American Philatelic Society Embaces the Virtual World of "Second Life"

The American Philatelic Society (APS) is considering holding virtual stamp shows, exhibits, dealer bourse, seminars in the virtual world of Second Life.

According to a recently released 51-page report, Into the Future, by the APS long range planning committee, "Philatelic exhibitions offering all of the current show activities (exhibits, dealer bourse, seminars) could be staged in the virtual world right now. In fact, it is being done on in a virtual reality platform called 'Second Life' (www.secondlife.com) and within an area called 'Philatelica.' (See also Exponet with more than 500 exhibits online: www.exponet.info).

"Second Life is free for visitors to use. It is a virtual world. Visitors create representations of themselves (called 'avatars') and wander through the virtual world where there are villages, shops, museums and other activities, including Philatelica, a sort of virtual American Philatelic Center."

The report goes on to say by the end of 2015, "APS will plan and have a Virtual Stamp Show on its own website or a virtual reality website."

Show above, a pavilion dedicated to the American Philatelic Society which is under construction in Second Life. Also, a screen shot of a virtual stamp exhibit which was recently held in Second Life's Philatelica section.

To read the entire report, click here.