London 2020 - 22

London 2020 World Stamp Exhibition

The London 2020 International Stamp Exhibition which is accredited by the Fédération International de Philatélie (FIP) was scheduled to be held at the Business Design Centre in London between 2nd and 9th May inclusive. Major international shows have taken place in London for seventy years and attract visitors from all over the world. Britain holds a particular appeal for stamp collectors outside the UK because it has the oldest postal service and was the first country to introduce an adhesive postage stamp – the Penny Black. A key theme of the London 2020 show will be the 180th anniversary of the Penny Black
which Royal Mail will be marking with a number of special products. An additional theme of the exhibition will be the 150th anniversary of the British postcard which will be commemorated by Royal Mail with a show exclusive stamp sheet.

However in his Newsletter No.16 dated 18th March 2020, the Chairman of the London 2020 Organising Committee - Frank Walton RDP FRPSL announced that after consultation with the relevant bodies, in light of the current COVID-19 situation, the exhibition would be rescheduled to the 19 - 26 February 2022.

Following on from this announcement, Royal Mail have confirmed that the London 2020 retail stamp book (issued on 10th March 2020) will remain on sale and the 180th Anniversary of the Penny Black Stamp sheet will be issued as planned on 6th May 2020. However the London 2020 Exhibition Sheet, Souvenir sheet and Show Exclusive Souvenir Sheet have all had their dates of issue postponed. The Souvenir sheet is planned to be a 15,000 numbered limited edition and the Show Exclusive Souvenir Sheet 7,500 likewise.