Guidelines for the Assembly and Evaluation of Youth Exhibits Thematic

Main aspects to consider in the evaluation of the Youth exhibits based on the scoring sheet and the Age Groups

The Senior Age Groups shall meet all the characteristics required for the younger Age Groups

In Class C, the exhibit will be close to meeting the characteristics indicated in the Guidelines of the Thematic Commission.

Exhibits to be shown in international exhibitions must be written in one of the languages authorized by the FIP: English, French, Spanish or German.

1. Treatment

1.1 Title and plan GROUP “A” (10 to 15 years old)

1. The title will delimitate the content to be displayed.

2. The title will be creative enough to attract attention and impact the reader.

3. It must be adjusted to the content and include all the possible aspects.

4. Titles such as the following should be avoided:

• Generic ones and hard to display (Examples: fauna, flora, sports)
• Allegorical ones which are not justified in the plan
• It can be a classic one (ski, firemen, bicycle…) or allegorical one (No-man’s land, In the name of God, Get out of here…) in both cases they can have a subtitle, especially recommended in the second ones.
• The word/phrase such as “in philately” (Example: Music in Philately) must be avoided

5. All exhibits must have a plan closely linked to the title.

• 6. An introductory text will be included with some explanations about the purpose of the

exhibit.

7. The exhibit must be structured in chapters and sub-chapters. Plan is not an index nor an inventory. It must be well balanced in the distribution of chapters and subchapters according to the importance of every aspect for the exhibit’s topic (it is not logical to have a chapter with two subchapters and another with nine).

8. The distribution showed in the plan must follow a logical order (an exhibit about ships will not display the steam ships prior to the sailing ships).

9. The plan will not include chapters such as

• Introduction
• Appendixes
• Others

GROUP “B” (16 to 18 years old)

In addition to what is expected from a group A exhibit, the following also applies:

1. A personal approach to the exhibit’s topic will be included.

• 2. Short texts or phrases may be included to explain the chapters in the plan without

damaging the plan’s structure and clear understanding.

• 3. Innovative approaches will be used for those topics with a strong

sequential/chronological order so the plan does not look like a list.

• 4. The plan will need to be especially rigorous
• Scientifically correct: The conceptual errors must be avoided
• Technically correct
• Well studied and documented
• Sources of information can be added in the first page in a discreet way.

In addition to what is expected from a group B exhibit, the following also applies:

The plan must be adjusted to the characteristics of the General Regulations of Thematic Exhibits, demonstrating the complete understanding of the related subject.

1.2 Development

GROUP “A” (10 to 15 years old)

• 1. The exhibit’s topic will be illustrated clearly and creatively using the most adequate

philatelic material available.

2. It must follow the title and the plan while deep-diving into the different sections according to the exhibit extension.

• 3. There must be a balance (similar extension) in the development of all chapters or

subchapters. It is not recommended to tackle a subchapter in just one sheet and another in ten sheets.

4. When tackling a particular concept/idea, the exhibitor will avoid including similar philatelic material with the only purpose of lengthening the extension unless it is justified by the exhibit’s balance and the inclusion of new information. For the ball in soccer, for example, showing three pages with material featuring some balls will not be correct. It will be valid only if balance with the rest of chapters/subchapters demands those three pages and different types of balls are explained.

GROUP “B” (16 to 18 years old)

In addition to what is expected from a group A exhibit, the following also applies:

• 1. The knowledge about the exhibit’s topic will be shown in an intelligent and correct

treatment, and it will be complemented with broad philatelic knowledge of the philatelic material available.

2. The thematic treatment will be developed progressively according to the exhibit’s plan and the chosen philatelic material. Thematic texts will tell the story.

3. The images on the philatelic material and the thematic text will be closely and coherently linked.

4. Development advances in depth and philatelic materials are used considering the subject

• Emission purpose
• The main and secondary elements of the stamp or postal document
• The text or artistic style of the image.
• The material/fabric used to print on, such as: silk, banknotes or war maps.
• The design of the water mark or perfin.
• The texts or images on margins, labels, covers and interleaved sheets in booklets.
• Postal services issues with clear thematic significance (railroad, telegraph, homing pigeon).

In addition to what is expected from a group B exhibit, the following also applies:

• 1. The objective is to look for certain degree of maturity with special emphasis in the

fundamental aspects of the subject

• 2. Coherence and concision are demanded in the concepts treated with the suitable

philatelic elements

3. Thematic texts will not explain something which is not shown on the philatelic material.

4. A deeper treatment will be achieved by showing interesting and innovative details on the topic. Cross references, connections and cause-effect relationships may be used in this regard.

5. Balance will be achieved on every exhibit’s page based on: type of philatelic material used, sheet layout, adequate connection between thematic texts and philatelic material.

• 6. The explanations must be concrete and must demonstrate the investigation

1.3 Innovation GROUP “A” (13 to 15 years old)

Unusual topics will be valued according to the age.

GROUP “B” (16 to 18 years old)

Unusual topics will be valued, along with original treatments of conventional topics.

