A STAMP EXHIBITION AND YOU

A philatelic exhibition is organised to promote and disseminate information about Philately.  It is a wonderful event and a delightful thing to all stamp lovers.  It will stimulate a keen interest for philately. It is educative and will surely increase your G.K. It is also likely to create lasting friendship between you and philately.

A philatelic exhibition is a great spectacle for all stamp lovers where the philatelists display their wide range of precious collections of stamps under one roof and is available for public viewing. This event is organized at some important place in your city.

The philatelic event may be of World level, National level, State level or District level. The World level and National level Philatelic Exhibitions have thousands of frames. A first look at it, over whelmed you and registers a feeling of confusion in your mind, because you find yourself standing in a jungle of frames, which are planted in so many rows in different patterns. It might not be possible to see all the frames. Go through the programme of the exhibition and display plans. There are the number of exhibits, some on science, some on history, some on culture, some on tradition, some on flora and fauna etc. Make a selective list. So make a more effective choice of what to see, and what not to see. This will help you in properly planning your approach and enjoying the same to full extent.

Always start with those, which are related to your stamp collection and which attract you most. There might be exhibits of some prominent philatelists and some rare items on display, be sure to include in your programme even though they may not be falling under your specialization.  Reserve some time in your schedule to see the classics exhibits, exhibits in invitation class, Court of Honour Class, Exhibits of Postal Administrations, Collection of the members of the Jury (by invitation only, if any)  and  prize winning exhibits after the announcement of awards and of course do not forget to see the ‘The Best Exhibit, prize winning exhibit.

Observe and examine the selected exhibits carefully and note down the following points:

i.        the items displayed on the theme 

ii.       the way it is presented.

iii.      the leading idea of the exhibit.

          iv.      how they have been related to the theme.

v.       the way it has been written up.

vi.      General impression of the exhibit.

If it appears to you that there is something unique, uncommon or some new idea presented, then bookmark it in your mind.

Note down important points – they will be in handy when your memory begins to fail you and the exhibition is long dismantled. Compare the exhibits and try to form your own views and judgements about their relative merits. Note that even the common stamps become as useful as rare items on an exhibit on account of depth study and research done by the exhibitor.  Similarly, relevant cancellations may also serve the purpose of stamps on an exhibit.

Examine the above thoughts and various other aspects of presentations.  What you observe, see and learn from the exhibition is going to be a milestone in your serious and  eventful philatelic career.

After seeing a philatelic exhibition it may appear to you that there is hardly anything that you can do with your stamp collection; after giving some thought, it is sure that there is something pleasant you can do with it, no matter what you have in your collection.

Sometime you can take time to compare your stamps with what you have seen at a philatelic exhibition, other times you may only be able to have a sight of them and be pleased, even though the same is for a short time.  Still other times the only thing you may be able to do is to change your own thinking about your stamp collection and this can end up being a significant positive step and which may enthuse you to exhibit your collection in a better way.

If you throw your hands in despair or frustration, it will not take you anywhere.  The more effective choice is to know, without a doubt, that there is something you can do with your stamps, and to then get busy with them.  A best stamp collection exhibit is made not by chance, but by choice.

God gave us two ends, one to sit on and one to think upon (about your stamp collection also) and act.  Success depends on which one you use, head you win and tails, you do not lose.  So not only think but plan also and not only plan but act also and you will met with success and see your own exhibit at the next philatelic event. It will be a thing of beauty to joy forever and a best heritage to bequeath to your children.

Good luck and enjoy philatelic exhibition.

 

     VIPAN KUMAR THAKUR