Bay Area Stamp Fest Underway in San Jose

The event is hosted at Napredak Hall, a venue with a long history in San Jose. Founded in 1925 by a group of Yugoslavian friends, "Napredak" means "progress," and the hall was established to preserve Slavic traditions and serve as a social center. Today, it hosts a variety of community and private events on its six-acre property. This stamp festival is organized by Tom Kinberg of Stamp Art, whose family has been involved in philately since the 1800s. Kinberg, who started collecting at age nine, is now a prominent dealer who participates in over 45 shows a year, catering to everyone from beginners to advanced collectors. The show will feature 15 dealers from California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. A major focus of the festival is "topical collections," where stamps are collected based on a specific subject. This approach allows enthusiasts to build collections around their personal interests, which can range from popular themes like birds, flowers, and sports to more niche topics like space exploration or historical figures. For those curious about the value of old letters or inherited collections, there will be free appraisals available on Sunday. The event is designed to be welcoming for all levels of interest, from seasoned collectors to families looking for a unique and educational weekend outing. Admission and parking for the event are free.