FOUNDATION On September 6-9, 1950, NAPEX held its first philatelic exhibition.   NAPEX was first conceived in 1948 when members of the Washington Philatelic Society met to discuss the creation of an independent association to promote philately in the greater Washington area.   As a result of these discussions, National Philatelic Exhibitions of Washington, DC (NAPEX) was formed.   On January 11, 1949, Joseph A. Herbert, Jr., Samuel M. Burgess, 2nd, and David D. Caldwell, officers of the Washington Philatelic Society signed the certificate of incorporation in the District of Columbia for NAPEX. The stated goal of NAPEX was to promote the dissemination of philatelic knowledge by sponsoring philatelic exhibitions.   Its first opportunity came about in 1950 when it was selected for the 64th Convention of the American Philatelic Society (APS).   It was also selected as the venue for the first Convention of the National Federation of Stamp Clubs.   The year 1950 was the Sesquicentennial of the District of Columbia, and that was chosen as the theme for the first NAPEX.
	NAPEX 1950 - The First Exhibition The first NAPEX took place September 6 to 9, 1950 at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.   Joseph A.Herbert, Jr., NAPEX Chairman, appointed Svend Yort as chairman of the exhibition.   The Washington Philatelic Society, Chapter 169 of the APS, acted as official host for the APS Convention. Harry Lindquist, the well known philatelic publisher and founder of the National Federation of Stamp Clubs, led the committee for its first convention during NAPEX 1950. . Page 13 from the 1950 Show Program [COL (Ret) James T. DeVoss now resides in State College, PA] Other national philatelic organizations also chose NAPEX 1950 for their annual conventions:   Essay-Proof Society, Confederate Stamp Alliance, Bureau Issues Association, and the 3c 1851-57 Unit Number 11 of the APS (later the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society). NAPEX 1950 comprised 354 frames.   There was a bourse of 12 dealers.   John A. Fox held a major stamp auction.   The U.S. Post Office Department established a Branch at NAPEX (the first time a Branch was established at a Washington stamp show) with a special station cancel.   The NAPEX cachet celebrated the District of Columbia Sesquicentennial. NAPEX 1950 was one of only a few national-level exhibitions in that year, and was one of the biggest.   Typical of its time, the exhibition and the stamp society conventions were the significant elements.  Less important was the size of the bourse.
	A Long Hiatus After the great success of NAPEX in 1950, the committee sought new opportunities to hold similar events.   But for the next decade, no opportunities came along.   The NAPEX Chairman during that period were James H. Bowen (1951), James T. DeVoss (1952-54), and Stanley H. Wright (1955-60). In 1961, Svend Yort became Chairman of NAPEX.   During his tenure, NAPEX was reorganized, expanding itself to include members taken from stamp clubs throughout the greater Baltimore-Washington area.   With new vigor, NAPEX started planning for a major exhibition to coincide with the opening of the new Smithsonian Institution Museum of History and Technology in 1964.
	NAPEX 1964 - The Second Show On September 17 to 20, 1964, NAPEX held its second show.   Again the locale was the Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.   The major theme was the opening of the Hall of Philately and Postal History in the new Smithsonian Museum of History and Technology. Fifteen national and specialized philatelic societies held their annual conventions during NAPEX.   This was the first time in philatelic history that so many major stamp societies chose a single national show for their conventions. The APS and the Society of Philatelic Americans (SPA), the two largest national philatelic societies, held their annual conventions at NAPEX 1964.   It was one of the few times (and the last time) this occurred. The exhibition consisted of 406 frames, large for any national-level show.  The bourse comprised 30 dealers.   William A. Fox held the official auction. The Post Office Department established a Branch with a special station cancel.   It also mounted a special exhibit of artists' drawings, essays, and proofs of recent commemorates, with a special demonstration of "tagged" stamps. The Smithsonian Institution mounted special exhibits at its newly opened Hall of Philately and Postal History.   Special tours and lectures were also arranged for the many visitors to NAPEX. NAPEX 1964 was the most important philatelic event in the U.S. in 1964.   It was the greatest philatelic event yet held in Washington.   It was a great success. Svend Yort, his NAPEX committee, and the many Baltimore-Washington philatelists who worked in making the show a success had every right to be proud of their accomplishments.   Just six months later, they would take on an even bigger project. The NAPEX committee voted in 1964 to take on the task of producing an international philatelic exhibition in Washington, DC.
	SIPEX (1966) The United States had hosted five international philatelic exhibitions:   1913, 1926, 1936, 1947 and 1956. Plans had begun to hold the sixth event in 1966 in New York where all the previous ones were held.   But in late 1964, the Association for Stamp Exhibitions, sponsor of the previous five shows, announced that financial problems had forced them to cancel the planned USIPEX for 1966. Svend Yort, NAPEX Chairman, and George T. Turner petitioned the NAPEX committee to hold a 1966 International Exhibition in Washington, DC.   The NAPEX committee agreed and immediately formed the nucleus of a new and larger organization, the Sixth International Philatelic Exhibition (SIPEX), which would carry out the plans. SIPEX was held at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC from May 21 to 30, 1966.   It was a spectacular show comprising 2,241 competitive frames and an outstanding Court of Honor.   Visitors from throughout the philatelic world came.   Again, the many philatelists in the Baltimore-Washington area and elsewhere who worked on the show had a right to be proud of their accomplishments.   NAPEX had led the way in sponsoring the greatest philatelic event ever held in Washington.
