shantige

27 Jun 2014
08:45:58pm

I am interested in learning about this particular area of stamps. What is the best source of information for learning the basics about exhibiting for beginners?

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Bobstamp

28 Jun 2014
02:12:59pm

re: Exhibiting ?

There is no one source of information about exhibiting, and much of what is available is written not for novices but for experienced exhibitors. It took me ages to figure out the basics. I had the "advantage," if you will, of volunteering to be exhibits chair of VANPEX (VANcouver Philatelic EXhibitiion) when I had never mounted an exhibit of my own. I figured it would be a good learning experience, and it was. But painful (in a good way).

The first and most important lesson is this: As lyrics from Cats tell us, "A cat is not a dog," neither is a bunch of album pages a philatelic exhibit. A stamp collection is not an exhibit. One stamp is not enough for an exhibit, unless it's the subject of a one-sheet exhibit, which will be displayed with single sheets made by other collectors. (In my experience, exhibits are made up of sheets, not pages, which makes sense because pages make up books, and exhibit sheets are mounted sequentially in frames; the standard seems to be 16 sheets per frame, and anywhere from one frame to 10 frames per exhibit. Usually, no more than three exhibits are accepted from one collector in any one exhibition.)

Exhibits are not just a way to display stamps. They are a way to organize and explain stamps (and covers, and collateral items). To me, stamps, covers, and collateral items are nothing less than artifacts that illuminate our past, and sometimes our present. A stamp, cover, or collateral item that is displayed without background information is just a stamp, cover, or collateral item.

Novice collectors, if they've never seen a stamp exhibit, may be totally at sea even in their understanding of what an exhibit looks like. Here are a couple of images. The first shows a judge examining exhibits at VANPEX in Vancouver; those frames look nice but any show organizer who has set them up doesn't need to fear Hell, which will be pleasant by comparison to the pain of assembling them, especially on an uneven floor!



This is a photo taken in March in Canberra, showing a different style of frame, which must be easier to set up!



Exhibit rules are normally presented in the form of a prospectus, outlining the theme of the exhibit, the number of frames allowed, the costs, and details about set-up. Usually exhibitors have to fill out an application, which may not be accepted in the case of large, popular exhibitions.

Some "rules" are important:

1. Exhibit what you want, how you want. Medals are nice — I was so impressed with VANPEX medals when I first saw one that I decided I had to have one, so I started working on my first exhibit. But more important than medals is the exhibitor's sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, and you may have to break some rules to achieve that. For example, I now refuse to use white or even ivory paper to mount exhibit on, because coloured paper or even stationery with designs on it can look so much better. My first exhibit was on ivory paper, and the dirty, old covers I included looked even dirtier and older. I used colourful stationery — a big "no no" — for an exhibit about my experiences in Vietnam (and it was necessary to use my name, as well, another "no no". Nevertheless, I got a silver medal. Here's an example of a sheet from that exhibit:



2. Do not assume that your collection isn't "good enough" or valuable enough to form the basis of an exhibit from. I have seen gold-medal exhibits created with common stamps that probably cost no more than a couple of dollars. I have seen exhibits consisting of stamps and covers worth tens of thousands of dollars that did not get gold.

3. Don't assume that the words of judges are the final words. An exhibit that wins gold or vermeil (small gold) in one exhibition might not get better than bronze or silver in the next exhibition. Judging is an art, not a science, more subjective than objective.

I could go on, and on, and on, but I'd like to know if Shantige has any specific questions. And I'd like other Stamporama members to chip in.

Bob

 
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re: Exhibiting ?

As an accredited APS Judge and an exhibitor with 20 years experience, I'd like to add a few comments.

You have two important choices to make if you plan to exhibit: Decide if you are exhibiting to please the Judges (to earn the highest medal you can) or exhibiting to please yourself. Ideally, you should strive TO DO BOTH.

Remember, judges just don't flip a coin when deciding medal levels. It's not a mystery --- We have rules to consider and follow. Download the Judges Manual available on the American Philatelic Society (APS) website, if you dare !

Exhibiting is a learning experience. I recommend that a novice try exhibiting first at local or regional shows to get comments and suggestions from the judges and your fellow collectors. When you feel you are ready, try showing your material with the more experience exhibitors at the thirty-four national stamp shows held each year in the USA. A list of these shows can be found at the APS website.

When you exhibit nationally, make sure you attend the Judges Critique session (usually held on Saturday afternoon of each Show), and read carefully the evaluation sheet you'll get at the end of the show. If you can, get the Judge designated as your "First Responder" to meet with you one on one at your frames.

Don't let your ego get tied up in this judging process. Of course you put a lot of time, effort and resources into your exhibit, but keep asking yourself "AM I HAVING FUN ?"

Jeff

 
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Bobstamp

08 Jul 2014
10:15:47pm

re: Exhibiting ?

When I first learned about exhibiting, I convinced myself that it wasn't for me. I didn't think I had "good enough" material, and it seemed that exhibiting was mostly about establishing bragging rights. A friend (an accredited judge) convinced me otherwise, so I decided to go for it, but only after I had seen a VANPEX medal and knew that I had to have one, just because they're really purity! Here it is:



My first exhibit started with just one cover that intrigued me; by the time of the exhibition, I had 10 frames, 16 sheets per frame, and came away with a vermeil medal and an award for the best novice exhibit. I've mounted four other exhibits since then, and finally got a gold last year, but it's not at all about the medals and award any more. Instead, I've learned that I can learn more about my collections from exhibiting than from any other way of displaying them. I don't bother with albums at all, unless stock books with clear strips and Vario pages for covers can be considered albums. I'm still doing web pages about my collections, but they are more about history than about philately.

My most recent exhibit is now on line, at "Compassion in Times of War". If you notice any typos or other problems, please let me know. Eventually I'd like to expand it to at least one more frame.

Bob

 
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re: Exhibiting ?

Bob, very nice indeed! I especially liked the "medical dogs" (of course I did!).

Are you re-exhibiting this at the 2014 Vanpex? There's a possibility I might be there, for the Sunday part.

Peter

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re: Exhibiting ?

My Mom's birthday is the 26th so I'll try to make it on the 27th.

Cheers,
Peter

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