Personal contribution to the treatment of a subject, such as the thematic or the philatelic one.

It will imply its own and different development, taking care of the substance and form of the well-known ones

2. Knowledge

2.1 Thematic knowledge

GROUP “A” (10 to 15 years old)

1. An explanation of the content according to the developed plan is expected in every page of the exhibit.

2. The information will be concise and linked to the plan. It is unacceptable to overload all the sheets with text. The exhibit is not a book. The exhibitor will include information linked to the philatelic material shown without being just a description of them.

3. It will be advisable that young collectors identify the reason of the stamps in all those collections composed by elements having technical classifications without losing the thread of the explanation. For example, in collections on mammals, all different species featured in the postal stamps must be identified with their scientific names, or in an exhibit on music, all the known technical names. The thematic text will be closely linked to the philatelic material which will illustrate the statement clearly.

• 4. The used postal elements will always need to make reference to the thematic text in

a correct way. For example, in a thematic text about diesel locomotives it would not be correct to insert a picture having a coal locomotive. It would demonstrate a lack of thematic knowledge or material.

GROUP “B” (16 to 18 years old)

In addition to what is expected from a group A exhibit, the following also applies:

• 1. It must contain a correct thematic text that guarantees the union of all sheets in the

exhibit, not leaving any aspect without content. For example, when mentioning the catapult mail in an exhibit about aviation history, it would not be correct to mention only the flights from the German companies.

2. It will be advisable that the young collectors should identify the reason of the stamps in all those collections composed by elements having technical classifications without losing the thread of the explanation.

3. The thematic information accessed via the exhibitor’s research will not be included as a transcription of the source. Only relevant data to the topic that show knowledge will be included as long as it is well linked to the philatelic material.

4. If the thematic reference is not evident enough in the postal element it could be remarked discreetly (arrows or indicators).

In addition to what is expected from a group B exhibit, the following also applies:

• 1. Deepening on the subject, based on the extension, must be according to the adult age
• 2. The not-well known aspects will need to demonstrate the personal research, such as the

search of secondary topical elements contained in postal documents.

3. The existence of thematic discoveries, when possible, will be valued. The exhibitor will show them in a way that draws reader’s attention and curiosity.

2.2 Philatelic knowledge GROUP “A” (13 to 15 years old)

1. The exhibitor will comply with the postal and philatelic regulations. The exhibit will not show stamps with defective perforation, creased, torn, stained or cancelled with CTO. Neither inappropriate maximum card (as Maximaphily guidelines defines them) will be included nor First Day covers’ illustrations.

2. It will be proved the use of basic philatelic vocabulary, and the correct knowledge of the used elements by its proper names (Types of stamps, cancellations, stationeries, booklets, ATM, etc.).

3. It will contain basic explanations concerning perforations, watermarks, postmarks, etc.

4. It will have a variety of postal elements, letters, stationeries, ordinary or special

cancellations, aerial postmarks, etc.

5. The establishment of new postal rate will be taken into account for the exhibitor. When a letter has been chosen for the theme on the stamp, it will include an explanation of its postal use in accordance with postal rates.

• 6. Circulated material will be preferred over those covers or materials prepared just for

philatelists.

7. All sheets must have texts with postal and/or philatelic references.

GROUP ”B” (16 to 18 years old)

In addition to what is expected from a group a exhibit, the following also applies:

• 1. The philatelic vocabulary will be precise

2. The exhibitor will begin to study plates and varieties, surcharges, meter stamps, printing procedures… and the research will be shown in the philatelic texts

3. The philatelic texts will not be mixed with the thematic ones nor will they make subjective appreciations. For example, it would not be correct “Nice postmark used between 1920 and 1925 in London City, birthplace of…..”

4. Postmark varieties, stationeries, perforations and all types of postal elements will be explained with thoroughness, demonstrating the use of philatelic Literature

5. The exhibitor will demonstrate knowledge of all types of postal rates, including aerial surcharges or some other specific services. They will be explained in the philatelic texts.

• 6. The circulated postal documents will represent an important element of support in the

exhibit. In general, it should be at least one item per page.

7. Special and First Day cancellations on uncirculated material will be shown using windows in order to hide the irrelevant part of the document and make the best use of all the space in the page. With regard to stationeries, the exhibitor will always show the whole item and, in case it is needed, a copy of the printed stamp will be included.

• 8. Ordinary postmarks not contributing with any thematic element to the development must

be avoided.

In addition to what is expected from a group B exhibit, the following also applies:

• 1. All the documents must be correctly explained, with technical vocabulary demonstrating

the use of specialized bibliography.

2. The philatelic texts will use the correct terms and vocabulary. This type of texts will be utilized to explain postal features, classify items (proof, perforation error, overprint, surcharged stamp, perfin, etc.) or justify the inclusion of revenues and other not recommended material.

3. Some specialized study will be included in the exhibit, whether about plates, varieties, surcharges, etc., and it will be properly explained.

