St Louis Stamp Expo (EXPO) Show Programs have been a true highlight of the show each year. The creativity of Penney Kols was clear and evident the moment your show program showed up in the mailbox or you picked up at the registration desk. Penney was responsible for the program from 1993 through 2016 at which time Thomas Minor took over the creation of the show program. I think that it is safe to say that the impression of EXPO being a “premier” show was in the hands of Penney Kols and she made sure that the EXPO achieved that goal.

Penney Kols, is a St Louis native, started her professional career in the theatre as an actress.  After marrying David Kols, she became his partner in all his endeavors.  While most of the establishment and vision of the STL Stamp Expo goes to David, without Penney the execution and image of the show would not have been what it is.  Penney put the first-class stamp on this show.  She was the conductor of the orchestra to David’s compositions.  She brought the vision to life and the creativity that attracted attendees to the show. 

In 2010, after USPS stopped designing the show buttons, the button creation came back to Penney until her retirement from the show in 2018.  She also created the 1994 show cachet (right) of Union Station, which this author thinks is highly creative, while she was humble to even admit she had created it.  You can look at any of the show programs from 1993-2017 and see the creativity and attention to detail that Penney brought to Expo.  She still lives in the area and remembers very fondly all the folks who worked with her and David on the shows, saying that “stamp collectors are all so friendly.”  I think it’s safe to say that Penney Kols was the backbone of the establishment of the STL Stamp Expo.

On March 24, 2023, the first day of the 2023 STL Stamp Expo, the USPS issued the Art of the Skateboard stamps (Scott #5763-5766). A couple of astute philatelists, realizing the overlap, got their hands on the skateboard stamps and had them postmarked using the show’s event cancel on the covers designed by Tom Minor. Only a handful of these covers were made, and only one set was canceled using the red ink.

Are you one of the few that has these? If so, congrats on your rare cover.

History of the Saint Louis Stamp Expo

In 1993, David M. Kols had an idea that St. Louis needed to bring back a premier annual philatelic stamp show that was worthy of Saint Louis’ place in philatelic history. Having been the home of the 1st American Philatelic Society President, John K. Tiffany, St. Louis collectors have played important roles in the growth and success of the hobby, and the APS. St. Louis was the host city for the APS National Convention in 1889, 1919, 1927, 1956, and 1995.

To build a premier stamp show in St. Louis, Kols knew that he would need the support of many volunteers from the vast St. Louis area stamp clubs. He solicited help from his business, Regency-Superior Auctions, the Belleville Scott Air Force Base Stamp Club, Greater Saint Louis Stamp Club (now the Greater Mound City Stamp Club), McDonnell Douglas Stamp Club, Monsanto Stamp Club, Mound City Stamp Club, Southern Illinois Stamp Club, Webster Groves Stamp Club, and other individuals. With the success Kols had in obtaining support for the show, he became the show’s Executive director, which he held for 25 years. The first St. Louis Stamp Expo was held on Oct. 1-3, 1993 at the Frontenac Hilton Hotel, 1335 South Lindbergh Blvd., Saint Louis, MO 63131.

Each year the show has been the host to Philatelist from around the world, offering; the regions only APS World Series of Philately show since 1998, Exhibitions, stamp bourse, hosts to other philatelic societies meetings, youth education programs, and an awards banquet.

Thanks to the following individuals for contributing artifacts, information, and their memories of the Saint Louis Stamp Expo:

More About
Saint Louis Stamp Expo

Programs
Event Covers
Buttons
Palmares
Elizabeth C. Pope Award
Committee
First Day Events

Larry Weisz

Larry Weisz was a member of the Mound City Stamp Club in 1993 and answered David Kols’ call for volunteers.  Larry has been in charge of Expo security ever since.  David insisted on having uniformed off-duty officers at all shows, and Larry has handled that.  If you know Larry, you know that he is a very nice person and dedicated philatelist, but you might not know about his love of cars and his sense of humor.  This story requires a bit of 1980s trivia knowledge:  After buying a Rolls-Royce, Larry went by Regency for some reason and offered to take Penney Kols for a ride in his new vehicle.  After Penney got in and before taking off, Larry asked her to open the glove compartment, where she found a jar of Grey Poupon. Larry claimed it came with the car, but that is questionable.

Robert “Bob” Stahl

September 26, 1941 ~ April 1, 2022

Bob Stahl was a USPS official in St. Louis and knew David Kols from working together as part of the shows’ support by the USPS.  After retiring from a 42-year career at the USPS, Bob worked and supported the youth programs at Expo.  He does not show up as having been on any Expo committee because he never wanted any appearance of a conflict of interest with his former USPS position.  Bob’s efforts are still worthy of mentioning.