Revised February 2013 - FIP Postal HistoryHistory) of a significant postal service 24. The Judging...

Revised February 2013

FIP Commission for Postal History

Streamline Seminar 2, Simplified

The Judging Criteria for Postal History Exhibits

v Judging the appearance of the exhibit: Presentation – 5 points

v Judging the material included:Rarity 20 points and Condition 10 points

v Judging what the exhibitor knows about the material presented: Knowledge and Personal Study 35 points

v Judging the challenge and how well the challenge has been met: Philatelic Importance 10 points and Treatment 20 points

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vThe appearance of the exhibit should complement the treatment of the exhibit by its general lay-out and clarity.

v Judges should evaluate the work put into the appearance of the exhibit from the point of view of how it facilitates the accessibility, understanding and attraction of the exhibit to judges and viewers alike.

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v Is there clear connection between the philatelic material and text?

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v Is there a clear connection between the philatelic material and text?

vAppropriate font size and style of text so the exhibit is easy to read?

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Font – Times Roman Bold 16


Font – Times Roman 11


Fonts other than this example are acceptable as long as they are easy to read.




vAccessibility – use of tables and short paragraphs facilitates understanding

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Good example: Headings and tables convey large amount of

information easily




vAccessibility – use of tables and short paragraphs facilitates understanding

vRelated non-philatelic material helps to make the exhibit more understandable

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Use of picture postcard image conveys primitive conditions of mail service better than words.

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vThe balance on each page and in each frame

§ Pages are uniformly full (unless highlighting rare items)§ Pages within frame show some variation

in item placement

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vNo wasted space –§ Empty space (except where used for rarity

emphasis)§ Space filled with unrelated illustrations,

large maps, or other “space filler” techniques.

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This image cannot currently be displayed.

Map is modern and too large – not really needed to know where Launceston is located for purpose of this exhibit

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Better to show route from Hong Kong to Tasmania or better still to have another cover for this page, and no map



vNo wasted space –§ Empty space (except where used for rarity

emphasis)§ Space filled with unnecessary illustrations,

large maps, or other “space filler” techniques.

vThe mounting – is it careful and neatly done or sloppy?

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v In assessing rarity keep in mind it is both an objective and a relative term.

vA judge needs to assess the difference between the rarity of an invitation envelope with a 1d. Post Office Mauritius stamp versus a cancellation with an inverted year figure, even if only three of each have been so far recorded.

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It is impossible for a judge to know all the worldwide rare rates, routes and markings!

The judge needs to assess if the exhibitor has done the necessary personal study to determine how many of a particular rarity have been recorded.

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vAssess if the exhibit explains an item is rare

§ Just the word “unique” without an explanation is generally not acceptable.

§Explanations to viewers must include exactly what is rare about the item� i.e. only recorded cover taking

this route or with this rate or marking

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The Judging Criteria for Postal History ExhibitsExample of text indicating exactly why an item is rare

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vUnder rarity the judge should consider what the exhibit contains.

§ An exhibit with only ordinary material cannot get high rarity points § An exhibit with many rare items should get

maximum points a few rarities are missing. § Missing items will be evaluated under

treatment.v If an exhibit has many rare items and is

getting 29-30 points for rarity and condition, adding missing rare items might generate more points in treatment.

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vCategory 1: World Class rarities

vCategory 2: Major rarities

vCategory 3: Important rarities

vCategory 4: Minor rarities

Each will be discussed in more detail

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v Single use of a rare stamp on cover with the correct rate for the uncommon denominations proving why the stamp was issued

vEarliest use of a postage stamp of a country

vHighest known rate or franking

vEarliest use (in WORLD Postal History) of a significant postal service

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Category 1: Highest recorded rate or frankingAustrian Italy -

v Highest recorded franking of the 10 Cent. Value

v 120C+30C=150C for a registered letter between 3-4 Loth (53 to 70 grams) from Cividale to Venezia which was the second Rayon (10-20 post miles= 75-150 km), effective 1 June 1850 to 30 October 1858

The strip of three (30 C) on the reverse side is the registration fee which was usually fixed on the back, at least between 1850-1865


vEarliest use of a rare and significant handstamp or a rare and important cancellation

vCovers showing special rates, routes, destinations, significant dates

vRare postal usages of bisects, locals, fiscals and postal forgeries

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Category 2: Use of significant cancellation Great Britain and United States

Postmark from the first full day & evening operation of Pearson Hill Trial Machine A

25 September 1857 only known example

22 January 1861First Day of Trial

“Norton Patent Duplex” Mechanical Device -New York city trial period 22 January to 28 March 1861


v Includes supporting material a step below Category 2

vAs noted previously this means that one or more factors apply to the item being shown:

§ Narrower dates of usage§ Lesser important geographic area involved§ Later phases of innovative postal practices§ Slightly larger numbers known

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Category 3: Important Rarity: Postal use of a local - United

States

30 known on cover – exceptional 4 margin copy of adhesive.

