SIRPEX 2005 will be held in the same location as last year--at the east end of University Mall, two doors east of Gloria Jean’s Coffee. It would be convenient to enter the mall by the east entrance facing Hwy. 13, by one of the theater entrance, or by the Food Court. See the enclosed flyer and entry card for all the details about the show.

David and Penney Kols of Regency Stamps in St. Louis have generously donated a beautiful “Baby Zepp” stamp to be given away at SIRPEX (top left). One free raffle ticket is available to each person attending the show—your ticket is enclosed! Just bring it and deposit it for the drawing, to be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18. A second prize of a Mint Not Hinged set of C25-C31 stamps will also be awarded. Many thanks to Regency for their donation of those stamps also!

The SIRPEX Special Cancellation features views from Grand Tower, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Grand Tower Post Office. Donna Hughes, the Postmaster of Grand Tower, will be on hand for autographing your covers. This is the second year that a PhotoStamp will be used for the club-sponsored cover. This new concept in philately made it possible to have a southern Illinois landmark, the Grand Tower Rock (above), to appear on a valid 37¢ postage stamp. Only a limited number of these collectible items will be available, so be certain to pick yours up at the show. The $3 cost will support SIRPEX, and will reward you with a lovely collectible philatelic item (color cachet, color PhotoStamp, and descriptive enclosure with information about Grand Tower).

DEALERS AT SIRPEX

The following stamp dealers plan to participate in SIRPEX:

L&C Stamps (Carl and Lois King, Sedalia, Mo.)

Quality Stamps (Ron McVay, St. Louis, Mo.)

Vest Pocket Philatelist (Bill DiSalvatore, Cherokee Village, Ark.)

Dwayne and Twylla Selix (Prattville, Alabama)

SLBF Stamps (Bill Raible, St. Louis, Mo., and Jim Langdoc, Highland, Ill.)

Star Stamps and Coins (Nancy Moellering, St. Charles, Mo.)

Bob Sazama (Clarksville, Tenn.).

These stamp dealers will be bringing their wares to our local area—the only time this year that a wide variety of stamps and covers can be found in right here in southern Illinois

SIRPEX POTLUCK

Our club will continue the tradition of a potluck dinner for our dealers, to be held on Sat., Sept. 17, at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Jon Muller, 1004 S. Taylor Dr., Carbondale. Family and friends are most welcome!! This social gathering for our dealers and their families/helpers is a tradition that has dated from the very first SIRPEX, and something that makes our stamp show special.