5 December 2008 

Most collectors have already made a note of the dates May 8 to 15, 2010, when the international stamp exhibition, London 2010, will take place at the Business Design Centre in London. As with all international stamp exhibitions, this will include exhibits in the principal competitive classes, plus a wealth of dealers from around the world, including a major presence by Royal Mail. However, the exhibition is just part of an amazing Festival of Stamps being coordinated by The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) that will give stamp collecting wide exposure throughout the United Kingdom during the year.

 When planning your visit to London, remember that the activities will begin before May 8. There is a crucial date in the philatelic calendar, May 6 – the day the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, officially came into use, and also the date on which, in 1910, King George V came to the throne. The reign of George V will be celebrated by a very special exhibition at Guildhall Art Gallery, City of London. It will include material from The Royal Philatelic Collection and the BPMA. The exhibition opens on May 7 and remain open until July 25. (Guildhall Art Gallery is close to St Paul’s Cathedral, the Royal Exchange and The Monument in the heart of the ‘Square Mile’, and only a short walk from Tate Modern.)

 Also, on May 6 and 7 The Royal Philatelic Society London will be presenting dedicated displays in its meeting rooms. Tickets will be required: more details will be available later. (The ‘Royal’ is situated close to Baker Street and Madame Tussauds.)

 On May 5 to 7 Philatex Extra will take place at The Lawrence Hall of the Royal Horticultural Society in Greycoat Street in London (a short walk from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament). An established event in the British philatelic calendar, Philatex brings together a range of dealers, many with a postal history bias.

 So, make sure you don’t miss out. Plan your visit to London to include all these fantastic events, while taking the opportunity of seeing just what makes London such a vibrant capital.

 More details of London 2010: Festival of Stamps are available on the website, www.london2010.org.uk.

- Ends -

Jenny Karlsson, PR & Communications Officer

The British Postal Museum & Archive, www.postalheritage.org.uk

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 020 7239 2574

Note to Editors:

•  London 2010: Festival of Stamps is a year-long programme of exhibitions, events and activities to mark the centenary of the accession of George V, the philatelist king. 
• The festival includes a major international stamp exhibition at the Business Design Centre, Islington for stamp collectors, supported by Royal Mail. 
• The British Postal Museum & Archive is co-ordinating wider festival events and activities at venues across London, the centre of which is an exhibition - ‘Empire Mail: George V and the GPO’ – about communication, design and innovation in the GPO during the King’s reign. This exhibition takes place at Guildhall Art Gallery, City of London, and will showcase material from both the BPMA and the Royal Philatelic Collection. 
• The British Postal Museum & Archive is the leading resource for all aspects of British postal history. It is a combined museum and archive, bringing together The Royal Mail Archive and a Museum Store. With collections ranging from staff records to stamps, poster design to photography and from transport to telegrams, it cares for the visual, written and physical records from over 400 years of innovation and service, illuminating the fascinating story of British communications. Records in The Royal Mail Archive are Designated as being of outstanding national importance. For more information see www.postalheritage.org.uk. 
• The City of London Corporation provides local authority services for the Square Mile, including support for the international financial services industry based in the UK. Its responsibilities also extend far beyond the City boundaries and include management of the Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000 acres of open space including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port Health Authority. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk 
• Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre is home to the City of London’s art collection. Admission to the Guildhall Art Gallery costs £2.50 for adults (concessions £1). Entry is free for City workers and residents, as well as all day on Fridays and from 3.30pm on other days. Guildhall Yard, London, EC2. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
• London 2010: Festival of Stamps partner venues include The British Museum, The British Library, Marylebone Cricket Club Museum at Lord’s, Bletchley Park, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, Twickenham World Rugby Museum and many others. 
• London 2010: Festival of Stamps will extend nationally by means of activities run in conjunction with the Association of British Philatelic Societies (ABPS), regional philatelic federations and their local societies aimed at showcasing, celebrating and raising public awareness of British stamp design and postal heritage.