Solihull Philatelic Society

 Classes (in line with ABPS and FIP) I. Traditional Traditional philately can embrace all aspects of philately. It is based on the collecting of postage stamps and related items, including materials related to the production of postage stamps. It also includes Telegraph, Railway and Local stamps. Stamps on covers and post cards may be shown provided no reference is made to rates, routes or postal markings. II. Postal History This class includes studies of the development of postal services, including the evolution of rates and routes, postal markings and marcophily. Marcophily, occasionally called Marcophilately, is the specialised study and collection of postmarks, cancellations and postal markings applied by hand or machine on mail that passes through a postal system It is not normally advisable to include unused adhesives or unused postal stationery. III. Aerophilately This class is based on studies of the development and operation of airmail services and the material prepared for these services, both official and unofficial. It can also include exhibits of airmail stamps and their use. IV. Thematic This class is for entries based on a theme or a subject which is developed to a logical plan by the use of the widest range of appropriate stamps and other philatelic material. Revenue stamps may be included where no other philatelic material will convey the intended message. However, such material should be used sparingly. V. Postcards The Picture Postcard class is now fully accepted as a competitive class at FIP exhibitions. A picture postcard exhibit can have a geographical (topographical) treatment, including for example illustrations from a place or area, or it can be developed thematically. An event may be shown as a form of reportage, or the exhibit may have the photographer, the artist, the printer, the printing process or the material as the topic. Original thinking and creativity may also lead to different treatments of an exhibit. The emphasis is on the picture rather than on philatelic aspects of the card. VI. Open This class gives an exhibitor complete freedom to present an exhibit on any subject using up to 50% of non-philatelic items. The lower the proportion of non-philatelic material the greater will be the possibility that it could adversely affect the proportion of marks given to that aspect. The non-philatelic material must not be thicker than 5 mm so as to be able to fit into standard exhibition frames. The picture side of post cards are classified as non-philatelic and the address side classified as philatelic. VII. 9 Sheet entries. This is available in all the previously listed categories to any member who has not previously entered that specific category in a 16 sheet competition. The marking scheme and awards are exactly the same as for the equivalent 16 sheet competition. VII. Social Philately. Social Philately: This is not a recognised class - Exhibitors who have previously shown in this class are encouraged to enter in Open Philately or one of the other recognised classes. 

 Evaluation System The criteria and points available are as follows: Classes I. Traditional, II. Postal History and III. Aerophilately Treatment and importance 20 points Treatment 10 points Importance 30 points Total Knowledge and Research 20 points Knowledge 15 points Research and Personal Study 35 points Total Condition and Rarity 10 points Condition 10 points Rarity 30 points Total 5 points Presentation 100 points Grand Total Class IV. Thematic Philately Treatment 15 points Title and Plan 15 points Development 5 points Innovation 35 points Total Knowledge, Study and Research 15 points Thematic 15 points Philatelic 30 points Total Condition and Rarity 10 points Condition 20 points Rarity 30 points Total 5 Presentation 100 points Grand Total Class V. Postcards Idea, Plan and Treatment of the topic 10 points Idea and Plan 20 points Treatment 30 points Total 35 points Knowledge and Research Condition and Rarity 10 points Condition 20 points Rarity 30 points Total 5 points Presentation 100 points Grand Total Class VI. Open Treatment 10 points Title and Plan 20 points Treatment 30 points Total Knowledge and Research 20 points Philatelic Knowledge and Research 15 points Non-philatelic Knowledge and Research 35 points Total Material 10 points Condition 20 points Rarity 30 points Total 5 points Presentation 100 points Grand Total Awards - Minimum points required: 90 points Large Gold 85 points Gold 80 points Large Vermeil (Large Silver Gilt) 75 points Vermeil (Silver Gilt) 70 points Large Silver 65 points Silver 60 points Silver Bronze 55 points Bronze Below 55 points Diploma [Updated following agreement at the 2019 MPF Autumn Convention] 

 Brief definitions of Judging Criteria These are to be found in a more complete format on the ABPS website. Treatment and Importance Treatment is how the exhibit tells its story; it needs a title and an introduction, a cohesive story line, an appropriate ending, and should be balanced overall. The ‘Philatelic Importance’ of an exhibit is determined by both the significance of the actual exhibit in relation to the subject chosen, and the overall significance of that subject in the field of philately in general. Knowledge and Research Knowledge is the degree of knowledge of the exhibitor as expressed by the items chosen for an exhibit and their related description. Personal Study is the proper analysis of the items chosen for the exhibit. Research is the presentation of new facts related to the chosen subject. Condition and Rarity Condition is relative; however, material should aim to be in the best condition available. However, it is important to remember the actual condition obtainable will vary according to the country and usage. Rarity is difficult to define in absolute terms and has to be assessed relative to the class of material. Thus in terms of numbers available, many postal stationery items would be considered rare to extremely rare when compared to adhesive stamps. Local Postal History material may be very rare indeed. Value is not rarity. The Judge should take account of: Does the subject area include very rare material? And Are all the accepted rarities in the subject area present? How difficult is it to acquire or replicate the exhibit? Presentation The write up must be clear, concise and relevant to the material shown and to the subject chosen for the exhibit. The method of presentation should show the material to best effect and in a balanced way. It is important to avoid unduly uniform arrangements. No advantage or disadvantage shall apply as to whether the text is handwritten, typed or printed. Brightly coloured inks and coloured album pages should be avoided