Pittsburgh Philatelic Resources

This page has information about stamp shows, stamp stores and dealers, auction services and other resources in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. The accompanying comments are strictly my opinions or what I've heard and am passing on. If you are aware of resources that I have missed, please feel free to let me know at ghp3@mindspring.com.

There have been several recent changes in the Pittsburgh stamp world, unfortunately, I would consider none of them as being for the better and some are for the worse.

I've gotten several nice comments and information about additional resources, which I've included. There have been some significant changes in the Pittsburgh stamp market in recent months and if anybody has any additional information, please let me know. Thanks to all. May 10, 2000

Stamp Shows in Pittsburgh
Stamp and Supply Dealers
Auction Services
Other Philatelic Services
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Stamp Shows

Pittsburgh features a suprisingly healthy stamp show season with 10-12 commercial and club offerings a year within the metropolitan area. There is an on-going series of Stamp and Postcard Shows sponsored by local dealer David Allego, and held at local hotels approximately every other month. At least four other shows each year are sponsored by local stamp clubs and regional organizations. In addition, there are programs within a couple hours drive of Pittsburgh in Youngstown, Warren and Steubenville, Ohio and Johnstown and State College, PA. Based on the ones I've attended, the prices seem to be somewhat less than catalog and the dealers are quite knowledgeable. With several dealers around there is a bit of price competition, particularly on common and moderately priced issues, also a good selection of premium material.

Please note! All shows are free admission unless specifically noted.

2000-2001 schedule includes:

SCOPEX 2000
Saturday/Sunday, June 24 & 25, 2000; Sat 10:00am - 5:00pm, Sun 10:00am - 4:00pm
State College Area High School, South Building Cafeteria, Westerly Pkwy., State College, PA
Sponsored by the Mt. Nittany Philatelic Society

Greentree Stamp and Postcard Show
Sunday, July 9, 2000; 10:00am - 4:00pm
Holiday Inn, Greentree, PA
(Just west of downtown Pittsburgh, Exit 4 off I-279 [Parkway West])
Part of an ongoing series, usually about 7-10 stamp and cover dealers from the local area, good selections, a nice program.

WESCOPEX 2000
Saturday/Sunday, September 23 & 24, 2000; 10:00am - 5:00pm both days
Circleville Fire Hall, Robbins Station Road, Irwin, PA
(Exit 7 on the Turnpike, then one block off Route 30)
It's the Westmoreland County Philatelic Society's annual show, featuring exhibits, junior exhibits, show postmark and 12 dealer bourse.

MAVEX 2000
Saturday/Sunday, September 23 & 24, 2000; Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm
National Guard Armory, 473 Victoria Road, Austintown, OH
(Austintown is adjacent to Youngstown, Ohio, about 60 to 70 miles northwest of Pittsburgh via the Turnpike)
Sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Stamp Club in Youngstown, Ohio.

Cranberry Stamp and Postcard Show
Sunday, September 24, 2000, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Shereton Inn, Cranberry, PA
(North of downtown Pittsburgh, at the interchange of I-79 and the PA turnpike)
Part of an ongoing series, usually about 7-10 stamp and cover dealers from the local area, good selections, a nice program.

STEUPEX 2000
Date and time TBA, generally held in early October.
Fort Steuben Mall, Steubenville, OH
(About 40 miles west of Pittsburgh.)
Sponsored by the Fort Steuben Stamp Club.

PITTPEX 2000
Saturday/Sunday, November 4 & 5, 2000; Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm
The Charles L. Sewall Center, Robert Morris College
Moon Township campus, Coraopolis, PA
(off Business Rt 60, Beers School Road to Narrows Run Road, near Greater Pittsburgh Airport)
Annual exhibition and bourse sponsored by the Philatelic Society of Pittsburgh. Described as "Pittsburgh's biggest show," with about 25 dealers, Live and silent auctions, USPS substation, Exhibits, youth area, flea market. Draws dealers from Ohio and New York as well as western PA.

Cranberry Stamp and Postcard Show
Sunday, December 3, 2000; 10:00am - 4:00pm
Shereton Inn, Cranberry, PA
(North of downtown Pittsburgh, at the interchange of I-79 and the PA turnpike)
Part of an ongoing series, usually about 7-10 stamp and cover dealers from the local area, good selections, a nice program.

Warren Stamp Fun 2001
Saturday/Sunday, March 10 & 11, 2001; Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday 11:00am - 4:00pm
St. Demetrios Youth Center, 3223 Atlantic Street NE, Warren, OH
About an hour and a half northwest of Pittsburgh via Penn & Ohio Turnpikes. Just north of Youngstown, OH)
10th Annual show sponsored by the Warren Stamp Club, features sales bourse, exhibits, kids table, show cachet and postmark and USPS substation.

