“Tiny pieces of art.” That’s how the U.S. Postal Service describes stamps. Maynard resident Mark Butterline couldn’t agree more.

A former director of the Spellman Museum and renowned collector, Butterline is executive director and organizer of Boston 2026 World Expo: Free Stamp Exhibition, running May 23-30 at the Boston Convention Center.

He’s been collecting stamps since he created his first cardboard album at age 4, which he proudly displayed on the family’s refrigerator. At 16, he attended his first International Philatelic Exhibition and things got serious. Now an avid practitioner of philately (stamp collecting), he finds great value in what stamps reveal about the world.

“If you are interested in engaging with the history, art, geography of the countries of the world in a physical way, then this is the hobby for you.”

Art is front and center in philately. Artists as renowned as Salvador Dalí, Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol and Marc Chagall have had their work reproduced on stamps. Some countries in Europe commission original art for their national stamp issues. The field even has a sub-genre, Philatelic Art History, devoted to examining how reproduction and reduction transform or reframe the way works are depicted.

The coming expo has been two decades in the making.

“My first discussion with friends about the show were at the 2006 International Philatelic Exhibition in Washington, D.C.,” Butterline said, adding, “I clearly have the ability to commit to a long-term project.”

His years of commitment have paid off. The free event at the Boston Convention Center showcases world-class exhibits, dealers, presentations and first-day-of-issue ceremonies, all as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration in the heart of one of the country’s most historic cities.

Butterline finds it fitting that the exhibit coincides with the country’s milestone anniversary.

“When I attended the 1976 Exhibition in Philadelphia, the Bicentennial was a big part of the show and it was inspirational. I’m revisiting many of those same ideas and thoughts for the country’s Semiquincentennial, which is going to be a big part of this show. It ties in nicely with other events happening in and around New England this year. Boston is one of America’s most historical cities and the show will be a great way to celebrate the 250th,” he said.

Philately, from the Greek “philo” (loving or affinity for) and “atelaeia” (exempt from duties or taxes), was a term coined in 1864 by French collector Georges Herpin. Before stamps, correspondence was generally paid for by the recipient. The stamp shifted that cost to the sender, leaving the receiver with no expense, hence “atelaeia.”

Stamp collecting began in Great Britain in 1840, when the first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued. By the 1850s the hobby was a global phenomenon, and by 1860 its educational appeal had elevated it to a scholarly pursuit.

The first U.S. postage stamps featured Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. In 1880, the American Philatelic Society was formed. Today, societies around the world engage enthusiasts in surveying, collecting, studying and trading those tiny works of art.

The 2026 World Expo will span 352,000 square feet of the Boston Convention Center and is sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service. The exhibition will feature a large dealer marketplace, an extensive array of foreign post offices and the opportunity to connect with philatelic societies from around the world. At the heart of the expo will be a competitive exhibition with approximately 4,000 frames of exhibits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie, complemented by a Court of Honor exhibition and a major literature competition.

Beyond exhibits, Boston 2026 will host hundreds of meetings, roundtable discussions and presentations across 40 meeting rooms focused on education, collaboration and international exchange. History buffs, art lovers, ephemera and mail artists, scout troops and youth groups are all welcome free of charge.

Butterline says there is something for everyone.

“Whether you have kids looking for a new hobby or are a serious collector or dealer looking to do business, this show is a place to explore the world of art, history, geography and world cultures through stamps and postal items. We welcome anyone interested in learning something they didn’t know.”

For more information about the World Expo: Free Stamp Exhibition, May 23-30, visit Boston2026.org.