Some Points Worth Considering When Entering Competitions

Reviewed 10th November, 2011

 

(Society, Federation of National Level)

 

  1. Read the prospectus and rules thoroughly, and take careful notes of the marks awarded for each section of your class.

 

  1. Try to choose a subject to display that is not too general, e.g. “The Postal History of Great Britain” could not be covered adequately in 180 sheets, let alone 18.  Confining the display to a particular period would avoid this.

 

  1. Presentation and layout of the whole exhibit is of great importance.  It should be aesthetically pleasing to the eye (first impressions tend to linger).  It should be easy to follow by somebody who does not necessarily know your subject.  Remember the focal point on a sheet is just above the centre.  The judge will probably only have about five minutes to look at your display, so you must grab his attention.

 

  1. Try to avoid “sore thumbs” in your display.  These detract from the overall effect and you will LOSE marks for them.

 

E.g. (a) In a stamp exhibit a slightly tatty or heavily cancelled stamp should be left out,

even though you may not have a better one.

 

(b) In a postal history exhibit do not show covers where the

stamps are not clearly and definitely tied to that cover.

 

 

  1. Avoid elaborate diagrams and writing up.  The STAMPS should be the dominating feature on the page.

 

  1. A probable minimum of four single stamps per page, although over the whole entry the average should be six or seven.  Avoid overcrowding a display.

 

  1. Try not to use black leaves.  White sheets only, all of the same make and whiteness.  (If you want to enter Stampex, black leaves are NOT recommended).

 

  1. Only use Hawid mounts if you have to, i.e. only if you can be present with your entry just before it is placed in the frames, so you can reposition any stamps that may have become displaced in transit.

 

  1. One can exhibit covers and stamps on the same page.

 

  1. If two covers of different size are to go on the same sheet, put the larger one at the bottom and possibly overlap the smaller one onto the larger one.

 

  1. Mint and used stamps can be used on the same page provided they are not within a complete set being displayed.

 

  1. You will not lose marks for typing your writing up.  Each entry will be judged within its own style of writing up.

 

  1. Always enter the maximum number of sheets allowed, less only if you must, but never more.

 

  1. The first sheet can be used without stamps, if necessary, to explain your entry.  The amount of philatelic material on the rest of the sheets should make up for this loss on the first page.

 

  1. Presentation of some issues of stamps may benefit from being mounted on black card, one-sixteenth of an inch only showing around the stamp.  This makes the stamps stand out more.  Covers may also benefit from this treatment using, say a dark red background.  (A black background tends to make them look like mourning covers).

 

  1. Try to get your entry to tell a philatelic story if possible.

 

  1. The way to improve your exhibiting is to enter plenty of competitions, to accept criticism, and very importantly, to act upon these criticisms.

 

  1. Finally, remember that if the judges do not appreciate your particular entry, you will have had a lot of fun and learnt a great deal (or should have) about your own subject, thus greatly increasing your enjoyment in the enchanting world of philately.

 

Roy IC Holland FRPS, L