Eastern Suburbs Philatelic Competition (ESPC)

2007 Competition Results

The 2007 ESPC was held on Saturday 19 May at the Mount Waverley Community Centre in conjunction with the Waverley Philatelic Society annual fair.

A total of 18 exhibits were on show with 5 societies fielding full teams of 3 entries each with a further 3 entries from 3 other societies.  The Brighton Philatelic Society and the Australian Philatelic Society tied with a total of 240 points each.  Marjorie Crawford with her entry "Orchid Names" (Brighton Philatelic Society) won both the Popular vote and highest judged entry.

Australian Philatelic Society  [ Total 240 points ]

Tony Lyon NZ Treatment of Military Mail

80 points
John Lancaster British Empire Exhibition London

80 points
David Brindle Swedish Military

80 points

Berwick Philatelic Society  [ Total 221 points ]

Terry Prendergast Indonesian Repoeblik

82 points
Lee Sundin PMK Cancels on Multiples

52 points
Robbie Brown 1946 NZ Health

87 points

Brighton Philatelic Society  [ Total 240 points ]

Marjorie Crawford Orchid Names

88 points
Joe Borner All about Hungary

71 points
Brad Baker Bounty Bowling Tournament

81 points

Dandenong Philatelic Society  [ Total 234 points ]

Andrew Stevenson A-Z Philatelic Terms

82 points
Robin Ashley Whales & Whaling

77 points
Rusty Nichols Overprints

75 points

Waverley Philatelic Society  [ Total 236 points ]

Dennis Collings Military Post Markings of the Mornington Peninsula

84 points
Ted Tierney Captain Cook

67 points
Marjorie Crawford British Greeting Stamps

85 points

Representing other Societies

Brian Fuller (Oakleigh) Political Satire

71 points
Jim Shaw (Royal) NZ Express Post

Not Judged
Frank Richter (Mooroolbark) HK Star Signs

73 points

Special Note

From 2008, the Victorian Philatelic Council have requested that only novice entries who do not win a prize are to be given an exhibitor's medal.

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The ESPC Philosophy

Surprise, surprise, there are some very positive aspects to displaying.  Firstly change your mindset to: what can I gain out of this and can I help a fellow collector with their collection!

First you have to find out what you have or more likely what you do NOT have.  You have to get your shoebox in good order. You have to decide what it is it you want to display and how well you have collected it.  By publicly declaring your interest your audience will keep an eye open for you and may even dispose of their surplus material to you for little or no cost.

You need to collate your references and research those areas where you have made assumptions and presumptions.  To feel even better about yourself you need to form liaisons with those that have been there and done that. Many people are willing to help.  You can even help your fellow collector by imparting knowledge at Club workshops and with Items of Interest.

Can the Eastern Suburbs Philatelic Competition (ESPC) Rules assist me improve my collection?  Briefly the design of the rules and criteria are to encourage the club level collector to display and not to penalize them for using material that does not accord with judging criteria for traditional or exhibition classes of philately.  The main guidance on content permitted is that material must mainly purport to be for postal or philatelic purposes and be issued or used by any entity.  Both eminently cover your collecting and displaying interests.  Good displays will please both you and your audience.

How, in detail, can the ESPC scoring system help me prepare a good display or improve my collection?

Knowledge and Research (30 points)

Knowledge can be demonstrated in many ways not just through the choice of words accompanying the displayed items. Your Introduction to the display will give the viewers an insight into level of subject and/or philatelic knowledge and research that you have attained. Unappreciated displays are usually those that offer little supporting information, or provide information that is already evident in the material being shown. Knowledge and research should 'value-add' to the display. It should enhance and deepen the viewers' understanding and appreciation of the material being displayed.

Development (20 points)

This criterion reminds displayers that haphazardly arranging the text, illogically presenting information, or not supporting conclusions will reduce their likelihood of appreciative acknowledgment for the work you have done. The sequence of the story to be told is outlined in your Introduction and should be followed.

Completeness (20 points)

The intent of Completeness is to reward the displayer who displays exactly what they say they are going to present according to the title of the display and the outline given in the Introduction. With only fifteen sheets as a maximum available to display one's chosen subject, the choice of display title, and accompanying plan is therefore critical. If the title and scope of the display and becomes so broad it can be unachievable to show in such a limited space. Before submitting your display, you should always re-read the Introduction and ask yourself whether you have delivered on your promise.

Condition (20 points)

For condition of material the audience will take into account the age and nature of material in allocating points for condition. Modern material in plentiful supply will be expected to be in pristine condition - avoid including damaged, grubby, or unclear items (if showing postmarks, etc) if better material is freely available.

Presentation (10 points)

Good presentation is wholly in the hands of the displayer. Well-balanced pages, supported by clear and easy-to-read annotations, are the basic ingredients. Sheets should not look crowded, nor should there be large gaps or spaces. Points are easily lost for sloppy mounting, writing which is too small, or annotation that is not clearly attributable to the items being displayed. You should ensure that you have followed your plan, presented your material carefully, and demonstrated a reasonable level of relevant subject and philatelic knowledge.

More Information

For more information about the ESPC, contact Brian Fuller.