Competitions

Information for Competitors

1. The Inter Society competitions (9 sheet) are held at the MPF Spring Convention.
2. The Individual competitions (16 sheet) are held at the MPF Autumn Convention
3. At both Conventions there are the following classes (see below for descriptions):
   1. Traditional Stamps
   2. Postal History
   3. Aerophilately
   4. Thematics
   5. Postcards
   6. Open Class - This class can be anything including ephemera etc. however there must be a minimum of 50% Philatelic material.
4. The entries should be COPIES of your actual sheets. This is to allow for pre-judging, and the lack of need for security at the Convention itself.
5. The Entries should be sent to the MPF Conventions Officer (look in the New Midlander for entry forms). Entries may be collected from the MPF Conventions Officer at the end of the day of the competition. If the competitor or a colleague is not present, they may be returned if a stamped addressed envelope is supplied.
6. Competitors may only enter one entry in each category
7. A Judge or Judges will be appointed by the MPF Conventions Officer. The Judge(s) decision is final.
8. All competitors received a certificate and some classes have a trophy which the winner may keep for one year. The cost engraving of the winner’s name is up to each Competitor/Society. The marks from the Judge(s) are available for entrants to see.
9. These trophies must be returned to the MPF Trophies Officer one month before the next year’s Convention
10. Where a photocopy or other reproduction is shown within a competition entry, it must be reduced or enlarged by at least 25%. Where a copy of part of a cover or stamp is shown actual size, it must be clearly labelled as a copy.

Judges

The Judges, whose decisions are final, will consist of nationally accredited Judges. Should they decide that an exhibit has been wrongly classified, they have the discretion to transfer it to another more appropriate Class. No correspondence will be entered inton on the judging. Awards will depend on the points awarded by the Judges.

Any attempt by an exhibitor or other persons to influence the Judges' decisions will result in removal of the exhibit(s) concerned from the exhibition.

Classes (in line with ABPS and FIP)

I. Traditional

Traditional philately can embrace all aspects of philately. It is based on the collecting of postage stamps and related items, including materials related to the production of postage stamps. It also includes Telegraph, Railway and Local stamps.

II. Postal History

This class includes studies of the development of postal services, including the evolution of rates and routes, postal markings and marcophily. It is not normally advisable to include unused adhesives or unused postal stationery.

III. Aerophilately

This class is based on studies of the development and operation of airmail services and the material prepared for these services, both official and unofficial. It can also include exhibits of airmail stamps and their use.

IV. Thematic

This class is for entries based on a theme or a subject which is developed to a logical plan by the use of the widest range of appropriate stamps and other philatelic material. Revenue stamps may be included where no other philatelic material will convey the intended message. However, such material should be used sparingly.

V. Postcards

The Picture Postcard class is now fully accepted as a competitive class at FIP exhibitions. A picture postcard exhibit can have a geographical (topographical) treatment, including for example illustrations from a place or area, or it can be developed thematically. An event may be shown as a form of reportage, or the exhibit may have the photographer, the artist, the printer, the printing process or the material as the topic. Original thinking and creativity may also lead to different treatments of an exhibit. The emphasis is on the picture rather than on philatelic aspects of the card.

VI. Open

This class gives an exhibitor complete freedom to present an exhibit on any subject using up to 50% of non-philatelic items. The non-philatelic material must not be thicker than 5 mm so as to be able to fit into standard exhibition frames.

Evaluation System

The criteria and points available are as follows:

Classes I. Traditional, II. Postal History and III. Aerophilately

Class IV. Thematic Philately

Class V. Postcards

Class VI. Open

Awards - Minimum points required:

[Updated following agreement at the 2019 MPF Autumn Convention]