AmeriStamp Expo at Riverside, Calif.

John Weigle, stamp columnist for the Ventura County Star, reminds his readers about AmeriStamp Expo being held next weekend at the Riverside Convention Center, 3443 Orange St., Riverside, Calif.

Admission is free, and the show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 9-10, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 11.

John says there will be hundreds of stamp exhibits on display including, "C3a: The Story of the Inverted Jenny," "Dag Hammarskjold Invert" and "Argentina 1892: The World's First Columbians," honoring Christopher Columbus.

Other highlights of the event include the U.S. and U.N. postal administrations, an auction by Harmer Schau Auction Galleries Inc., meetings of several national and regional groups, educational seminars and a youth area.

According to John, "A booth for new collectors will be near the show entrance, with knowledgeable collectors to answer questions. Another area will guide youths through the basics of the hobby and include free stamps, puzzles, hands-on demonstrations, and games."

Plus there will be special dime and dollar booths as well as Stamps by the Bucket where attendees may obtain hundreds of stamps for only $5 (or $1 if under age 16).

For more information and a complete show schedule, click here.