The first Peninsula Philatelic Exhibition (PENPEX) was held on November 10 and 11, 1951 at the Burlingame Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame, CA. The Peninsula Stamp Club (Burlingame) sponsored the show with Milton J. Richter as chair. The free show had 12 Bay Area dealers and was open to the public on Saturday 10:00 am to 10:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Nov. 11, 1951 PENPEX Cachet

Five hundred frames displayed 71 exhibits plus 17 youth exhibits in 4-page frames which came from the San Francisco-Pacific Philatelic Society. The entry fee was 35¢ per frame. A.B. De Lisle, Al Henry, and Frank Sankey were members of the first jury. The first PENPEX Grand Award was won by Robert Hanson for his “Sweden & Norway” exhibit.

In the PENPEX program, the following committee members are listed: Rose M. Burchell, Francis R. Foppiano, Charles P. Geer, J.G. Mathison, Mrs. R. Mueller, Al W. Pollock, Chair Milton J. Richter, Jane La Rue, and John W. Wickland.

At this PENPEX, a new perpetual trophy for the individual contribution to philately was introduced. Known as the Chaloner Trophy it was fittingly presented to Henry Chaloner this year. The award is still given out by the Council of Northern California Philatelic Societies (CNCPS) to a local person who has made major contributions to philately.

A complete History of PENPEX exhibit will be on display at PENPEX 2011 on December 3 and 4 at the Community Activity Building, 1400 Roosevelt Avenue, Redwood City. The stamp show is free and open to the public.

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