never been to a show that didn't have a booth selling stamps at or below face value. The fact of the matter is that a lot of stamps aren't "collectible" and sellers aren't making their money from people like me who just want stamps for their letters. So, their trash is our treasure.

An item of note: some vendors may only accept cash or check, but the advent of phone credit card processing has made credit a more widely used form of payment. Be prepared and ask first before you spend two hours picking out stamps only to find a booth isn't taking cards. Also, don't be intimidated. Although it's sure to be full of mostly older white men, you have every right to be there! I stress this because I struggle with it, but stamps are for everybody. Never forget it. 

Have you been to a stamp show? Share your experiences and tips with your fellow members!

*The show isn't even IN Chicago. I took an hour plus public transit ride to River Grove for this one. 

Comments

[Cynthia]

Cool! I should have taken that train ride with you!

[Angela Cracchiolo]

I've been to two local, to me, stamp shows this year, my "firsts". I went because they only happen once a year, it's now or I'd have to wait an entire year for the next one. I'm glad I did because, just as Donovan points out, full sheets and booklets of stamps can be had at face value or LESS, such a bargain. And yes, it's mostly old white men, LOL! But I did see several female dealers and a few youngsters, so that was refreshing. Bring cash, but some dealers did take cards, and plan on spending a few hours, at least - it takes a while to look through them all.

[Constance]

There is a great stamp show in the Rockford area every year (well, great for my purposes--I'm sure it's much smaller than the Chicago show, but then again, you can only see/shop so much in a day). I now spend a whole afternoon there, but next year I'm planning to go both days. When buying foreign stamps (cancelled and uncancelled), I've found that some dealers will give a discount for purchases that add up to a decent amount (a sort of bulk discount, not advertised, just on the spot). I hope to make it to the Chicago show next year.

[Chloe McNaught]

Really enjoyed your Instagram posts of the stamp fair. My step-dad's sister is a stamp trader, mostly in collectibles, but I don't speak with her often. She is of the type of person that thinks stamps are to be squirreled away and not stuck on letters. I googled for stamp fairs in my local area and was surprised to find one in my hometown in July! If I feel brave enough I will attend and report back. The following links may be of interest to you, the first is for the Hull Philatelic Society and the second for my step-aunt's website.

https://www.hullphilatelicsociety.com
https://www.manorstamps.co.uk/

[karen weiss]

I would love to hear how people organize/store their stamps for daily use.

[Joe F.]

Another reason to bring cash and *not* your credit card is that, if you've only got $40 with you, you can't find yourself inexplicably on your way home with $350 in stamps and a gently spinning head.

[Michele]

I have been to two different local stamps shows (in suburban Seattle). As you said, the vendors are mostly white older men. But I found them to be very welcoming and eager to help me find what I’m looking for. I never pay more than face value and occasionally I can find slightly discounted vintage stamps. But also like you said, it takes a long time to look through everything. I usually find some general things I wanted to find, and then get burned out. I go every year (one club hosts two sales a year and the other has an annual sale.) A couple of the men have remembered me from previous shows (and I’m not a young chick). I definitely look forward to going to the shows (even though I DON’T NEED more stamps, but I go anyway.) Sometimes you stumble onto something great, like a stack of unused vintage air mail envelopes.

[CMN]

In SLC, the local Philatelic Club sponsors between 4-6 shows a year (sometimes combined with numismatics), which is AWESOME! Over the years I've taken different family members and I'm thrilled that my sisters, several adult nieces, and several young nieces & nephews all think it's a super fun way to spend an afternoon. In fact, those other adults have been making it a lot more frequently than I have lately. LOL! and YAY!