WRITING UP A COLLECTION P R O C E S S R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S
Should you want to share a favourite collection with a group of collectors in a ‘formal’ manner, these are some process recommendations:
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Select a fairly simple and unambiguous title that suits and describes the collection/exhibit.
7 Include the documenting of philatelic as well as non-philatelic knowledge, which will add interest / value.
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6 Arrange material systematically
Rule of thumb is that one should show the best quality one can afford, and really know your subject and material.
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Write up should be concise, crisp and convey only the essential information.
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Tell a story with a beginning, middle part and end. Revise the beginning after you’ve completed the exhibit...
- one usually only becomes aware of your collection’s interest and depth after you’ve really studied it.
Attempt to show some commercially used items/covers throughout the exhibit.
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NOTE ‘ONE FRAMERS’ should not be an extract of pages from a bigger exhibit. It should tell the whole story on a frame of 16 pages.
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Don’t be too s e n t i m e n t a l , do not show a favourite item if it doesn’t really fit in, even if it is an expensive item!
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DO USE • ‘Chapter’ breaks • A l a rg e r font • Bold-up the font
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UNDERLINE • Avoid ‘padding’ - (duplication of items), just to fill a page. • Duplication of wording in the write-up should also be avoided. • Highlight rare items: ••• There are many ways to do it find an non-disturbing, attractive way. For instance, do not use RED, rather a subtle pastel colour ••• Try using different font • What information should feature on the title page: • Exhibit plan (to guide your treatment of the material) • Purpose and scope of the exhibit (what viewers should expect to find)
SEGMENT TITLES
Excessive space & • Provide a bibliography: ‘white’ spaces on viewers & especially judges want to know pages: try to ‘balance’ what research has been done all pages, slight • Whatever’s specified on the first page ‘overcrowding’ is should be found in the exhibit, that’s why the preferable to first page should be revised at the conclusion excessive ‘white space’. of the write-up • Present more detail information for the under standing of a segment of the exhibit at its start. Basically, a short introduction per segment •••Note that the write-up of some pages will take longer than others. •••Give yourself enough time and plan your time accordingly •••Draw up a roster to keep track of your progress
ENJOY, THIS IS PHILATHERAPY!!
Source: Pretoria Philatelic Society
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Layout by Janice Botes 2017
The SA Philatelist, December 2017.