FEPA News

FEPA NEWS 45 23 Forthcoming Exhibitions The International Stamp Fair will once again be held at the Exhibition Hall, Böfinger Str. 50, 89073 Ulm, Germany from 24th–26th October 2024. For three days visitors will be able to rummage through the dealers, auction houses, publishers and postal administrations in Hall 1and to view the exhibits in no less than three competitive exhibitions in Hall 2. The Arbeitsgemeinschaften (specialist working groups) and Libraries will also have stands in Hall 2 along with the Southwest Germany Philatelic Association, the Southwestern Youth Organisation, the Bavaria Association and the Bund Deutscher Philatelisten (the German Federation). Following last year’s fair there was a strong move to bring in more postcard and coin dealers and this will be a feature this year. Around 70 dealers, auction houses, publishers and postal administrations will be present and anyone who wants advice on the authenticity of their material will be able to consult the Federation of Philatelic Experts at their stand. They can give valuable reassurance on whether collectors can take their purchases home with a light heart or if it would be better to return them to the vendor. Collectors have a range of choice on which competition to enter. Anyone wishing to gain experience with an exhibit by putting it in at the regional level can enter ‘REMSMA 2024’. Space is limited so early entry is advisable. Another highlight will be the final of the BDPh team competition. Nine teams began the ‘Exhibiting’ adventure three years ago and the exhibitors will be able to show what they have learnt in what will now be the last round of the competition. Then there will be the legendary competition for the Golden Posthorn organised by the German Society for Collectors of Old Letters (DASV) that is a pinnacle for all postal historians. The exhibits are evaluated by an international jury team and the Posthorns are awarded in accordance with a special regulation in seven classes – Pre-philatelic; Philatelic before the UPU; Philatelic post-UPU to 1945; Postmark, Regional and Local Studies; Historic and Special collections; One Frame exhibits; and Literature. Any exhibitor who owns a postal history exhibit can enter without qualification. Unofficially the competition is the ‘German Championship’ in postal history. There will also be interesting presentations to attend. Under the guidance of its President, Klaus Weis, the DASV is inviting three internationally recognised experts in postal history to talk about interesting aspects of their special subjects on Friday afternoon. The specialist working groups will also hold meetings and visitors may find that they have to make choices on which lectures and presentations to attend. This year the Southwestern Association will once again organise a special competition among the younger school children in Ulm. Last year 50 children rushed into the Exhibition Hall for this event and each was given a basic set of equipment for stamp collecting. Beyond philately Ulm can offer visitors a picturesque town centre with the famous gothic Ulm Münster (Cathedral) which still holds the world record for the church with the highest spire. The Southwestern Association is giving financial support to group tours to Ulm by bus or train. The Exhibition Hall offers free parking and can easily be reached from the main railway station by tram. The nearest airport is Stuttgart- Echterdingen. From there it is a half-hour ride to the Stuttgart train station and the train connection between Stuttgart and Ulm takes less than an hour. The airport in Munich is also only a two-hour train ride away. Whether novices or old hands, all philatelists should set aside the last weekend in October for Ulm. It will be well worth a visit. International Stamp Fair At Ulm, 24th – 26th October 2024 Lars Böttger writes: