Every decade since 1971, Japan has hosted a World Stamp Exhibition. In 2011 the trend continued when Philanippon 2011 took place on the shores of Yokohama.

Philanippon 2011 was held from 28 July to 2 August 2011, and brought the philatelic community together on an international scale. Located less than half an hour south of Tokyo by train, the picturesque waterfront city of Yokohama is Japan’s second largest city with a population of over three million people.

The theme of Philanippon 2011 is ‘Stamps Link the World’, and the exhibition will feature approximately 2500 frames across 12 classes. Postal services from around the globe attended the event, which attracted up to 100,000 visitors.

New Zealand Post has issued a special exhibition miniature sheet and exhibition souvenir cover to commemorate the event. The exhibition miniature sheet incorporates two $1.90 All Blacks stamps as well as a $1.90 silver Round Kiwi stamp – all set against Mount Taranaki in New Zealand’s North Island. Part of a national park, this snowtopped 2518 metre mountain is a popular destination for tourists and trampers alike.

Source: New Zealand Post

published August 20th, 2011