23 January 1846

Use of 5 cent Baltimore Postmaster Provisional to pay US domestic letter rate for less than 300 miles


THE FIRST OPIUM WAR

In 1839, an Imperial edict ordered the expulsion of foreign traders and seizure of opium in Canton. In order to protect foreign interests in China, British Government sent an Eastern Expedition Force from India to Canton in June 1840.

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Category 3: Important Rarity:Notable handstamp - China

MILITARY POST OFFICE CHINA Cachet One of 5 recorded

Applied at the base post office on mail sent by military personnel.


vAncillary material including scarce items§ Usages or frankings on entire or on part

letters, postmarks on loose stamps or postal stationery cutouts and other items not mentioned in previous levels

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c1851 -55 Stampless envelope from town of Woodstock.

Only known example of this date stamp. Not significant for any exhibit except for one of a “county/hometown” . Rare but not scarce!

Example from Postal History of Howard County, Maryland USA


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Relative RarityCategory 1 or 2?

5 known on cover.Only one to foreign destination

28 March 1847: Use of 10 cent Baltimore Postmaster Provisional to pay US postage to port of departure (Boston)

v Exhibit 0f United States postal history about the introduction of “uniform postage” – this item falls in Category 2: VERY RARE

vExhibit of Baltimore Postal History: this item falls in Category 1: GREAT RARITY


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Only three single frankings of the 8 d Ceylon to France rate from the entire period up to 1871 have survived

Only recorded single franking with 8d 1863-66 issue.

Single use of a rare stamp on cover with the correct rate for the uncommon denominations proving why the stamp was issued. Category 1: 1 to 3 known – World Rarity.


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Cover showing special route/destination: Category 2: 1 to 3 known - Great Rarity


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Usages or frankings or notable handstamps not mentioned in previous levels. Category 3: 1 to 3 known –Very Rare.

Butcher & Sandy Local Post – to the mails service –November 16, 1849

Typical blue Baltimore CDS and oval 5 rate handstamp for the domestic rate of less than 300 miles.

Only recorded example


vWhen assessing condition the shown items should be in the best possible condition for what is available to secure full points.

vExceptions:§ Disaster Mail§ Disinfected Mail§ Letters written to soldiers, etc;

Judges should consider the circumstances and not expect this type of item to be in perfect condition.

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Example of Disaster Mail

Condition issues to be expected for this type of item.

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vWhile rarity is still in our minds, the judge should realize that an item in remarkable condition may be truly exceptional even though a large number of examples exist.

vEXAMPLE – Irish Mermaid handstamp known from 1808-1813, exceptional copies exist for 1st month only…

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20 JA 1808 superb

18 JY1808Very Fine

? 1810common/weak


Items in bad shape …..§ Ripped§ Dirty§ Missing parts of the envelope or letter§ Stamps franking the covers badly cut

into or other defects

will get full points for condition even if many of the items are rare but are known to exist in better condition.

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Date of paper manufacture matters when assessing “best possible” condition:

As a : earlier will be better….

The condition of paper of the entires and covers in the first time period (up to 1875) is normally going to be better than the second time period (1875 to 1945) because of the high content of rag (cotton fibers) in the early paper and the use of an acid based manufacturing process and recycled paper or groundwood pulp for paper of the second period.

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vAssess readability:§ Hand-written (manuscript) markings § Handstamps§ Machine cancels

vFull points for condition cannot be given if these strikes are not readable but are known to exist in better condition.

– Marcophily

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v Implicit Knowledge§ Material selected

vExplicit Knowledge§ Explanations and analysis in write-ups

vResearch & Personal Study§ New Information presented§ Newest research used

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vAssess the material included or excluded from the exhibit

this will indicate a strong or weak grasp of the chosen topic.

§ Determine if the exhibit is just an accumulation of mostly rare covers without any connection to each other� this could make the exhibit development

choppy and show a lack of philatelic knowledge. The judge would assess high rarity points but low knowledge and treatment points.

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vAssess the material included or excluded from the exhibit

this will indicate a strong or weak grasp of the chosen topic.

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Determine if the exhibit consists of mostly common covers showing common rates, routes or markings; such exhibits will not score well in knowledge or in rarity, if missing material includes difficult to find rates, routes or markings.


vDetermine if the items shown are properly and accurately described.

vThe judge should determine if the relevant markings and rates are noted with emphasis on the aspect for which the item is included.

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vAssess if the exhibit repeats the obvious and score the exhibit appropriately. § If the write-up only states the origin and

destination of the cover, the total amount of the franking without explaining the rate, the visible postmarks and nothing else it will not score well for knowledge points

vAssess if the write-up filters the important and relevant facts of each item shown and avoids lengthy write-ups of secondary and tertiary information or what obviously can be seen.

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Left Boston April 9th on Cunard steamer Canada, arriving in Liverpool April 21st , British FPO CDS of 22 April and French entry mark of 23 Avril 51.

Baltimore to Paris – April 7, 1851. Handstamp PAID and numeral 5 in red applied in Baltimore.

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5¢ represents the British Open Mail rate (paying to port of departure).