4. Philatelic studies will follow the guidelines for Traditional Philately, Postal History or any other philatelic discipline based on the nature of the postal material to be explained.

5. Philatelic studies will be included in a way that will not affect thematic treatment. They will both coexist in parallel avoiding interruptions of the latter.

• 6. Only documents demonstrably circulated will be displayed (Certified mail, receiving

receipts, specific postmarks), with detailed explanation about postal rates and/or circumstances).

7. The materials will be chosen in the most suitable way among all the existing ones in order to represent a specific idea, giving priority to the less common ones.

8. There will be a complete variety of existing postal documents to illustrate the subject. It use will be balanced.

9. The existence of any falsification or postal manipulations must be reviewed with all its characteristics.

3. Material

3.1 Condition and cleanliness of the material GROUP “A” (10 to 15 years old)

• 1. Used stamps will be in perfect conditions: (with no tears, rust spots, fades…)

Postmarks will allow to see a clear image of the stamp, especially when it makes a reference to the subject. With regard to modern postal material, the condition will be very good.

2. Trimmed postal items will not be admitted (stamps, stationeries, aerograms…). With the exception of those having a written justification. For example: trimmed stamp in exceptional periods (War periods) due to the lack of stamps.

3. The special cancellations, mechanical postmarks, other postal marks, etc, will allow the thematic subject to be seen with clarity

GROUP “B” (16 to 18 years old)

In addition to what is expected from a group A exhibit, the following also applies:

1. All stamps will be well-centered and with bright colors.

• 2. Clean and legible date cancellations showing a postal use will be preferable on stamps

in postal documents

GROUP “C” (19 to 21years old)

In addition to what is expected from a group B exhibit, the following also applies:

1. The postal materials will be thoroughly verified in order to avoid fakes or manipulated elements

2. The reason for the use of materials not fulfilling the adequate conditions will be justified (For example, unique pieces or extremely rare, recovered from postal accidents, etc)

3.2 Presence of interesting thematic and philatelic material

In order to determine the interest scale of the philatelic material, the following points, will be considered from less to most interesting.

Column 1 Column 2

Stuck stamp Stamp on cover

Favor cancellation Cover circulated with correct postal rate

Covers excessively stamped Covers circulated correctly

Regular shipments Special shipments (Registered, Urgent, Air Mail)

Shipments franked with stamps from Shipments franked with one or several different issues several stamps from the same issue or type

Documents with no matching between the stamp Documents with a great and the postmark matching between the stamp and the postmark

Philatelic cover (illustrated or not) Postal document (for Postal needs)

Material easily found Rare material

Stamps related to the subject on ordinary letters will be admitted with some limitations: if they are used to demonstrate the real circulation of the issue with study of dates and postal rates. On the other hand, just, the stamp will be preferred.

In order to choose interesting postal material, the exhibitor will consider the condition standard for the chosen material and its availability, often reflected in price and rarity.

The exhibitor, when choosing the adequate material to be shown, will keep in mind the type, the philatelic period (pre-philately, classical items, and modern items) and the postal services.

GROUP “A” (10 to 15 years old)

• 1. The indicated elements in column 1 will have to be exceeded in several points

GROUP “B” (16 to 18 years old)

1. Most of the postal elements will correspond to the indicated ones in column 2.

2. Philatelic studies will be made in postal items having an average difficulty

1. All postal elements will correspond to those indicated in column 2

4. Presentation

These points must be followed by all young collectors. The fulfillment scale will be adjusted according to Age Groups.

1. The exhibit must contain a nice presentation.

2. The presentation will support the exhibit’s intentions and facilitate a better understanding for the reader.

3. White sheet or in light colors are recommended.

4. The numerical or alphanumerical classification of the plan must appear clearly in every exhibit’s page.

5. Plan and presentation can be illustrated with non-philatelic materials.

6. Stamps and postal documents will be distributed in a balanced way (The stamps should

not be accumulated in some sheets and covers on other sheets). The most important items will be strategically placed to attract reader’s attention.

7. Text must be distributed all over the sheet. There will not be overload or lack of text

8. Printed boxes, stamp mounts or any other enhancement element must fit the

dimensions of corresponding documents

9. Reproducing the back side of document and/or stationeries can be allowed whenever it is needed for the thematic or philatelic development

10. At least three different fonts will be always used: Title, thematic and philatelic texts.

11. The text must have a suitable and legible size

12. The orthography of the language displayed in the exhibit will be specially considered.

13. The exhibit should appeal to the eye and each sheet in every frame, as well as the overall impression of the exhibit should be well balanced.

14. In Open exhibits the non-philatelic material must not be more than 5 mm thick so that it can be mounted in standard exhibition frames.

CONCLUDING PROVISIONS

In the event of any discrepancies in the text arising from translation, the English text shall take precedence. These Guidelines for the Judging of Youth Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions have been approved by the Youth Commission Bureau members during the Conference meeting on 8 August 2022. It has been approved by the FIP Board and ratified at the FIP Congress on 9 August 2022.