Stamp collectors and enthusiasts from Ireland and around the world will be gathering at the RDS this weekend for the three-day national philatelic exhibition STAMPA.
Organisers expect over 2,000 people to attend the exhibition to view, and perhaps buy, some of the €5 million worth of stamps on display. Last year one lucky dealer purchased a stamp for under €50 that turned out to be worth €5,000.
An Post will launch four commemorative stamps to celebrate Ireland's 50th Anniversary of UN membership at the exhibition. The stamps feature FH Boland, Ireland's signatory when Ireland joined the UN; An Garda Síochána's role in overseas duty; and members of the Irish Defence Forces in both the Lebanon and East Timor.
A collection to mark Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture will also be on display. Original stamp artwork features Cork people and places including Roy Keane, Christy Ring, Michael Collins, Fastnet Lighthouse and Garnish Island.
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 which are a reflection of Irish history.
STAMPA will also 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.