APS Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges

1. APS Committee on Accreditation of National Exhibitions and Judges Enhancing the Joy of Creating and Judging Exhibits. The Title Page and Synopsis -Keys to Communication CANEJ

2. Course Objectives Participants will learn: • Recommended elements for title pages • Optional elements for title pages • Thematic exhibit exception • Differences between One Frame and Multi-frame title pages • Resources for assistance in creating and evaluating title pages • Elements of a good synopsis CANEJ

3. The Role of a Title Page A title page should invite all viewers • inform them of what to expect • and start the exhibit dialog. It is the beginning of Treatment (and scored that way). • The Title Page Defines: • What the exhibitor is showing (purpose) • Period and / or Place, if relevant (scope) • How the exhibit is developed (treatment method, and plan or outline) • Why the exhibit’s subject is important CANEJ

4. A Word about Treatment • Common treatment types (traditional, thematic, postal history, etc.) appear as guidelines in MJE7’s Appendices* • Exhibitors are not limited to using only these guides • Exhibitors can be as creative as they wish!!! • Concerned about points and medal level? Then ensure that the Title Page contains the elements for assessment (Purpose, Scope, Plan, etc.) * MJE7 = APS Manual of Philatelic Judging and Exhibiting – 7th Edition, available on the APS website www.stamps.org. CANEJ

5. The Title The Title represents the entire exhibit: what, where, when • Best: unambiguous (clear, informative) The United States 2¢ Jackson Regular Issues of 1870-1879 The Development of the American Submarine 1900 to 1924 • Flawed: clever, but uninformative Give My Regards to Broadway [What? When?] From Pollywog to Shellback [Completely uninformative] What Happened to That? [Completely uninformative] • Flawed: incomplete The Destroyers That Helped to Save an Empire [Where? When?] Scouting on Stamps "Classics“ [What? Where? When?] Reposted, Advertised and Unclaimed [Where? When?] CANEJ

6. The Title • Clever titles may be saved by informative subtitles, but subtitles are not shown on the list of exhibits. • The most common flaw: failure to include dates and/or geography (scope limits) when they are important aspects of the exhibit Without adequate information jury preparation is impaired If the exhibitor masks the content, the jury preparation is impaired CANEJ

7. Statement of Purpose The Statement of Purpose defines one’s entire exhibit: what the viewer will see and learn and its scope limits • Best Scope limits: time Scope limits: geography CANEJ

8. Statement of Purpose • Flawed WHAT IS THE FLAW HERE? CANEJ

9. Statement of Purpose • Flawed Purpose buried in 3rd paragraph weakens the impact: move up. CANEJ

10. Statement of Purpose • Flawed WHAT ARE THE FLAWS? CANEJ

11. 2. Statement of Purpose - 3 • Flawed Very wordy, dense type, and nowhere does this give the inclusive dates CANEJ

12. Statement of Purpose • Flawed HOW COULD THIS BE IMPROVED? CANEJ

13. Statement of Purpose • Flawed Purpose and Scope succinct (good) but better as first paragraph CANEJ

14. Statement of Purpose • Missing: This is rare, but it does happen WHAT DOES THE TITLE TELL US ABOUT THE EXHIBIT? As a viewer, what do you expect to see in this exhibit? CANEJ

15. Statement of Purpose • Missing: This is rare, but it does happen • A missing purpose statement =viewer must make up purpose. • Jurycannot measure the exhibitor’s success or intent. • Title implies a focus on the person • But exhibit was about stamps and labels he designed. CANEJ

16. Philatelic Exhibit or Non-philatelic (theme) Exhibit? • Usually part of the purpose statement, sometimes explicitly and sometimes not A comprehensive philatelic exhibit of stamp production and uses Clearly a philatelic exhibit that focuses on cancellations CANEJ

17. Philatelic Exhibit or Non-philatelic (theme) Exhibit ? • Identifying the exhibit type is very useful for the jury to anticipate what will be shown • A study of a non-philatelic subject • Affects how “importance” is assessed. • See following slides. • A philatelic exhibit of stamps and their uses. • Additional detail on rates as the reason for new and provisional issues. CANEJ

18. Scope • Usually part of the Title or Subtitle, scope sets out the boundaries of the exhibit, usually time and/or geography • Best • Flawed Clear scope WHAT IS THE FLAW HERE? CANEJ

19. Scope • Usually part of the Title or Subtitle, scope sets out the boundaries of the exhibit, usually time and/or geography • Best • Flawed Clear scope Indeterminate scope (end point?) CANEJ

20. Importance • Importance = inherent value, significance, challenge, and impact of the exhibit subject. • It is measured differently: • for philatelic subjects = philatelic impact • for non-philatelic (theme) subjects = challenge of creation + exhibit impact • Importance is normally explained in the synopsis. • A brief statement on the title page can provide helpful guidance since most viewers will not see the synopsis. CANEJ

21. Plan / Development Treatment is best documented by a short plan or outline of development – a road map • Best This plan helps the viewer and the exhibitor understand the flow of the exhibit Note that the plan does not have to be long and complex to be effective CANEJ

22. Plan / Development • Flawed WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED HERE? CANEJ

23. Plan/Development • Flawed Not wrong, but a very detailed outline = hard to keep in mind as the viewer examines the exhibit CANEJ

