Hong Kong 2004 Stamp Expo

Hong Kong 2004 was the 17th Asian International Stamp Exhibition held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre at Wanchai on Hong Kong Island overlooking the harbour to Kowloon.  There were 973 frames in the Competitive classes as well as the Court of Honour, the Official Class and the Invitation Class.

The exhibition covered a very large area with 116 Trade Stands including Postal Administrations, Stamp Printers and Stamp Traders with more than half being Postal Administrations.  The exhibits were in a separate area at the back of the stands, but this did no discourage the large number of people, including many children, from looking at the exhibits.  Entry was free and the number of people attending each day would have been in the thousands with a very high proportion of children and young people.  There was an area called "My Stamp" which attracted many people mainly young and a separate Youth Corner for the Younger collector.  There was also a stage area where the Stamp Designers were available for autographs with a different designer/artist each day.

Administration support was very good with a welcoming dinner, dinner on the harbour as well as the Australia Post promotion for Pacific Explorer 2005.  No transport was required as all events were held within a short walking distance of the official hotel via a covered walkway.

The Grand Prix D'Honneur was presented to Siam Classic: The Early Years by Chirakiti Prakob.  The Grand Prix International winner was Federated Malay States by Yau Khai Weng. The Grand Prix National was awarded to Empress Dowager Jubilee and its Surcharges by Chen Shih Jen.

Thirteen Australians participated; details of their entries and results are provided below.  Two made the journey to Hong Kong and both attended the Palmares where Large Gold, Gold and the Grand Prix were presented.  The other medals and certificates were picked up with the entries.  Australia had 2 jurors in Michael Blake and Malcolm Groom, while Gary Brown was an Apprentice juror

FIP Classes (multi frame)

Richard Gurevitch Hong Kong : Postal issues of the Queen Victoria period Gold [90]
Derek Pocock Nicaragua : Postal Stationery to 1924 Large Vermeil [87]
Boon-Swee Yen Straits Settlements Vermeil [82]
Donald Napier Jamaica - Early Postal History 1710 - 1880 Vermeil [81]
Derek Pocock Nicaragua: Postal Stationery to 1924 Large Vermeil [87]
Ian McMahon Postal Stationery of Canada issued during the Reign of King George VI Vermeil [81]
Linda Lee Flower Magic Vermeil [80]
John DiBiase Western Australia : The Railway Parcel Stamps and Labels Vermeil [80]
Penny Wells New Zealand - The Penny Universal 1901-1908 Large Silver [79]
Ross Wood Flying Boats over the Pacific Large Silver [77]

FIP Class - Literature

Richard Gurevitch Hong Kong : Queen Victoria Postal Adhesives - Volumes 1 & 2 Large Vermeil [85]
Charles Bromser The Asia Pacific Exhibitor 2002-2003 [8 issues] Vermeil [80]
George Fedyk Handbook of Modern Ukrainian Philately : A catalogue of stamps, stationery and cancellations 1991-2000 Large Silver [78]

One-Frame

Barbara Bartsch The 1/2d BCOF Overprint Silver [86]
Michel Roland Postal Stationery of Occupied Belgium (1914-1918) Silver [75]

 [ Source:  APF News, April 2004 ]