Garfield-Perry March Party
TBA, usually end of March
Masonic Auditorium, East 36th Street & Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH
(About two hours north of Pittsburgh)
With over 50 dealers, this is the largest annual show within a reasonable drive from Pittsburgh. Sponsed by the Garfield-Perry Stamp Club of Cleveland, the show includes USPS and UN substations, exhibits, show cancel and cachet. From 4-10-00 update. I've been told this show is primarily cover dealers, can anyone confirm?

WILKPEX '01
Date/Time TBA, usually mid to late April
Olympia Hall, 1575 Electric Avenue, East Pittsburgh, PA
(Take I-376 [Parkway East] to Forest Hills, Rt 30 exit. Follow Rt. 30 about 3 miles through Forest Hills, then take right lane exit to East Pittsburgh, hall on the left)
51st Annual Exhibition and Bourse of the Wilkinsburg Stamp Club. Features exhibits and youth area, about 15 dealers and USPS substation. Widely know for its annual Souvenir Sheet and fancy sports cancel and cachet. Free parking and admission.

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Stamp Stores

You may note that this is the same address as the Pittsburgh Stamp Company which went out of business last year. However, D&N Petro is a new and different business.

Kaufmann's Stamp and Coin
Kaufmann's Department Store, 8th Floor, 400 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA
----------> C L O S E D <------------
The lessees of the Kaufmann's Stamp Shop have opened a new store in Mt. Lebanon, PA.

Treasure Hunt Collectible Coins and Stamps
Please note two locations
1687 Washington Road, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
(412) 851-9991, 1-800-259-4727, FAX (412) 851-9990
Also at
10925 Perry Highway, Suite II, Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 934-7771, 1-800-545-6604
Monday & Wednesday, 9:30am - 6:00pm; Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30am - 8:00pm; Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm; Saturday 10:00am - 1:00pm
These folks used to be the Kaufmann's Stamp and Coin Department. They moved to their new location in Mt. Lebanon in early February, 1997 and have since opened a second shop in Wexford. They offer a very nice retail business including new issue service, stockbooks with current and past issues, FDC's supplements and a good selection of supplies, plus approval service and an auction/bid-board for stamps. Prices tend to be list for supplies and close to catalog for stamps (watch the bid board for bargains and special offerings), but they are a true stamp and coin store, not an afterthought. The store, while not on street level is very easy to find (Between the Galleria and South Hills Mall opposite Chichi's, look for the neon in the second floor window. I haven't been to the Wexford location yet.) and has some evening and weekend hours. While I was sad to see Kaufmann's close up this shop in their downtown department store, I'm glad to see the business stay alive.

Cybercoins
1000 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 937-1999
Thursday, 10:00am - 9:00pm; Saturday, 9:00am - 5:00pm; and by appointment
Notes of 1-9-2000: I just noticed a new street address on their web page, and much more emphasis on coins--very minimal treatment of stamps. I'll need to make a visit in order to have a full report on their status. They do indicate that they offer stamp auctions on Philatelists Online and Ebay. Previously, they have offered limited supplies and stamp sets at close to full catalog price. Used albums and stockbooks can be a bargain, however. There were also some stamp stockbooks along the walls, so there may be more stamps to this place than had met my eye. They also run a periodic consignment auction below that can be a source for bargains. Their web site is called "Cybercoins" and is predominantly for coin collectors.

Joni & Dave's
648 Merchant Street, Ambridge, PA
(412) 266-4237
Mon-Tues 10:00am - 5:00pm, Wednesday 10:00am - 8:00pm, Thurs-Sat by appointment.
I just found out about this new street level stamp store, operated by long-time local dealers Dave and Joni Allego. The store plans to carry stamps, covers and postcards and other paper collectables. No supplies will be carried. I'll have more details in the next update, but its good to have a stamp store opening!

Subway Stamp Shop, Inc.
2121 Beale Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601
(800) 221-9960; FAX (888) 221-9960
Mon - Fri, 10:00am to 5:00pm, Sat call first. Subway is primarily as a mail/phone/web order company, also with a strong presence at major stamp shows. Walk-in customers are welcome.
One of the largest stamp supply houses in the country (world?) operates out of Altoona. Subway offers all types of stamp and coin collecting supplies including albums and pages from all major vendors, mounts, stock books and dealers supplies, philatelic and numismatic literature, etc.

American Coin Redemption
Monroeville Mall, Monroeville, PA
(412) 372-1856
M-F 10:00am - 9:30pm, Sat 10:00am - 9:00pm, Sun 11:00N - 9:00pm
Mainly a coin and sportscard shop, it does have a limited selection of stamp mounts and starter albums at list prices. Only stamps I've seen are common, recent U.S. singles and blocks and pre-made packets at/near catalog. Convenient mall location and hours when you've lost your last set of stamp tongs or you just need one more packet of Showgard mounts, but that's it.

