How to exhibit your stamps

Following directives should be viewed as guidelines and are intended to help the exhibitor.

Planning: – ( Valuation Mark 20)

There are four criteria such as development, Knowledge Materials and impressions. They are valid for all types of collections.

Knowledge vary depending the collection as follows.

(1) For Traditional collections : Philatelic Knowledge.

(2) For Thematic collections : Subject knowledge.

(3) For Postal History collections : Postal History knowledge.

1. Treatment ( Development ) – Valuation Mark – 30:

(a) Structure: The total concept should be presented. A table of more contents is not sufficient. A Statement of intent is expected to be set forth in a plan at the beginning of the exhibit.

(b) Explanations: It is expected that the text should relate directly to the theme or story line of the exhibit. Explanations should apply to the aspect of philately chosen. Text should not be too extensive.

(c) Subject: The subject of the collection should be chosen in such a way that the collection shows a comprehensive selection of items a well a the necessary specialization for the subject. Individually one theme is desirable and should be reflected in the collection.

(d) Overviews: The exhibitor expected to show the level of development and degree of difficulty which is appropriate for his age group. The respective degree of developments of the collection as well as the development of the plan will be evaluated.

(e) Specialization: It is expected that the exhibitor, in accordance with his age group, covers a certain area of specialization. This may be in regard to an issue, a subject or a certain domain of philately.

(f) Correct classification of materials: The exhibitor expected to classify the materials used correctly. This classification should emphasize the story line time and directly improve the progress of the plan.

2. Knowledge – Valuation Mark 20:

(a) For collection of traditional philately ( By country):

2.(1) Basic philatelic knowledge: – A general reflection of basic knowledge will be reflected.

2.(2) Special philatelic knowledge:- Stamps: – This May be exhibited through the selection of a balanced group of philatelic options within the area of philately chosen.

2.(3) Special philatelic knowledge: Covers: – It is expected that the exhibitor should be able to recognize the greater importance of some items in relation to others and that he be discriminating in the selection of those items to be exhibited.

2(4) Research and studies: It is expected that the exhibitor makes proper use of applicable literature and displays the results of his studies in the collection.

B.Topical/Thematic Collections:

2.(1) Basic Philatelic knowledge: A general appearance of basics knowledge should be used.

2.(2) Thematic knowledge: It is expected that the exhibitor clearly demonstrate necessary basic thematic subject knowledge. It is also desirable that specialized knowledge be shown.

2.(3). Cancellations in relation to subject: It is essential aspect.

2.(4) Covers in relation to subject: This is also treated as an important aspect.

2(5). Thematic relativity of stamps, cancellation and cover: More attention should be paid to the direct correlation of the stamp, cancellation and cover to show a thematic relationship.

3. Material Condition & Rarity – Valuation Mark – 25:

(a) Relation of stamps and covers: The balance of stamps and covers is weighed. It is important to consider whether the best possible number of items is being exhibited. This does not mean the greatest number possible.

(b) Condition of stamps: Stamps should be in the best possible condition. It is expected that the exhibitor has taken the necessary stamps to show his material in its most favorable way.

(c) Condition of Covers: Some above mentioned aspects must be observed,. damaged covers should not be displayed.

(d) Cleanliness of cancellation of stamps: It should have clean cancellation. It should be clear, distinct, easily, readable and light so that the illustration on the stamp remains visible.

(e) Cleanliness of cancellation of covers: Above matters also applicable here, Only postally used materials must be used. CTO’s and undesirable items must be avoided.

4. Impression – Presentation : Valuation Mark – 5 :

(a) General Impression of the collection: The entire collections should have a balanced appearence. Margins at top and bottom of each page should be consistent. There should also be a balanced distribution of stamps and covers, on each page and also within each frame.

(b) Arrangement of Materials of Pages: Pages should be either overloaded nor empty looking. Grouping of types of materials must be done in an eye-catching as well as a s a logical manner.

(c) Setting-off stamps and covers: Simple ways placing emphasis on the philatelic materials such a using mounts or drawing this boarders with medium in are suggested. This should be in a careful manner and be clean and exact.

(d) Description: The exhibitor is expected to choose an appropriate size of script and that the text is presented in a clean and legible manner.

The total valuation mark is 100. The juror always consider the age group in valuing all the 4 criteria described above.

TIME TABLE FOR PRESENTATION OF STAMP EXHIBIT:

1. Decide to go into an exhibition: Get a copy of Prospects and entry form, study the Regulations, note the date when entry forms must be returned and when the exhibit must be delivered to the exhibition secretary.

2. Decide your subject: Choose any important, interesting, rare matter.

3. Prepare a timetable: From the latest date for delivery of the exhibit work back wards to the starting time, be realistic about how much you will be able to achieve during each session , build in delivery in case you miss targets, put a copy on the wall or on a calendar. If you fall behind re plan your timetable

4. Gather your philatelic material: Stamps, covers, booklet etc catalogs and reference books. If you are going for the previous exhibition materials, then you should re-do the pages.

5. Gather workshop material: New pages-previous exhibits pages should be redone, pages should be consistent in colour, size and format throughout the exhibit, bobby tools, tweezers, pencils, rulers, cutters, clean rubber etc, hinges, mounts, backing paper, exhibit corners, arrows, guards etc, paper for rough copy write ups, project container box, album of stock book to be used exclusively for this project.

6. Begin Planning: With philatelic material hand, rethink your subject or title, you may decide to change it. Check the exhibition rules and dated and your timetable, write out your main title and put it on the wall.

7. Put your material onto individual pages: Physically place material loose on pages, remember to allow for writing up, don’t if you have too much. Worry if you have too little, place page into project container.

8. Survey the philatelic strength of each page: Does it have individual interest ?, Does the materials fit the chosen subject ? Will there be too little much write up ?.

9. Plan the individual frame content: Layout the individual pages on a clean surface the way the pages will appear in the frame, honestly asses weaknesses of any page, rethink the layout of the whole exhibit.

10. Start work on individual pages: Refer to guides on how to write up a page. Refer to your reference and make sure you have all the specialist philatelic information relevant to the materials, ensure there is a consistent approach to the headings and subheadings, remember the golden third rule of display, do rough planning in pencil on draft paper, keep your write – up minimum, ensure it is relevant and each statement is supported by philatelic materials, ensure you have the correct details – philatelic and subject, check, recheck and again spelling especially of names, localities and special philatelic terms. if there are any errors, smudges do it again , place each finished page into the exhibit storage you are using, take note of how long it took to do the page as it will you to review the timetable, after 8 pages check your timetable, check the title and exhibit details you provided on your entry form, check the final date for entries, you may have time to amend your entry details if the exhibit is varying from the original plan.

11. Layout complete exhibit – frame by frame: Do an honest appraisal often the first pages will need to be redone as the later pages are better prepared. Look at balance of each frame out exhibit, redo and replace pages as required, layout again and do so until you are satisfied.

12. Do the title, plan and or introduction page: Most care must be taken in this aspect, as these are the leading pages.

13. Get the exhibit checked by another person: Choose a suitable person to do this, take notes of constructive criticism, be proud of your work – it took time and dedication.

14. Send the exhibit to the authority: Check that you have fulfilled exhibition criteria, name and number on back of each page. date of entry and exhibition envelops are correctly filled out. Pack for delivery. Deliver to the authority concerned or post it.