Special Regulations for the Evaluation of Postal History Exhibits at
F.I.P. Exhibitions
Article 1:

Competitive Exhibitions
In accordance with Article 1.4 of the General Regulations of the F.I.P. for the Evaluation ofCompetitive Exhibits at F.I.P. Exhibitions (GREV), these Special Regulations have beendeveloped to supplement those principles with regard to Postal History. Also refer to
Guidelines for judging a Postal History Exhibit.

Article 2:Competitive Exhibits
Postal History exhibits are classified under three sub-classes (ref GREV Article 2.3)
A. Postal History exhibits which contain material carried by, and related to, official, local or
private mails. Such exhibits generally emphasize routes, rates, markings, usages and otherpostal aspects, services, functions and activities related to the history of the development of
Postal Services.
B. Marcophily (Postmarks) exhibits showing classifications and/or studies of postal
markings related to official, local or private mails on covers, adhesive stamps and otherpostal items.
C. Historical, Social and Special Studies exhibits which examines postal history in the
broader sense and the interaction of commerce and society with the postal system (refer
examples in Article 3.2).
Besides these categories all Postal History exhibits are classified and judged in three time
periods.
1. Up to 1875 (pre GPU)
2. From 1875 – 1945
3. After 1945.
Each exhibit fits in to the period where it starts or where its main contents lies.

Article 3:
3.1

Principles of Exhibit Composition
Postal History exhibits (sub-classes 2A & 2B) consists of used covers and letters, used postal
stationery, used postage stamps, and other postal documents so arranged as to illustrate abalanced plan as a whole or to develop any aspect of postal history.
Examples of postal history (sub-classes 2A & 2B) subjects include:
1. Pre-adhesive postal services
2. The development of local, regional, national or international postal services
3. Postal rates
4. Routes for transportation of mails
5. Postal markings (Marcophily) - as described in Article 2B.
6. Military mail, field post, siege mail, POW, civil and military internee camp mail7. Maritime mail and/or inland waterway mail8. Railway mail9. All kinds of Travelling Post Offices
10. Disaster mail11. Disinfected mail12. Censorship mail13. Postage due mail14. Automation of the mails
15 Forwarding agents markings
16 Official mail, Free Frank mailA Postal History exhibit (sub-classes 2A & 2B) may contain maps, prints, decrees andsimilar associated materials. Such items must have direct relation to the chosen subject and tothe postal services described in the exhibit (ref. GREV, Article 3.4).
3.2

3.3

Historical, Social and Special Studies (sub-class 2C) exhibits would include material developedby commerce and society for use in the postal system and may include non-philatelicmaterial where relevant to the subject of the exhibit. The non-philatelic material should beincorporated into the exhibit in a balanced and appropriate manner in such a way that it not
overwhelms the philatelic material.
Examples of Historical, social and special studies include:
1. Telegram services
2. Greeting cards (including Valentines)
3. Illustrated, Pictorial commercial envelopes used in a postal system.
4. Studies of the effect of the postal system on commerce, society and industry.
5. Historical, local and/or regional studies.
6. Studies related to an event or historical landmark
All exhibits under sub-class 2C must be capable of being exhibited in standard exhibition
frames.
The plan or concept of all sub-classes of postal history exhibits shall be clearly explained in
an introductory statement (ref. GREV, Article 3.3).

Article 4:

Criteria for Evaluating Exhibits (ref. GREV, Article 4)
The importance of understanding a postal history exhibit can mean that more text is included
or that non-postal history or non-philatelic material is included as supporting documentation.
However, all text must be concise and clear and the inclusion of related non-postal history or
non-philatelic material must improve the understanding of the postal history subject and theattractiveness of the exhibit.

Article 5:
5.1

Judging of Exhibits
Postal History exhibits will be judged by the approved specialists in their respective fields
and in accordance with Section V. (Article 31-47) of GREX (ref. GREV, Article 5.1).
For Postal History and Marcophily exhibits the following relative terms are presented to leadthe jury to a balanced evaluation (ref. GREV, Article 5.2):

5.2

1. Treatment (20) and Philatelic Importance (10)
2. Philatelic and related Knowledge, Personal Study showing new results
3. Condition (10) and Rarity (20)
4. Presentation
Total

30
35
30
5
100

Historical, Social and Special Studies exhibits (sub-class 2C) will be evaluated using thefollowing relative terms in order to lead the jury to a balanced evaluation (ref. GREV, Article
5.2)
1. Treatment (20) and Importance (Philatelic 5 & Historical & Social aspects 5) 30
2. Philatelic, Historical & Social Knowledge, Personal Study and Research
35
3. Condition (10) and Rarity (20)30
4. Presentation
5
Total
100
All exhibits will be evaluated by allocating points for each of the above respective criteria.
These will be entered on score sheets of an approved format.
Article 6:
6.1
6.2

Concluding Provisions
In the event of any discrepancies in the text arising from translation, the English text shallprevail.
These Special Regulations for the Evaluation of Postal History Exhibits at F.I.P. Exhibitions

have been approved by the 70th F.I.P. Congress in Bucharest on the 28th June 2008. They
come into force on 1st January 2009 and apply to those exhibitions granted F.I.P. Patronage,
auspices or support, which will take place after 1st January 2009.

