World Stamp Championship & Exhibition, Jerusalem 2018

WORLD STAMP CHAMPIONSHIP & EXHIBITION, JERUSALEM, MAY 27TH-31ST, 2018.

To spend a couple of days in Jerusalem is amazing, as it always is. This time I had a very convenient place to stay as my daughter is studying in the City and has an apartment close to the centre. Walking to the International Convention Centre (Exhibition location) was a brisk 10 minutes away and the bustling hub of the City just beyond. 
It was a pity then that the World Stamp Championship did not really live up to it's name, at least as far as I was concerned, although the display frames were filled with such collections that I can only dream of. So maybe that was part of my disappointment.


(International Convention Centre (ICC), top left...with building works in the foreground !!)

I had been here a number of times so knew where to go, but once again the lack of directions for foreign visitors was evident. Even the Main Entrance gave no indication as to what visitors would find there. So I wasn't really surprised that I stopped 3 times to point fellow collectors in the right direction ! I know security plays a large part in this but I think it carrying it a bit far.
The show programme once again contained a limited edition souvenir sheet at an extortionate price so I passed up on that. It was frustrating that there was no way to buy the programme at a cheaper price. To read the events and display topics, I was given a free monthly journal in Hebrew, which was OK for me but for those from other countries, very annoying (one would think).
The main problem I experienced, and I was not alone, was viewing the display frames. The ceiling of the main hall was covered with hundreds of tiny lights and the top row of all the frames was covered in the reflections !! Some were almost impossible to see or read . I didn't recall seeing this during previous visits. I know the organizers received a number of comments about this so hopefully in the future.........
There wasn't much to browse through or buy for my collecting interests and what I did see was either way too expensive or of poor quality. Indeed, the only stamps I purchased was a nice set of Lebanon Airmails which I have posted in the appropriate section of our forum.
On the plus side, some of the displays were quite breathtaking (even if some were invisible). Noted was a large Gold Medal awarded to 12 frames of Private Shipping Company Labels and Covers where I spent a good hour reading every word, looking at every label and cover. Truly the best in the show.
Others included Early Russian Airmails; Varieties and Plate Flaws of Rumania, King Carol II Definitives and a study of the Zefat Emergency stamps of 1948 to name but a few. Perhaps the most incredible research award should have gone to the display of Czechoslovakian Perfins where each perfin was named, information displayed about the company, dates of usage of the stamps.....quite awe-inspiring. As I was walking around I was sending pictures to fellow collectors via WhatsApp !! The joys of modern technology !!
There were other good things seen. Lots of children, both in school parties and with parents, sitting around showing each other their stamps. There were members of the IPF (Israel Philatelic Federation) on hand to give free guided tours of the displays to groups or individuals which I had never seen before. I heard talks in Hebrew, English and French so they were well organized.
All in all, it was a stamp event which I like to attend no matter what, and it wasn't so bad I guess. I also managed to walk around the town and see some sites and even a Stamp shop where I spent a nice hour chatting to the owner.
I have included a few pictures of the event below, some of the displays are not good due to reflections, so my apologies for that. I have included a few others including the ONLY Post Box I saw outside of the ICC !! And it was made in Britain !!!

Enjoy,

Londonbus1




(Old Postage Stamp dispensers still on the wall of the main Post Office)


(The biggest radio in Israel, it was blaring out good music too !!)

MORE TO COME IN FOLLOWING POSTS (including stamps!).............

Second Day, when I saw the sights first !!



(The City Hall was draped in Flags. But can you notice something odd about them ?)



(There was a Kosher McDonald's, above, and Fish 'en Chips, below !! If your Kippa had blown away, well that was next door!!






(Then there was my lunch, that Lebanese masterpiece, Felafel !!)



(Then it was back up the (Train Only) main drag to the Exhibition, for the final dose of stamps !!)



(In a display of Iraq Overland Mail I found these divine etiquettes issued by Iraq Post in 1925.)


(Small part of the display about the aforementioned Zefat Emergency Post. It was just superb. So much so that for a brief mad moment
I went  looking for an example to buy ! I found two copies, but luckily I did not have enough money on me !!)


(Another item from the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (issued sheet), part of the Private Ship Letter Stamp display)


(A made-up Bromide Essay sheet of Jerusalem Siege Revenues. These were part of a display of the 4 Emergency Mails in Israel
during the 1948 War of Independence, which contained some very scarce and rare items)




Finally, 2 items from a wonderful display of Mahatma Gandhi material that came with it's owner from India. These were just 2
of the scarce items seen in this exhibit. The latter also shows the problems with the lighting that I touched upon in an earlier post.
Very frustrating as you can see, and this was not the top row of the frame pages !! Can you imagine what they were like ! 

Before I ride off into the distance I want to go back to something I mentioned very early on. Yes, the displays were magnificent but
they were also put together with a lot of expensive items which many cannot afford. I did not see even one display that would have
held the interest of the many Children and youth that were in attendance all week. Yes, they would have enjoyed looking at the stamps,
but I doubted very much they could have got many ideas of their own from them. In short, there were no exhibits for the young or 
young at heart, no topical collections that would have given the kids that 'Wow' factor. I have been to many Exhibitions and Events 
there is always something for everyone, including the younger visitors. Apart from being led to the latest new issues of Israel, there
wasn't much for them to look at and relate to. And that was a pity.

I hope you have enjoyed my rather long-winded look at Jerusalem 2018, for the good and the bad. If you haven't then my apologies.
But at least you have had an insight into a World Stamp Exhibition, albeit one with faults !!

Londonbus1

That is the answer ! Both Flags have been hoisted vertically so they have changed the direction on the COA of the Flag of Jerusalem !! Now to me, and most likely a good number of other onlookers, the pair together look odd. I belong to a couple of Flag Groups and they spotted it right away !! I didn't have the time to go in and ask why !!