Ann Arbor Stamp Club - Member Spotlight

Create your Exhibit

How to Start your Exhibit

My Story

Structural Aspects of an Exhibit

Marshall MI Postal Museum

When acquiring stamp albums, especially through organizations like the AASC, it's crucial to assess the condition and rarity of the stamps included. Start by inspecting the album for any signs of damage such as water stains or missing pages, which can significantly affect the overall value. Additionally, research the historical context and origin of the stamps to better understand their significance and potential future value. Keeping a detailed inventory and using protective sleeves can preserve your collection's integrity over time, making it a rewarding hobby and investment.<h3>Tips for Effective Stamp Album Management</h3>Organize your albums by theme, country, or era to enhance your collecting experience and facilitate easier access. Regularly update your knowledge through philatelic catalogs or online databases to identify new acquisitions or rare finds. Networking with other collectors or joining philatelic clubs can also provide valuable insights and opportunities to trade or purchase unique stamps. By staying informed and methodical, you can enrich your collection and enjoy the rich history each stamp represents.

Close-Up of New Year Themed Postage Stamps

Maximizing the Value of Your Stamp Album Acquisitions: A Practical Guide

The philatelic world is seeing exciting developments in 2024 with increasing interest in thematic and digital stamp collections. Collectors are expanding their focus beyond traditional postage stamps to include limited edition releases and augmented reality (AR) stamps that offer interactive experiences. This trend reflects a broader shift towards blending technology with classic collecting, attracting younger generations to the hobby. Additionally, the market for vintage stamps is stabilizing, with particular demand for well-preserved albums from the mid-20th century.<h3>Impact of Technology on Stamp Collecting</h3>Digital platforms and blockchain technology are revolutionizing how collectors authenticate and trade stamps. Online marketplaces provide greater accessibility to rare items worldwide, while AR stamps introduce a new dimension of engagement. For those involved in AASC Stamp Album Acquisitions, staying abreast of these trends is essential to maximize the value and appeal of their collections. Embracing innovation ensures that philately remains a vibrant and evolving pastime in the modern era.

XR Expo 2019: exhibition for virtual reality (vr), augmented reality (ar), mixed reality (mr) and extended reality (xr)

Emerging Trends in Philately: What Collectors Are Watching in 2024

At Philatelic Exhibiting, each day begins with careful evaluation of incoming stamp albums from various sources, including AASC acquisitions. The team meticulously catalogs each item, verifying authenticity and condition to ensure quality for collectors. This behind-the-scenes process involves both expert knowledge and a passion for philately, as staff members handle rare and historically significant pieces. Their work not only preserves valuable collections but also helps connect collectors with unique stamps that tell stories of the past.<h3>The Expertise Driving Our Acquisition Process</h3>Experts at Philatelic Exhibiting employ a range of tools, from magnification devices to specialized catalogs, to assess each album thoroughly. They also engage with the philatelic community to stay informed about market conditions and rare finds. This deep expertise underpins every acquisition, ensuring that clients receive albums that meet high standards of authenticity and quality. The dedication of the team is what makes Philatelic Exhibiting a trusted name in stamp collecting circles in Ann Arbor and beyond.

My current desk setup as of 2016. I am a wedding and portrait photographer and have always believed the space you do work in has a big impact on the quality and kind of work you complete. I have been refining my workspace since I was in high school and I am really happy where it is now!

Behind the Scenes at Philatelic Exhibiting: A Day in the Life of Stamp Acquisition

This section of our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.annarborstampclub.org">AASC website</a> is here to help get you started in philatelic exhibiting by creating a structured, thematic display of stamps, postal history, and related items to tell a specific story or demonstrate specialized knowledge. These are typically shown in protective frames at competitive stamp shows and judged on rarity, condition, and presentation.

Professional evaluation of your stamp albums to determine their market value and rarity.

Stamp Album Appraisal

Helping you find and acquire specific stamp albums to complete or enhance your collection.

Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. "5c Bridge at Niagara Falls block of six" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1901. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/1eadb720-c625-012f-b6a0-58d385a7bc34

Custom Album Sourcing

Providing insights and advice on current trends and values in the stamp collecting market.

Stamp Market Consultation

<a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/create-your-exhibit">Create your Exhibit</a>Here you'll find almost everything you need to know to create your first exhibit or tweak your current one.Our next Exhibiting Meeting is Monday, July 27 at 6PM - AADL Mallett Creek Branch/Birch Room.

Getting Started

Advanced Strategies and Tips

Links to Examples on the Web

Philatelic Exhibiting Services

KH, CM, CA, US-CZ, ZA-CA, CV, KY, CF, PL-ML, LK, TD, CL, CN-IM, CN, TW, CO, KM, CD-FS, BE-CD, CD, CK, CR, CT, HR, CU, CY, CZ, DE

Gallery

Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. "4c Electric Automobile block of six" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1901. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/1b3ff9c0-c625-012f-6862-58d385a7bc34

close up, bokeh, macro, blur, blurred background, close focus, stamps, postage stamps, uk postage stamps, 2nd class, second class, second class postage, postal service, letters, 


Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. "Album Page" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1847. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/d609d9e0-c623-012f-e869-58d385a7bc34

While I started collecting when I was 10yrs old, I have only recently in the past 3-4yrs taken philately up seriously and consider myself an intermediate-level collector. However, I have been bitten by the Exhibit-Bug and am just having a good time taking my collecting to the next level.

