Stamp collectors and philatelists will gather for the highly anticipated San Diego Stamp Show, set to take place February 21-23 at the San Diego Mission Valley Hilton, located at 901 Camino del Rio S., San Diego, California. The event welcomes attendees free of charge, with doors open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Special Events and Exhibits
A highlight of the show will be Friday’s first-day ceremony celebrating the release of the American Vistas nondenominated (10¢) presorted standard definitive coil stamps. Visitors can explore the bourse, where over 30 dealers will be offering a variety of philatelic treasures. Additionally, more than 150 competitive exhibit frames will showcase remarkable collections.
As a World Series of Philately exhibition recognized by the American Philatelic Society, this show grants its multiframe grand award winner an invitation to the Champion of Champions competition at the Great American Stamp Show in Schaumburg, Illinois, August 14-17, 2025. Similarly, the single-frame grand award winner will qualify for the Single-Frame Championship at Chicagopex in Itasca, Illinois, November 21-23, 2025.
Judging Panel
A panel of five accredited judges will evaluate the exhibits, with Jan Hofmeyr serving as chair. The judging team includes John Hotchner, Lisa Foster, and Michael Bloom, with Lan Qing Zhang participating as an apprentice judge.
Participating Societies & Presentations
Several philatelic societies will participate in the event, offering attendees a chance to engage with specialized groups. Over the course of three days, presentations will cover topics ranging from historical postal systems to unique stamp collections. Experts will share insights on classic U.S. stamps, wartime postal history, and notable international issues. Sunday’s sessions will include a discussion on illustrated first-day covers of Ireland, with an option to join remotely via Zoom. Additional sessions will be hosted by national philatelic organizations, providing further opportunities for learning and discussion.
Additional sessions will be conducted by the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors and the Society of Israel Philatelists, with the latter organization also holding a general meeting on Sunday.
Based upon the information given on linns.com