	NAPEX 71 - The Third Show With Seymour B. Stiss as Chairman, NAPEX held its third event in 1971.   It took place from May 21 to 23 at the Shoreham Hotel.   NAPEX 71 was a large show by the standards of national shows of the time, having 408 frames. Several specialist societies held their annual conventions at NAPEX:   Scandinavian Collectors Club, U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Philatelic and Historical Society.   The SPA also held its annual spring meeting.   The bourse had 29 dealers. NAPEX 71 was honored by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) with the issuance of a souvenir card (Scott Number 13).   It was the eighth card the BEP had issued for a national stamp exhibition. The Post Office Department hosted a First Day Ceremony at NAPEX 71.   The 21¢ airmail stamp (Scott C81) was issued on May 21st.
	NAPEX Through the 1970s NAPEX held biyearly shows through the 1970s.   Each show had its own characteristics, hosting various national and specialized philatelic organizations.   All were held under the Chairmanship of John N. Hoffman.   The Twin Bridges (Virginia) Marriott was the new locale for them all. NAPEX 73 took place from September 14 to 16.   It was a large show of 460 frames, with a 25 dealer bourse.   The American Air Mail Society and the United Postal Stationery Society held their annual conventions at NAPEX. The Post Office Department honored NAPEX 73 by holding the first day ceremony for the Centenary of the first U.S. postal card (Scott UX65) on September 14th.   The BEP once again issued a souvenir card (Scott 32) for NAPEX 73. NAPEX 75 took place from May 9 to 11, with 260 frames and 31 dealers in the Bourse.   The American First Day Cover Society held its 20th Anniversary convention here. Once Again the BEP issued a souvenir card (Scott 41) at NAPEX.   The Washington Plate Printers Union also participated in NAPEX 75, issuing two special souvenir cards. NAPEX 77 was held from May 6 to 8.   The show had 384 frames and 35 dealers.   The Scandinavian Collectors Club and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Philatelic and Historical Society held their annual conventions.   The SPA held its annual spring meeting at NAPEX 77. The U.S. Postal Service and the BEP both participated. NAPEX 79 took place on May 4 to 6, with 368 frames and 35 dealers.   The American Revenue Association and the State Revenue Society held a joint convention at NAPEX.
	NAPEX in the 1980s - A New Era Following the success of NAPEX 79, the Committee decided to hold the next show in 1980, and planned to have yearly exhibitions in the future. NAPEX 80, because of the late decision, had to be held in a new location, the Bethesda (Maryland) Marriott Hotel, and on a less desirable weekend, July 4 to 6.   The frame number was only 204, and the bourse had only 27 dealers.   The Bureau Issues Association held their annual convention.   John N. Hoffman was Chairman. The BEP issued a souvenir card (Scott 67) at NAPEX 80. The NAPEX 80 program contained a memorial to George T. Turner who had been an important participant in NAPEX since the 1964 show.   He and Svend Yort had been the driving force behind the successful SIPEX. The NAPEX 80 program also contained two important articles:   Thomas E. Stanton, District of Columbia Post Office, 1791-1903;   Patricia A. Kaufmann, Valentines - Patriotic Manufactures Sideline. For the next three years (1981, 82, and 83), NAPEX returned its annual event to the Twin Bridges Marriott Hotel.   John N. Hoffman chaired the 1981 and 1982 shows. NAPEX 81 took place from May 1 to 3.   It was not a big show by previous NAPEX standards, with 180 frames, but it had a much larger bourse, with 37 dealers. NAPEX 82 was scheduled on the July 4th weekend (July 2 to 4) and was a relatively small show (196 frames) with a large bourse (37 dealers). John Hoffman died three days after the close of NAPEX 82.   He was replaced by Milton Mitchell as Chairman. NAPEX 83 was dedicated to the memory of John N. Hoffman who had chaired the seven NAPEX shows held from 1973 to 1982. Once again, NAPEX 83 was a big show, the largest since 1979.   It took place from June 10 to 12, with 368 frames and a dealer bourse of 41. NAPEX 84 was held at a new location.   Chairman Milton Mitchell changed the locale to the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA.   This would be the site of the next decade of NAPEX shows.   NAPEX 84 had 368 frames and a bourse of 39 dealers.   The U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, the Confederate Stamp Alliance, the Bureau Issues Association, the War Cover Club, and the Europa Study Unit of the ATA all had their annual conventions. NAPEX 95 show moves to the McLean Hilton.  In 2006, NAPEX did not have a show, rather International Washington 2006 was the focus for the year.   This show was held in the new District of Columbia Convention Center from May 27 - June 3, 2006.  The annual NAPEX show resumed in 2007.

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