In 1913, New York City hosted the very first international stamp exhibition held in the United States. Each decade for the next 40 years, the show returned to the city. But the Fifth International Philatelic Exhibition in 1956 marked the end of New York City world stamp shows for more than half a century.
Other cities had voiced an interest in hosting the show, but the “Big Apple” had consistently proven to be the best option. It had the resources, the venues, and the philatelic interest to successfully coordinate such an event. True to form, the Sixth International Philatelic Exhibition (SIPEX) was also planned for New York. But differences among those in charge quickly derailed plans. With cancellation of the event looming, a Washington, D.C., philatelic group proposed moving the show to the U.S. capital. And it worked!
The success of SIPEX opened the doors for cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Diego to host the international stamp extravaganza. But finally, after nearly 60 years, the show returned to New York City. From May 28 to June 4, 2016, stamp enthusiasts from around the world journeyed to the Jacob Javits Center. While honoring a century-old tradition, thousands of patrons also celebrated a long awaited homecoming at World Stamp Show – NY 2016.