Taipei:A rare misprinted U.S. postage stamp known as the “Inverted Jenny” is set to be one of the major attractions at the upcoming PHILATAIPEI 2026 World Stamp Championship Exhibition in Taipei. Additionally, Pokémon-themed stamps and merchandise have seen significant interest, with a large portion selling out during online presales.
According to Focus Taiwan, the “Inverted Jenny” is a notable 24-cent U.S. postage stamp from 1918, distinguished by its unique printing error that features a Curtiss JN-4 biplane, or “Jenny,” depicted upside down. Approximately 100 of these stamps are believed to remain globally. One such stamp fetched a record US$2 million at a Robert A. Siegel auction in November 2023.
The PHILATAIPEI 2026 exhibition will take place from November 20 to 25 at the Taipei World Trade Center, offering free entry. The event’s theme, “Innovation ∞ Sustainability,” will be showcased through various sections, including displays of rare stamps and a commemorative section for Chunghwa Post’s 130th anniversary.
Chunghwa Post Co., Ltd., Taiwan’s state-run postal service, stated that the exhibition will feature postal services, stamp dealers, and philatelists from 69 countries and territories, with a total of 2,054 frames showcasing rare stamp collections. This event marks the first time since 2016 that Taiwan is hosting a world stamp exhibition.
In addition to the “Inverted Jenny,” other historical stamps, such as the Shanghai-printed Flying Geese Basic Stamps from 1949, Argentina’s Farmer and Rising Sun Stamp from 1911, and the Dragon-Horse Postage Stamps from 1888, will be on display. The exhibition will include daily activities like performances, lectures, and Pokémon meet-and-greet events.
Chunghwa Post has partnered with the Pokémon franchise to release themed stamps and merchandise. The online presale, comprising 60 percent of the total stock, saw 180,000 stamps sell out mostly within two hours. Due to contractual restrictions, the Pokémon merchandise will not be restocked.
On the exhibition’s opening day, another 20 percent of Pokémon-themed items will be available at the Taipei World Trade Center, while the remaining 20 percent will be sold at select Chunghwa Post branches. Visitors will be subject to purchase limits, with each receiving only one queue ticket.