Picture Postcards

Background

At the meeting of the Australian Philatelic Federation on 7 October 2002 a proposal was tabled from the Postcard Group (Derek Pocock) for some judging rule changes. These changed rules and the classifications which are listed hereafter were approved at the 18 January, 2003 meeting of the APF Executive.

At the October 2002 meeting of the Federation it was agreed that the various judges registers, judge training and records of judging would be maintained by the Postcard Group. It was further agreed that National exhibitions wishing to have a Postcard section within the exhibition must ensure that the judges chosen come from the panel maintained by the Group and that the new Picture Postcard rules are observed. For their part, the APF will encourage the attachment of a postcard section to National Exhibitions, but of course this is the domain of the particular Organising committee.  The amended rules are:

1.  Treatment Including Commentary  (25 points)

The first page (or the beginning of the exhibit) should have a plan or outline of the exhibit, which explains the logical progression through the exhibit as given by the title with a concise and easy to read write-up without being too lengthy or overpowering.  The 25 points for Treatment being assessed on the following basis:

a)  5 for ‘introduction in being well structured,
b)  5 for attractiveness of that introduction and
c)  15 for treatment of the exhibit.

2.   Knowledge  (30 points)

The Subject (15) - Exhibitors should show a clear understanding of the subject, significantly beyond the expected average viewer’s perspective, with research into the subject using appropriate cards to illustrate throughout.  Ideally the material and information should stimulate the viewer to study the subject themselves.

The Cards (15)  - Here the exhibitor is expected to show a technical  knowledge of the production of the cards, namely the printer, photographer, date of issue, number in the set, reprints, method of production, plate size, distribution etc.  All of these technical details are not expected in every exhibit, but some knowledge relevant to the overall production of the cards should be evident.

3.   Rarity  (10 points)

There should be an attempt to assess the cards relative to the frequency of their survival, as well as the difficulty of acquisition particularly in comparison with their relative popularity amongst card collectors.

4.   Condition  (20 points)

If the perfect card is as produced by the printer, then the determination of condition will be by evidence of handling and usage measured against a reasonable time frame.  Modern cards must be perfect.  Cards should not be penalised for postal usage or writing on the cards unless the defacement seriously detracts from the subject being shown.

5.   Presentation  (15 points)

Here tidiness, cleanliness, clarity, balance i.e an overall viewing in the frame, innovation of presentation, etc, will be duly considered.  It is here that the exhibitor may well find that the standard 4 x 4 (16 pages) can be modified by using larger sheets that nevertheless fit into the standard 1 m2 frame.

Classifications

It is permissible in all classifications of postcard exhibits to show other material to complement the display e.g. photographs, newspaper cuttings, menus etc but they shall be neither numerically nor in area more than 25% of the postcards shown.

1.     Topographical: A study of a place or places within a geographical framework.  There also may be a time aspect whereby variation through the years can be shown.

2.     Thematic:  Using cards to tell a story about a subject, theme or concept.  There may well be a mixture of cards from any country, printer, photographer etc

3.     Social: Using cards to illustrate some aspect of a social subject, be it the story of a place, people or theme illustrated primarily with postcards but allowing other material to complement the display e.g. photographs, newspaper cuttings, menus etc but not numerically more than 25% of the items shown.

4.     Classification:  A study of an artist, producer, photographer etc over a period of time or geographical area.

5.     Modern:  An exhibit of picture postcards post 1945; may be any of the 4 classifications above.