Guidelines for Postal Stationery Class Entries

The first page should be an introductory page that shows the concept and its development within the exhibit. It should have a clear beginning; a clear theme and a logical ending. Include references on this page.

Too much description or duplication of the title on the remaining pages is not advised, nor is duplication of philatelic content.

Choose your subject with care. Every sheet must count for marks. Non-philatelic material should be kept to a bare minimum in postal stationery.

Postal Stationery is a study of postal stationery cards, envelopes, wrappers etc., various types, printings, varieties of these issues and their uses.

Postal Stationery can either be printed with a stamp thereon, or plain, and can be printed by a government or in some cases by a private firm. Adhesive stamps on plain stationery are permissible, as also are additional adhesive stamps on printed stationery for changes in rate.

Items can be mint or used. Any mention of route, rate or postmark should be in connection with the reason for the issue, or the use of that particular item.

Rarity is not a judge of value but reflects the relative scarcity of such items.

Do not try to cover too large a period. Overcrowding by overlapping material on the sheet or overfilling the sheet constitutes poor presentation.

Vary your presentation, especially with postal cards that are all the same size. Where possible position one on a sheet and two on another. Regimentation is boring! Before mounting, set out your sheets on a table or on the floor to ensure that you achieve the best possible balance.

Use good, clean material wherever possible. Items in poor condition e.g. with damaged corners, spoil the overall appearance.

For Reply Cards, where possible use two cards, one each way, rather than photocopies. Wrappers are difficult to display, try to show the width or the length of the item as it is not usually possible to show both.

If using a typewriter or computer, it is better to use plain paper or the plain side of a sheet, as the quadrille lines of a sheet do not usually correspond with the typewriter or computer.