Popradfila 2024

From October 31 to November 16, 2024, the competitive philatelic exhibition with invited international exhibits was held in the Tatranská Gallery in the Slovak town of Poprad, located at the foot of the High Tatras.

The prestigious Prague Philatelic Club (PPCP) participated in the exhibition not only in the competitive category but also by showcasing five representative frames featuring highly esteemed exhibits from its members. Among these, special mention must be made of the exhibit dedicated to the world’s first postage stamp, the “Penny Black,” presented by Mr. Jaroslav Stuna, and the preparatory study for this stamp by Mr. Zdeněk Filípek. Significant attention was also drawn to Mr. Petr Sobotka’s exhibit featuring the first stamp of British Guiana—a 1 cent black on magenta block of four—as well as Mr. Roman Šorejs’ display of one of the rarest postal documents from the German colonial empire. Additionally, one of the most prominent exhibits from the Czechoslovak period (1918–1939), the Křivoklát tête-bêche, was on display, loaned by Mr. Marek Vrba specifically for this exhibition.

These exhibits were placed in a prominent position near the entrance to the competitive exhibition and became the focal point for visitors, including schoolchildren, whose teachers used the opportunity to explain the history of global philately and postal services. With this contribution, the PPCP successfully raised awareness of philately among the Slovak public, demonstrating that philately can be a fascinating hobby for young collectors and a lucrative interest for both small-scale and major investors from the professional and general public alike.

Three PPCP members participated in the competition category:

• Mr. Marek Vrba with the exhibit Czechoslovakia 1918–1939;
• Mr. Roman Šorejs with the exhibit Airmail in German South West Africa 1914;
• Mr. Peter Vaňuga with the exhibit Unique First Persian Issues (Lion and Sun).

All three exhibits earned gold medals, the highest recognition at the exhibition, with Mr. Marek Vrba achieving an outstanding score of 96 points, making him the overall winner of the exhibition.

On behalf of the PPCP, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the organizers of the exhibition for their exemplary collaboration during its preparation and execution, as well as for their warm welcome and strong support. Special acknowledgment must also be given to the cooperation between Slovenská Pošta, the Slovak Philatelic Federation, and other participants and organizers. This collaboration could serve as an excellent model for similar institutions in the Czech Republic.