• Introduction
  • Welcome
  • About BNAPS Education
• Novices
  • Youth
    • Introduction
    • Canada’s Art and Artists on Canadian Stamps
    • My Favourite ... Cartier, 1534-1934
    • Collect Canada’s 1953–57 Wildlife Stamps
    • A Ship from History
    • First Day Covers
  • Adult
    • Introduction
    • A Small Start Can Build a Grand Collection
    • Canada's prime Ministers series of 1951-1955
    • The Admiral Stamps of Canada
    • An Introduction to Canadian Machined Slogan Cancels
• Experienced Collectors
  • Stamp Collectors
    • Introduction
    • Grenfell on Stamps of Newfoundland and Canada
    • Bluenose is Still Considered Canada’s Finest Stamp
    • The Open (or Shut) Case for Booklet Collecting
    • 1946 Stamps Show Canada’s Return to Peace
    • Issues of WWII: King, Country, and Conflict
    • The 1932 Medallions are Modern Classics
    • Canadian Stamps Marked Montreal Olympics
  • Postal Historians
    • Introduction
    • Canada’s ½¢ Small Queen had Multiple Uses
    • Covers Commemorated the Royal Visit of 1939
    • Some 19^th Century Mail That Took it on the Chin
    • Markings on Canadian Naval Mail of WWII
    • Crashes, Fires, and War Interrupted the Mail
    • Paquebot Covers: Mailed on the High Seas
• Exhibitors
  • Introduction
  • Aid to Exhibitors and Judges
  • Getting Started in Philatelic Exhibiting
  • Use resources to help solve puzzling covers
• The Press
  • Commercial publications
    • Introduction
    • Stamp Society Supports Youth Philately
  • Society publications
    • Introduction
    • Stamp Society Supports Youth Philately
• EDUCATION SECTION MAP

Getting Started in Philatelic Exhibiting, Part 3
by John Hotchner^* (EEX3C)
Originally published by the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors

Other Resources

Exhibiting is a learning experience, and at its best, it is also an interactive experience with other exhibitors. In fact one of the best parts of exhibiting is that it is a path to meeting other people who share your interests, and collectors who (having seen your exhibit) will search you out to offer material and information to improve your exhibit. Judges will offer specific suggestions for improvements if you make the effort to attend the critique session that they are required to provide. Also, they will review your exhibit with you at your frames if you ask.

Earlier I suggested that one of the best learning tools is to go to shows and look carefully at what exhibitors have done. Take a notebook, and write down the techniques you think are most effective, and which you might be able to use in your own exhibit. Make the effort to get to know some of the exhibitors, and tell them that you are just getting started. Most will be truly happy to help you over the path they have already taken.

Written resources can also be helpful. First join the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors, an organization of nearly a thousand exhibitors and aspiring exhibitors, judges and show administrators, which puts out a quarterly magazine called The Philatelic Exhibitor, which many beginners have found to be an essential resource. The address for AAPE and the APS will be found at the end of this pamphlet. Among AAPE's services is a free critique service through which you can get a judge's review of a developing exhibit before you ever put it up in frames.

You might also consider purchasing a new book released at Washington 2006, titled The Philatelic Exhibitors Handbook, Third Edition, expanded and revised by Ada Prill, with assistance from many others in the exhibiting community. It is actually an updating of Randy Neil's landmark work by the same name, first published 20 years ago. This book provides a wealth of information on how to choose a subject, the mechanics of developing the exhibit, what a tide page should contain, and much, much more.

When Your Exhibit Is Ready For Prime Time

Or as it is beginning to take shape, write to several shows to get their exhibit prospectus. Read the prospectuses carefully, for they will tell you a lot about how the host committee will conduct the show, and what is expected of the exhibitors. Pick one of more shows you would like to enter, preferably close enough to home that you can attend. And then enjoy the show experience from a completely new perspective.

A Final Word

The exhibiting world is one of challenge, personal achievement, new friends, and sometimes a little frustration. You may not always receive the award you think your exhibit should earn. It may take longer than you hoped to build to that Gold medal. But persistence pays. Disappointments along the road just make die ultimate victory that much sweeter.

21 Suggestions For Getting Started With Your First Exhibit

1. Have reasonable expectations. A Gold is the end of the rainbow. You will get there, but be content to start with any medal at all.
2. Take care in picking your exhibit subject and tide.
3. Join AAPE, and read about others' experiences to see how they might apply to you.
4. For ideas about titles/subjects and to see how others have done exhibits, visit nearby shows and study the exhibits. Adapt good ideas and effective techniques.
5. Put all your relevant material together, and begin to organize it into a story.
6. Get and read the APS Manual of Philatelic Judging.
7. Study your material to make certain that you know as much about it as possible.
8. Dummy up your exhibit pages using stock cards to place your stamps and covers in the way they might be arranged on an exhibit page.
9. Describe your material briefly, without stating what is obvious from stamps or covers. Then put your descriptions on small pieces of paper, and add those to your stock cards.
10. As you survey what you have, pay attention to what you still need to tell die complete story.
11. As you begin to make pages, keep them simple to start; plain white paper - no borders.
12. Make certain that the story line of your exhibit is clear.
13. Pay attention to neatness, spelling, and other elements that will make your pages attractive to look at and easy to read.
14. State facts in your exhibit, not opinions or generalities; e.g. "One of six reported examples", not "rare".
15. Have friends or family look at your pages to proof read them for you and to make sure that the story and text makes sense.
16. Enter your first exhibit at a local or regional show to get your feet wet.
17. Take your exhibit to its first several showings, attend the critique, and ask judges for at-the-frames observations.
18. If you don't get the award you expect, get the judges' suggestions, and keep improving the exhibit. Realize that any worthy challenge has moments of frustration.
19. Use the AAPE Critique Service to get a more in-depth critique.
20. Think of your exhibit as a work in progress. Even after you get to Gold, you can improve it.
21. You may not agree with all judges' comments, but disagreement is not license to be disagreeable. Listen carefully, ask for clarifications, correct misimpressions politely.

Help In Getting Started

This pamphlet is brought to you by the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors. Visit our website at www.aape.org, or write to:

if you have questions not answered here. AAPE wants to help you get started. We hope you will join with us. A membership application form is provided as part of the pamphlet.

The American Philatelic Society is the national umbrella organization for the United States, with 45,000 members, 600 local stamp club chapters, and 2OO national specialty societies. APS also regulates the national stamp show and exhibition system. The APS Manual of Philatelic Judging is available from:

for $9.60 (members) or $12.00 (non-members). For membership information write to the above address or visit www.stamps.org.

The Philatelic Exhibitors Handbook, Third Edition will be available from Subway Stamp Shop, and from many philatelic literature dealers. Google "Subway Stamp Shop" for further information.

*John Hotchner is the co-founder with Randy Neil of the AAPE, and is editor of its quarterly magazine. He is a national grand award level exhibitor and is a national and international judge.