It's Time to Register for the 2020 Postal History Symposium! 

Back in July in order to overcome the health and safety concerns of the ongoing pandemic, it was decided that the 2020 Postal History Symposium would be held virtually. The biennial event, jointly hosted by the American Philatelic Society, the American Philatelic Research Library, the National Postal Museum and this year by the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, was re-imagined virtually and rescheduled for October 26-30, 2020.

The symposium  which has been held since 2006 and hosted alternatively at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and the American Philatelic Center provides a forum for philatelists, academic scholars, postal historians, and the interested public to discuss and present research that integrates philately or the history of postal operations into the broader context of world history. This year's theme is Postal Innovation of the Classic Era - Evolution Leading to Modernization.

During the five-day symposium there will be research presented on various aspects of postal innovation in the Classic Era. Each day will include three speakers presenting virtual sessions. Along with these presentations, the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, co-sponsor of the 2020 symposium, will provide access to a special collection of virtual U.S. postal history philatelic exhibits. This special collection of exhibits will include some exhibits having been specially chosen for viewing during this year’s 2020 Postal History Symposium. 

But in order to access the presentations and the virtual exhibits you need to register for the symposium first. Registration is simple. 

If you already have an online APS account: 

1. Log in to the APS website at stamps.org.
2. Once you are logged in, go to the 2020 Postal History Symposium Registration
3. Once there, register for the symposium by clicking the blue "Register for Postal History Symposium" button (your login email will automatically appear in the text box above the registration button).
4. After clicking the registration button, you will then be sent an email confirming your registration for the symposium.
5. Following your registration you will be able to view the schedule of presentations (with bios and synopses) and begin accessing and viewing the online virtual exhibits presented and hosted by the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society.  

If you have not already made an account on the APS website creating one is free and easy. Just follow the instructions through this link: Making an online APS account. (Note: You do not need to be an APS member in order to create an online APS account or to register for the symposium.)

Once you have created an online APS account, then register for the symposium by following the instructions above.

The 2020 Postal History Symposium promises to be a unique virtual opportunity to experience presentations regarding the latest in postal history research and to explore a collection of world-class virtual postal history exhibits.

Register for the 2020 Postal History Symposium Today!