Under the 1843 Franco-British Treaty mail was exchanged using bulk rates - the boxed COLONIES &C. ART 13 indicating the appropriate section of the letter bill under which the rate was documented.

Inadequate

Not much better

Everything is explained!

By this time the French were charging 15 decimes due regardless of distance travelled in France. Of this, 10 decimes went to Britain to cover the sea postage and the transit fee

Helpful but incomplete


Assess the level of personal study and research contained in the exhibit.

v If the subject is a relatively untrodden aspect of postal history the judge would expect to find a good deal of personal study and the exhibit should be given credit for this or lose points if not present.

v If the subject is well-trodden assess the amount of personal study by the exhibitor’s grasp of the literature in their chosen subject and the analysis of this research.

v Also if the exhibit of a well trodden subject provides an appropriate fresh approach this deserves points for knowledge and personal study. § Such an exhibit showing new research and

results should be rewarded especially.

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vCovers with § enhanced or altered postal marks§ stamps added§ repairs

that are not noted in the exhibit show a and the exhibit has to lose points.

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Doubtful items should be assessed by the expert team, which has the option to recommend

disqualification to the jury as a whole.


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Postcard HK to Canton - altered by adding fake slits meant to indicate disinfection.

Chinese were never paranoid about “dirty mail” therefore; no disinfection of mail ever took place in HK or Canton.

Altered Material – Example


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vSubject significance – overall development within own field

vSubject significance – world postal system development

vOther Factors

vFor Sub-class 2C: § Philatelic Importance of an exhibit (5

points)§ Historical and social importance of the

subject (5 points)

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v Judges should give greater weight to the postal history of a country than a city

vA capital city is generally more important than a provincial town or rural area

vA rate study of postal agreements between states is more significant than domestic internal rates within a single state (same time period)

v Sub-class 2C: A study of events which have major impact to society is more important as are studies of monumental events versus minor historical or regional events

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v The first implementation of a major postal innovation should be viewed by judges under importance. § Innovations such as the GB adoption of

adhesive stamps for pre-payment of the mail in 1840 § First use of machine cancellation devices. § Introduction of postcodes and automated mail

sorting

vGreater complexity in postal development needs to be considered by judges when assessing importance. § For instance a study of the postal services of St.

Thomas, Brindisi, Aachen, Singapore or Hong Kong: all were small places during the first and second postal history time periods, but they had complex postal systems and were connected with the rest of the world.

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vScope§ When judging importance broad scope

subjects are more important than narrow scope subjects broad scope exhibits may lose points in treatment if inadequately covered.

vTime Period§ When assessing importance the judge

should consider that the postal history of a country founded within a later time period is just as important as the postal history of an earlier one – Israel, the Peoples Republic of China or Vietnam.

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vFocus - Assess which postal history aspect (rates, routes, markings or usage) is the theme of the exhibit

vScope – Assess how clearly and logically the exhibit scope is set

vSubject Development – assess if this matches the set scope

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vFocus - Postal History aspects** assessed by the judges: rates, routes, markings and usage. § Judges should assess how well the exhibit

develops one of these aspects as the

§ The judges also need to make sure the secondary aspects are discussed when it is appropriate§ Judges should deduct points if the focus

flip-flops from one aspect to another.

** SubClass 2C – the unifying factor can be social or historical

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v If the unifying element is a stamp issue § For example: Usage of the KG VI Issues of GB

vAssess if the exhibit focus, organization and balance is truly related and not the “usage” section of an exhibit that would better fit in the Traditional Class

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vAny of the following can set the scope of the exhibit (or a combination of more than one) § Judges should assess how well the exhibit

sets the of the exhibit if this is significant§ The of the exhibit needs

to be well defined if this is significant § The has to be set,

government postal system, private enterprise postal system or military postal system if this is significant

scopes such as a railway or waterway or seaports for transatlantic mail or specific postal conventions if this is significant

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The Dublin Censor Office:Irish Civil Censorship: 1939-1945

“The Emergency”: On exhibit is the most comprehensive showing of Irish postal censorship as implemented by the Dublin Censor Office during World War II, 1939-1945, known in Ireland as “The Emergency”.

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Where: jurisdiction When

What


Colombia: Correspondencia Oficial y Franquicias: Official Mail and Correspondence with exemption rate frankings:

A study of official mail and officially reduced postage rates – covers, telegrams, special forms, stamps, cancellations and official frankings.

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Where

When ??: no starting or ending dates


v Section Balance§ Logically based on the exhibit subject§ Size appropriate to the exhibit subject. � Sections that have too much or not enough

material to properly explain the subject shouldlose points

vOrganization and Sequence§ Assess how well the organization reflects the

primary focus of the exhibit§ Sequence clearly defined if not chronological§ No unexplained gaps

vMaterial selected§ Adequate to explain the subject § Few or no redundant examples – including

rarities. § Here is where points should be deducted if

important items are not present.

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Revised February 2013 - FIP Postal HistoryHistory) of a significant postal service 24. The Judging...

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