This past weekend, we had the pleasure of attending and participating in the WESTPEX 2025 Show. It was a wonderful chance to meet collectors from all over the country, exchange ideas, and share in the excitement and love of philately.

Engaging Presentations 

One of our personal highlights of the show was Angelo’s presentations, which brought philatelic history and community engagement to center stage. 

📌 “Learn about the United States Philatelic Classics Society and the Carriers & Locals Society”

Angelo presented on behalf of the Carriers and Locals Society and the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, promoting the valuable resources and research these organizations provide to collectors. Both societies play a crucial role in advancing knowledge and appreciation for U.S. stamps and postal history, and it was great to see so much interest from attendees. 

It was also a special honor to introduce Steve Walske to the crowd. Steve has just released his latest publication, “Letter Communications Through the Blockades of North America 1774 to 1865.” This important new work examines letter communications during times of conflict and blockades, and includes a comprehensive census of Civil War blockade-run covers. Steve is one of the most respected figures in postal history research, and it was wonderful to see the community celebrate the release of his new book. You can read more about Steve Walske’s new publication and and learn how to purchase the book here, on the USPCS site.

📌 “Carried by Stage & Train: A Selection of Express Mail That Built the West”

Angelo took the stage once again, this time to present on how early express mail helped build the American West. This talk explored the role of private express companies, stagecoaches, and railroads in connecting isolated settlements and supporting the region’s explosive growth following the discovery of Gold. Through a selection of covers, he illustrated how these artifacts provide a tangible link to the pioneers who shaped the frontier. We were delighted to bring all of the covers highlighted in the presentation with us, to pass around the room, giving attendees a hands-on connection to the material. Highlights from the presentation included:

Many of the items featured in the presentation will be offered in our upcoming June 2025 auction. It will be an incredible opportunity to own pieces of the history that helped define the American West.

If you missed the presentation, you can view the slides below. Be sure to check out the links to resources embedded throughout the presentation by clicking on the images.

Carried by Stage & Train (Westpex 2025) by Americana Stamps

Connecting with Collectors 

Beyond the presentations, one of the highlights of the show was getting to meet fellow collectors, explore incredible exhibits, and swap stories about what keeps us all passionate about philately. We were especially excited to see an Inverted Jenny in person while visiting the “U.S. Inverts and Select World Rarities Under 100 Extant” exhibit, which one a Gold Award, a real once-in-a-lifetime moment!

A big thank you to the Westpex team for organizing a great event and to everyone who stopped by to chat, attend the presentations, or share their collecting stories. We always enjoy these opportunities to engage with the philatelic community and look forward to seeing many of you again at NAPEX in June!

If you missed the presentations or want to learn more about Americana Stamps and our upcoming auctions, feel free to reach out—we’d love to connect!