Chicagopex 2026 Convening Societies
The American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors exists to share and discuss ideas and techniques for improving standards of exhibit preparation, judging, and the management of exhibitions. AAPE serves the entire range of people who work or have an interest in one or more of these fields; whether novice, experienced, or just beginning to think about getting involved. Through pursuit of our purposes, it is our goal to encourage your increasing participation and enjoyment of philatelic exhibiting, and to ensure the health of this part of our hobby.
The The China Stamp Society The Society was formed in 1936 to promote interest in Chinese philately, including Hong Kong, Macau, Manchukuo, Tibet, Shanghai and the Treaty Ports, Foreign Offices in China and the Japanese Occupation of China. Founding members included Lloyd S. Ruland and Major James Starr. Other prominent members have included Donald R. Alexander, J. Lewis Blackburn, Ellery Denison, Charles W. Dougan, Philip W. Ireland, Carl A. Kilgas, Warren Kauder, William E. Jones, and Norman Townsend. It is the largest English-speaking Chinese philatelic organization in the world and the oldest affiliate of the American Philatelic Society. The society is a non-political organization.
Among other activities, the Society underwrites philatelic research projects, publishes philatelic books, puts on seminars at major stamp shows, and scans out-of-print philatelic publications to offer to collectors on DVDs. Members receive The China Clipper magazine six times a year and discounts on books published by the Society, publications offered on DVDs, and other literature sold by the Society. The first eighty-five years of The China Clipper magazine are available on DVDs.
Members also enjoy a free translation service for postal markings and other philatelic tems. Since 2012 the Society has published the 'China Stamp Society Specialized Catalog of China to 1949'. The current edition was published in 2021.
The Society’s Annual Convention is held each year at a major stamp exhibition in the US. The Society presents awards for philatelic exhibiting and for philatelic writing. The Society has international Chapters in Qingdao, Shandong, China and Taipei, Taiwan.
In 2026 the Society will be celebrating its 90th Anniversary at CHICAGOEPX.
The The American Plate Number Single Society (APMSS) specializes in plate number singles and other marginal markings such as ZIP singles and Copyright singles. We illustrate plate number single examples of every U.S. postage stamp on our website, including PNS varieties such as Bureau precancels, local precancels, misperfs, color shifts, proofs and counterfeits. APNSS also publishes Hebert's Catalogue of Plate Number Singles, with the latest 2026 edition available now.