World Stamp Exhibition - China 2009 , Luoyang...

Date of Issue - 01-04-2009

China 2009 Exhibition
An FIP General World Stamp Exhibition, China 2009, is being held from April 10 to 16, 2009 in Luoyang City, Henan Province, China. The exhibition will mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of PR China, and is being staged in collaboration with the State Stamp Bureau of PR China. New Zealand issued a Miniature sheet to commemorate this event on 1 April 2009.

FDC issued by New Zealand for China - 2009

More than 3,200 framed stamp collections have been displayed at the event . Among the 80 frames of rare stamps is the world-renowned "Penny Black" from the British royal family, as well as Red Revenue Stamps from the China National Post and Postage Stamp Museum.

Eight different medals will be awarded to stamp collections in the competition category. The Large Gold Medal and the Gold Medal are the top prizes.More than 60 experts from 20 countries and regions form the World Stamp Exhibition Evaluation Committee. Its job is to review the competitive collections sent by FIP members.

The earliest international stamp exhibition was held in Vienna in 1881. The first FIP-sponsored World Stamp Exhibition was held in Algiers in 1930, after the federation was established in 1926. The World Stamp Exhibition, regarded now as "the Olympics of Philately culture activities", was held in China for the first time in 1999 in Beijing. This year is the second time for the country to host the event.

Luoyang, a city with a long history and profound culture, was once the capital of 13 dynasties. The stamp exhibition is the first event to be held in the new hall of the Luoyang Museum, which was finished on March 26.

The commemoration envelopes displayed during the opening ceremony of 2009 World Stamp Exhibition in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, April 10, 2009. [Photo Courtesy: Xinhua]