(wm-pcp) As is well known, the so-called centre of philately at major events, fairs as well as exhibitions is the contact point for all those interested parties who want to be competently informed about the advantages and services of the German philatelic associations. This will also be the case at IBRA, which will take place from 25-28 May 2023 together with the 33rd International Stamp Fair in Essen (exhibition halls 7 + 8). The Bund Deutscher Philatelisten e.V. (BDPh) will present itself there, as will the Deutsche Philatelisten-Jugend (DPhJ), the Bundesverband des Deutschen Briefmarkenhandels (APHV) and the Bund Deutscher Briefmarken-Versteigerer (BDB). An additional BDPh advisory stand in this Philately Centre will offer valuable information on collector protection and counterfeit detection. Last but not least, all commemorative printed matter will be available at an IBRA stand, i.e. philatelic IBRA-related covers and stamps, but also the exhibition catalogue and a selection of books published, among others, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the BDPh, etc.

As the organiser, the BDPh is presenting itself and German philately in its ‘centre’, but also to world philately. Comparable to other world exhibitions, it is presenting an unusual special show entitled “German Philately: Yesterday – Today”, which looks back on the development of philately in Germany since 1858. In ten showcases, the theme “From the first collectors, dealers, clubs and associations to the Federation of German Philatelists” is illuminated using selected philatelic objects, usually letters and postal stationery, in a way that has probably never been seen before. The unusual exhibit – already the format size of 21 x 21 cm of the 80 object sheets, which is necessary for the showcases, indicates this – was specially redesigned for IBRA 2023 by exhibitor Wolfgang Maassen, a well-known philatelic historian from Schwalmtal. For all those who do not have the opportunity to see this exhibit in person, the exhibitor is planning a publication of the exhibit in printed form, signed and numbered, which will be available in small editions at the IBRA stand during IBRA.