Stampex

Stampex is a British stamp show held at the Business Design Centre (BDC) in Islington, London. The show is organised by the Philatelic Traders Society (PTS) through their company The Philatelic Traders’ Society Limited company and has been running for many years.

Elements of the show
The show includes stands of stamp dealers, auction houses, and others who are members of the PTS. There are also specialist philatelic societies meetings, Stampex Talks, Exhibiting and more.

There is a youth area run by the Stamp Active Network, formerly the National Youth Stamp Group,.

Tickets & Souvenirs
Admission is £10 on day one and free of charge for days 2, 3 and 4. Visitors to Stampex 2023 will receive a show handout. At the Spring 2009 show a postcard was given featuring unadopted artwork by stamp designer Jeffery Matthews for a proposed 1979 Welsh Assembly stamp issue.

History
Stampex has not always been at the BDC. For many years it was located at the Central Hall, Westminster when it was organised between the PTS and The Junior Philatelic Society (now the National Philatelic Society).

The Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen from Westminster Central Hall while exhibited as part of a "Sport with Stamps" display during Stampex in March 1966. Stamps worth an estimated £3m were left behind. The trophy was subsequently recovered.

Other British shows
There is no other regular national show competing with Stampex in the UK, although many smaller shows take place and an FIP endorsed international show takes place in London every ten years.

The name has been adopted for stamp shows in other countries, for instance Hong Kong Stampex and Adelaide Stampex, however, none are connected with the British version.