Guidelines for Judging a Postal History Exhibit
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
These revised Guidelines will come in force for exhibitions after 1st January 2009.
1.
1.1
1.2

1.3

2.
2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.
3.1

3.2
3.3

Introduction
These Guidelines give practical advice on how to apply the GREV (1.1-1.4) and the SREV
for Postal History exhibits approved by the 70th Congress at Bucharest, Romania.
The SREV for Postal History exhibits is the main framework for the general principles
determining what each sub-class of Postal History exhibit should contain, what it should
encompass and how it should be developed and presented. These Guidelines provide generalguidance for the judging of such exhibits, and are also intended to guide collectors exhibitingin the Postal History class.
Where a dispute arises between the level of authority of the GREV, SREV for Postal History
exhibits, and these Guidelines, the GREV has the highest order of authority, the SREV for
Postal History exhibits the second order of authority and these Guidelines rate below alldecisions made by the FIP Congress.
Scope of a Postal History Exhibit
A Postal History exhibit, by analysis of the philatelic objects within it, should show andexplain the development or operation of one or more postal services; the practical applicationof postal rules and regulations, and the study and classification of the use of philatelicmaterial and/or postal markings to illustrate the main subject of the exhibit. It applies toexhibits covering the start of organized postal services to those of the present day. Historical,
Social and Special Studies exhibits show the interaction of the postal system with society,events, commerce or the historical geography of an area and the effect the postal system has
on humanity and humanity on the postal system.
The SREV gives a list of possible subjects for a Postal History exhibit; these are, however,
not a limitation on the permissible subjects. It is possible to show the development of mails
between two or more areas, nations or continents; to show the development of postal services
in one country, one district or one single geographical locality. Alternatively the developmentof one special postal service can be shown - either world-wide, in a country or groups ofcountries or more locally.
Exhibits may be planned chronologically, geographically (e.g. by local/ national districts), bymode of transport/service, or by any other way that the exhibitor may feel appropriate toemploy.
Exhibitors should avoid large-scale duplication of similar items, large chronological gaps
where possible and the inclusion of expensive items not directly relevant to the subject
shown.
A general rule should be that a Postal History exhibit should show interesting material(Philatelic and where permitted non-philatelic) to the best advantage, and not appear to be amanuscript for a monograph.
Marcophily (Postmark) Exhibits
A Marcophily (Postmark) exhibit is concerned with the classification and study of postal
markings and obliterations, including manuscript markings, applied by official and private
postal services.
Marcophily exhibits may range from the pre-stamp era to the present day.
The study may cover the function, the period of use, place of use, colour, state or otherchanges over the course of time, or other aspects of postal markings. The subjects can include
marks of office or of services such as registration, maritime, traveling post offices,

3.4

3.5

3.6.

4.
4.1
4.2

4.3

5.
5.1
5.1.1

5.1.2

5.1.3

5.1.4

disinfection, instructional marks, and so on.
Examples of Marcophily exhibits include the study of repaired datestamps and methods ofshowing distances used by postal administrations.
A study of the different types of automatic postal coding marks used would be a Marcophilyexhibit; the introduction of automation by an Administration is, however, postal history.
A useful demonstration of knowledge and personal study of postal markings could include
the earliest and latest recorded dates of use, or identification of place of use, where this is notapparent from the wording or particular types (e.g. identifying the place of use of mute or
numeral cancellations).
Markings should be as clear as possible with all essential wording complete. Where
Marcophily exhibits are based on obliterating marks, they should be complete and preferably
on cover. Generally partial strikes should be avoided; so should unnecessary duplication
other than early and late dates to demonstrate the period of use. Any attempt to improve theappearance of a postal marking, subsequent to its being applied by the postal authorities,
shall be treated as being faked material. (See GREX Article 41.2)
Postage stamps displayed in a Marcophily exhibit are irrelevant except that they should be inreasonable condition. If used postage stamps are included in a Marcophily exhibit theevaluation will be based on the classification and study of the postal markings andobliterations on the stamps.
Introduction
All Postal History exhibits must contain an Introductory Statement showing the scope of theexhibit. The Title of the exhibit must correspond to the Introductory Statement.
The Title Page should be used as follows:
To give relevant general (Postal History) information on the subject being developed in the
exhibit.
To include a plan of how the structure of the exhibit is shown – chapters or sections etc.,
which have postal history relevance – rather than a “frame by frame” or “page by page”
description.
To indicate areas of personal investigation.
To include details of important documentary sources and references.
The judges will evaluate the material shown, and the associated text, in the exhibit against the
information included on the Title Page (Title, Introductory Statement, information relevant to
the whole exhibit; the way the exhibit is structured; research and references)
A well thought out Title Page will assist both the exhibitor and judges.
Judging Criteria
Treatment And Philatelic Importance
A total of 30 points can be given for treatment and philatelic importance. Up to 10 points
should be related to the relative philatelic importance and up to 20 points to the development,completeness and correctness of the material shown.
Under Sub-class 2C, 5 points are related to the historical and social importance of theexhibited subject.
When evaluating the treatment and importance of the exhibits, judges will look at the generaldevelopment of the subject, the completeness of the material shown in relation to the scopeof the exhibit and the relative philatelic, or historical significance of the subject shown, as
well as the difficulty in duplicating the exhibit. Exhibitors should ensure that their exhibit iscohesive and avoid combining largely unrelated subjects; such exhibits are likely to lose
marks under the treatment and importance criterion.
The importance of an exhibit will be gauged in relation to the general postal history of thecountry, area or subject shown, and to philately in general or importance to history, mankind
or geographic area with respect to sub-class 2C. It will usually be easier to adequately treat
and provide completeness to unimportant subjects than to important ones in the space
available.
For example, the postal history of a capital city may generally be more important than that ofa provincial town or a rural area. A postal rate study of postal agreements between two or5.1.5

