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1929-2004 - 75 years of philatelic exhibitions in Gdańsk !
by Giles du Boulay.

Seventy five years ago, in 1929, the then named Free City of Danzig was gripped by economic and political difficulties with rising unemployment. The idea of holding the first international stamp exhibition in the city was not at first supported by the authorities. Enthusiasm began to grow, however, thanks to the efforts of the sponsors der Verein für Briefmarkenkunde and der Verein der Briefmarkenfreunde and particularly the seven men of the organising committee: Messrs. Buchmann, Danschke, Dittmann, Goldberger, Holtz, Ruberg, and Wiesenewsky. Collectors, dealers and Societies lent valuable support also through advertising and by means of numerous donations. So it was at last that The DANZIG International Stamp Exhibition was held from 7-14 July 1929.

The aims of the Exhibition were to give visitors an idea of what philately was really about, and, through its professionalism and displays, to advance the cause of philately and thereby to win more converts to the hobby. Such aims hold just as true today particularly when young people have so many choices of pastimes and interests, more spending power and technological wizardry at their fingertips. Philately has to compete within a crowded arena. But the collecting instinct is strong and the experienced collectors of today, in 2004, must lead the way in encouraging more young people into our hobby.

Let me share with you, therefore, my enjoyment in telling the story of the 1929 Exhibition – using examples of the stamps and postal history items connected with the event.

The stationery [Fig.1] used by the Exhibition management for the great deal of official correspondence necessary, was printed with a distinctive logo in black depicting a stylised representation of the city’s arms in red. Adhesive letter seals of the same design were also produced.

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