Other Dealers
The following are mail order and/or bourse-only dealers. They have attended some of the local shows, but don't seem to be "storefront" operations. Some have advertised or indicated that they offer a mail order service. If so, I have included a phone number.

Betsy & Chuck: Christmas Seals and Stamps for Collectors

Frequently at the club shows around the area.

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Auction Services

Coins & Computers
2930 West Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 232-2598
1-24-2000 See Cybercoins above for new information.

Other Stamp/Philatelic Resources

U.S.P.S. philatelic windows and Postal Stores
Philatelic Window at 7th and Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA (Downtown); Postal Stores in several branches (including Downtown, Northside, Squirrel Hill, PIT Airport, Monroeville and Penn Hills)
(Downtown) 8:00am - 6:00pm M-F, 8:00am - 12:00noon on Saturdays
There has been a dramatic restructuring of the Post Office's philatelic support services in the last couple of years. Two of the three philatelic windows (Northside and Penn Hills) have been closed and in their place the USPS has opened a number of their "Postal Stores". These stores sell pre-packaged stamps and non-stamp items that patrons pick off the shelves and bring to a clerk. The clerk is generally not a philatelic clerk and only sells stamps and postal products--(s)he does not provide other postal services

The downtown branch (7th Ave. and Grant) is listed as our "Local Philatelic Center." When I inquired about which clerk was the philatelic clerk I was told, "they all are." However, some clerks are clearly more knowledgeable than others. (I usually go for the clerks that are on the short side of the "L shaped counter, straight ahead as you are standing in line. They used to work the dedicated philatelic window.) It also seemed that the philatelic stocks are not as strong as in the past, with difficulty obtaining hard-to-get items. It's better than nothing, but is a clear step backwards from a couple of years ago.

I have mixed feelings about these changes. I think that the "Postal Stores" will benefit the casual collector, and perhaps increase the number of commemorative stamps in the mailstream. I knew that if I asked for "some stamps", I'd usually get some variation of the flag over whatever unless I specifically requested otherwise. Now people who just want "some stamps" can pick their own out and may be more inclined to select commemoratives.

The downside is that the services needed by the serious collector will be harder to come by. Postal Store clerks generally will not break open a package to get a single stamp, plate block or PNC strip. While they may have all issues in general release, they would not likely have many of the variations available. They also are unlikely to have older issues.

Both local stamp clubs have been in consultation with local postal officials about maintaining some level of philatelic window in Pittsburgh. I'll report on those meetings in a future update. In the meantime, there is the mail order center in Kansas City--which I suspect was the USPS's intent in the first place.

Wilkinsburg Stamp Club
P.O. Box 97903, Pittsburgh, PA 15227-0303
Meetings at: Churchill Borough Bldg, 2300 William Penn Highway, Churchill, PA (Parkway East, exit 13)
Meeting times: 2nd/4th Sunday 12:30pm - 3:00pm
The Wilkinsburg Stamp club meets every 2nd and 4th Sunday in Churchill, PA. There are nearly 150 total members, with about 30-40 showing up at each meeting. Circuit books are exchanged, philatelic gossip is exchanged, a couple of member/dealers set up their wares at a discount, the business meeting is generally short. There are occasional presentations on a variety of subjects. I've gotten some good deals from the Circuit books. Most importantly, they set up a TV in the meeting room during Steeler season! The highlights of the year are WILKPEX, their annual Exhibition and Bourse, held in April, and an annual club-wide dinner in October.

Philatelic Society of Pittsburgh
c/o W.K. Schomburgh, 5296 Range Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
Meetings at: First Lutheran Church, 615 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA (downtown)
Meeting times: 1st/3rd Mondays 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Also known as the Pittsburgh Stamp Club. I recently joined and try to attend about once a month. There are programs at most all of their meetings and business meetings every other session, but the highlights of the meetings are the philatelic trading and gossip that goes on. It's been kinda fun! They also have Auction nights every 4/5 months and an annual dinner in May. They are the sponsor of the annual PITTPEX exhibition and bourse. Founded in 1888, they were the second club chartered by the APS.

Westmoreland County Philatelic Society
P.O. Box 76, Norvelt, PA
Meetings at: Calvary Baptist Church, Caruthers Lane, North Huntingdon, PA (From Irwin Turnpike interchange, go west on US route 30. Just past the second traffic light turn left alongside the Kentucky Fried Chicken. Church is 500 feet on the left.)
Meeting times: 2nd Sunday of Month, September through June (no meeting July/August) 2:15pm
While I'm not a member of this group, they sponsor a very nice show and have a great web page with information about their club and links to a variety of web resources.

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