1936 Philatelic Exhibition Poster Stamps

This set of four poster stamps was produced for the Third International Philatelic Exhibition, known as TIPEX, held at Grand Central Palace in New York City from May 9 to 17, 1936. The show drew thousands of eager collectors on its opening morning, and organizers marked the occasion with an official opening ceremony that included the release of carrier pigeons carrying invitations to President Franklin Roosevelt and other government officials. Produced by the American Bank Note Company, the same firm responsible for printing postage stamps for numerous countries, these poster stamps were distributed in sets of four singles to members of the sponsoring organization before the show and then sold primarily in that configuration throughout the exhibition's run.

Each stamp in the set features an identical design showing Mercury, the Roman god of trade, merchants, and travel, positioned between a merchant ship at sea and a railroad train. Mercury served as the messenger of the gods in Roman mythology, making him a fitting symbol for an exhibition celebrating the postal system and the movement of mail. The design appeared in four different colors, with each sheet printed in a run of fifty.

Poster stamps had reached the height of their popularity in the years surrounding World War I, and by 1936 they remained a familiar tool for advertising major events like TIPEX. The exhibition itself proved highly successful, drawing collectors from across the country and around the world to celebrate the hobby of stamp collecting. Attendees could also witness a visit from the airship Hindenburg during the show's run, adding to the excitement surrounding what became one of the most memorable philatelic gatherings of the decade.