24. Plan / Development A plan need not be an outline – a simple statement, e.g., the exhibit is organized chronologically, may be sufficient to guide viewers. LATVIA THE FIRST BANKNOTE STAMPS AND ITS OVERPRINTS Organization: This exhibit is presented in chronological order: HOW COULD THIS BE IMPROVED? CANEJ

25. Plan / Development Make it plain to viewers that you have a plan, even if it is just a few words. LATVIA THE FIRST BANKNOTE STAMPS AND ITS OVERPRINTS Organization: This exhibit is presented in chronological order: Dates of the First Banknote Issue would be helpful Scope limits CANEJ

26. Plan / Development Special Case: Thematic exhibits require a more comprehensive outline (ATA/FIP rules, not APS). Usually, the outline goes only one level below the Chapter level. CANEJ

27. Introductory Narrative A brief background statement about the exhibit’s focus is useful • Best: Brief information follows the Purpose and Scope Statement Capture the importance and context of the exhibit • Flawed: • Wordy • Preceding the Purpose Statement • Failing to cover importance CANEJ

28. Philatelic Item or Map (Optional *) If using a philatelic item, be certain to choose the first itemin your main subject, or a precursor to your subject, or representativeof the whole. • Best The imperforate pane is an excellent item for this exhibit’s Title Page * For One Frame exhibits it is best to show material on the Title Page. CANEJ

29. Philatelic Item or Map • Best The exhibitor has freedom to choose a representative (sequential) item for the title page. CANEJ

30. Philatelic Item or Map • Flawed WHAT IS THE FLAW HERE? • APS guidelines differ from FIP rules in a couple of important ways for title pages. • The best choice for a competitive exhibit is to use a relevant (sequential) philatelic item on the title page of a philatelic subject exhibit. CANEJ

31. Philatelic Item or Map • Flawed • Flag of Guatemala in non-philatelic • Not a good choice for a macrophily exhibit • APS guidelines differ from FIP rules in a couple of important ways for title pages. • The best choice for a competitive exhibit is to use a relevant (sequential) philatelic item on the title page of a philatelic subject exhibit. CANEJ

32. Other Optional Elements • Explain methods used to identify special items: mats or frames; colored dots; annotations • These can be used to support “Importance" statements CANEJ

33. Other Optional Elements Additional viewer information: • Why the subject matter is important – historically, philatelically, politically, etc. • How rarity is determined/quantified – unique, five or fewer, etc. • How personal research is noted throughout It is not enough to call attention to an item’s special status; rarity is best shown in terms of the quantity extant. CANEJ

34. One Frame vs. Multi-frame • One frame exhibits are small, so it is best is to begin the subject of the exhibit on the title page. • Following this practice, the exhibitor is forced to reconsider (omit?): • using large pieces • maps / graphics • lengthy narratives • excessively detailed outlines CANEJ

35. One Frame vs. Multi-frame All pages of a One Frame exhibit are seen at once, so often there is no Outline of Development or a very simple one. Precursor archive material The exhibit of the stationery issues begins here CANEJ

36. One Frame vs. Multi-frame The Purpose, scope and statement of organization followed by a brief background introduce the exhibit subject The exhibit begins here Archive material CANEJ

37. Title Pages - Summary • Ideal elements for the Title Page, which is part of Treatment • Title that clearly represents exhibit purpose and scope • Statement of Purpose and Scope, Type (treatment) of exhibit • An Outline of Development • Optional elements for Title Pages • narratives and philatelic items and maps / graphics • Importance of the exhibit • how rarity is identified • how research/personal study are identified CANEJ

38. Title Pages – Summary • the exception that applies to Thematic exhibits • Separate Plan Page (ATA/FIP rules, not APS) • For One Frame exhibit Title Pages • Real estate is precious if there are only 16 pages: be brief • preferably include a philatelic or non-philatelic item in sequence with the exhibit CANEJ

39. The Synopsis- Information for the jury • A separate document that answers: • Why this is an important subject to study • Why the type of exhibit Treatment was chosen • Special Challengesputting the exhibit together • How material and information was gathered • How rarity and special items will be indicated • Key references that should be available to the jury • Best format: use the categories on the EEF • Date the document! CANEJ

40. The Synopsis (newspaper layout example) CANEJ

41. The Synopsis (graphics layout example) CANEJ

42. The Synopsis (Thematic Example) Important to state scope if not in Title Tell how the story unfolds Give a sense of how much research and personal effort went into the exhibit For thematically organized exhibits, tell how you document the philatelic aspects of items distinct from the thematic documentation Exhibitors should limit references and annotate each. Get credit for what you have written, too. CANEJ

43. Resources • APS Manual of Philatelic Judging and Exhibiting, 7th ed. • APS self-study PowerPoint presentations (various) • AAPE web site, “Exhibits Online” & “Title Page Awards” • AAPE book The Path to GOLD • AAPE magazine The Philatelic Exhibitor and CDs “Best of TPE” • Many other specialty societies feature on-line exhibits e.g., APS, ATA, Collectors Club of Chicago, UPSS, Exponet Exhibits CANEJ

44. Questions? Comments? CANEJ