5.2.
5.2.1
5.2.2

5.2.3

5.2.4
5.3
5.3.1

5.3.2

5.3.3

5.4
5.4.1

5.4.2

more states would generally be more important than the domestic internal rates of anindividual state over the same period. An exhibit (e.g. of rates) which spans the preadhesiveand postage stamp eras, but omits reference to the first postage stamp issues, will inevitably
be downgraded under importance and rarity. This is equally applicable to exhibits of allperiods which omit the most difficult sections.
The judges should also assess whether the material exhibited is relevant to the scope of theexhibit. With rare exceptions, unused stamps and unused postal stationery are irrelevant, andtheir inclusion must be justified. Maps, proclamations etc., used only if relevant to thedevelopment and documentation, should be restricted in number and the judges should in
principle only evaluate the philatelic material shown (GREV 3.1-3.2). The relevance, balance
and importance of non-philatelic material shown in Historical, Social and Special Studies
exhibits will be evaluated by the judges.
Philatelic and Related Knowledge, Personal Study and Research
A total of 35 points can be given for philatelic and related knowledge, personal study andresearch.
Philatelic and related knowledge is demonstrated by the items chosen for display and theirrelated comments. Personal study is demonstrated by the proper analysis of the items chosen
for display. For exhibits where obviously a great deal of real research (presentation of new
facts related to the chosen subject) has been done, a large proportion of the total points may
be given for this research. In cases where a subject has been significantly researchedpreviously, an exhibit showing new research and results should be rewarded especially.The
study and right interpretation of the already available knowledge should be considered too
under this criteria.
The proper evaluation of philatelic and related knowledge, personal study, and research will
be based on the relevant description of each philatelic object shown. Judges and exhibitors
should bear in mind that the information given should not overwhelm the philatelic material
shown. A well thought-out plan (see 4. Introductory Statement above) may avoid otherwise
lengthy descriptions later in the exhibit.
With regard to historical, social and special studies exhibits, the related historical and general
non-philatelic knowledge will be considered in assessing all aspects of these criteria.
Condition and Rarity
A total of 30 points can be given for condition and rarity. Up to 20 points should be allocatedto rarity and significance of the items shown and up to 10 points to the condition of the items
shown.
Rarity is directly related to the philatelic items shown and to the relative scarcity of materialof the type shown and in particular to the philatelic rarity (however, not the value), and theimportance of the total exhibit and its subject. e.g. a postal marking of a small town showing
the only example known, but of a standard type used throughout the country, may be of lesssignificance than a special type only used at that town.
As condition may vary considerably for postal history material, judges should bear in mind
the quality obtainable. On the whole, good condition, clean, legible postmarks and otherpostal markings as well as the general appearance of the objects, should be rewarded, while
poor quality should be penalized. When possible, covers and other objects carrying postage
stamps should show the stamps in good condition. e.g. an exhibit of wreck/air crash covers,
while the condition of the covers will by definition be poor, the postal markings applied uponsalvage should be as clear as possible.
Presentation
Presentation may be given up to 5 points. It should complement the treatment of the exhibit
by its general lay-out and clarity. Judges should evaluate the work put into the presentationfrom the point of view of how it facilitates the understanding and attraction of the exhibit tojudges and viewers alike.
Illustrations of relevant postal markings are necessary only when the originals are not clear
enough to the onlooker. When it is desirable to illustrate significant markings on the reverse
side of a cover, such markings can be either drawn or illustrated with a reproduction, such asa photograph or photocopy, as long as the reproduction is clearly seen as a reproduction to
onlookers. Coloured photographs or reproductions should be at least 25% different in size

from the original. Full size reproductions of single cancellations or part of a cover are
permitted. All material whether non-postal history or non-philatelic material, should beoriginal where possible.
6.
6.1
6.2

Conclusion
These guidelines do not answer every question an exhibitor or a judge may raise. Eachexhibit will have to be evaluated on its own merits.
In the event of any discrepancies in the text arising from translation, the English text shallprevail.

A copy to be sent to the FIP Secretariat.
FIP Secretariat
Biberlinstrasse 6
CH-8032 Zürich
Switzerland