Ed Arias

AASC Exhibit Chair

(Sample Bio) James Mitchell specializes in customer relations and appraisal services, providing knowledgeable guidance and personalized support throughout the stamp acquisition process.

Name

Team

Ann Arbor Stamp Club made acquiring my stamp albums a seamless and enjoyable experience. Their expertise and customer service are unmatched!

I highly recommend AASC Division of Exhibiting for anyone looking to take their collecting to the next level. They are knowledgeable and trustworthy.

Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

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<h3>Exhibiting is often considered the "ultimate" step in stamp collecting, taking the collector from&nbsp;...</h3><h4>private enjoyment → public display and evaluation</h4>... although exhibiting can still be a personal and enjoyable exercise in philately without any “overbearing” sense of competition.Thus, there are rules regarding research, presentation, and rarity to adhere by via …<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://stamps.org/Portals/0/Judging-Manual_1.pdf">APS Manual of Philatelic Judging and Exhibiting</a>This publication contains all the definitions and technical aspects of creating a philatelic exhibition.<h4>Judging</h4>Judges score exhibits on a variety of categories including story development and philatelic material:<ul><li>Treatment – Title, plan, development,balance, comprehensiveness</li><li>Importance – Subject and philatelic</li><li>Knowledge – Selection, correctness</li><li>Study &amp; Research – Analysis, evaluation, etc</li><li>Rarity – Challenge, difficulty of acquisition</li><li>Condition – relative to quality obtainable</li><li>Presentation – General layout, distractions</li></ul><ul><li>and medals and ribbons often awarded for the top exhibits …<img src="https://cdn.soloist.ai/662a7d45-0b48-41ee-8cee-f80784cc6555/3ec92a77-57dc-4099-a674-f9b197197f68_2048x2048.webp" data-image-fit="fill"></li></ul>The primary purpose is to showcase one’s knowledge and research, share a passion for a subject, and receive expert feedback.Key aspects of philatelic exhibiting include:<ul><li>Philatelic knowledge and Research<ul><li>A successful exhibit tells a cohesive story—historical, thematic, or technical—with a clear beginning, middle, and end, rather than just showing a collection of items.</li></ul></li><li>Treatment and Presentation<ul><li>•Exhibits are displayed on pages within frames, typically focusing on specific types like postal history, thematic/topical, or traditional philately.</li></ul></li></ul><a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/where-and-how-to-exhibit">Next</a>

The "What" of Philatelic Exhibiting

<h3>"Where" can I present my exhibit ??</h3>There are several levels of philatelic exhibiting and nearly every stamp show will have a philatelic exhibition but this presentation will focus on exhibiting at our annual November <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://soloist.ai/aapex2026">AAPEX stamp show</a>.•If you are interested in pursuing to create and present your exhibit at the 2026 AAPEX, you will need to submit an entry form by Oct 14th so that your exhibit can be listed in our 2026 AAPEX Program.•Please find the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ke2jk05GUE_dL_0TmnzFm7EzSsAq3Zvl/view?usp=drive_link">AAPEX 2026 Exhibiting Prospectus here</a> for the entry form and details.•AASC Members interested in exhibiting, also meet about once a month to work on their exhibits at the AADL Mallett Creek Branch.<h3>“How” to Start Exhibiting</h3>Now we finally get to the subject of just HOW do we get that IDEA for one’s exhibit ?? … and THIS is where the FUN starts !!!<h4>TELL A STORY</h4>Developing a good philatelic exhibit starts with identifying a specific, focused story you can tell using stamps, covers, and postal history. The best ideas balance your personal passions with the availability of philatelic material.<ul><li>Take a look at your stamp collection and decide<ul><li>What kind of material do I have?</li><li>What stamps do I like to collect?</li><li>What are my favorite stamps?<ul><li>A certain country? A certain topic or function of stamps?</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul>What subject do I find fascinating? a hobby, profession, or favorite historical person or event ?Then combine this passion with available material and start narrowing down that broad interest into a specific, story-driven topic.<h4>Start with Personal Passion (Topical/Thematic)</h4>•Identify Personal Interests, a Hobby or Profession: A chemist might focus on pharmacy stamps, while a music lover could focus on composers. If you love typewriters, space, birds, or chess, start there.•Look at Your Own Collection: Identify a "topical" or group of stamps that already share a common theme. For example, items that make you smile, such as animals, space, sports, or transportation, and pick a specific, manageable sub-theme (e.g., instead of "Birds," choose "Parrots" or "Birds of Prey").•Pick a "First Time" Topic: Explore "what's first" in a topic, such as the first stamp to feature a typewriter.•Start with a Story: The best ideas are those that fascinate the collector and offer a unique, visual narrative rather than just an accumulation of stamps. The goal is to engage viewers emotionally and share a narrative, such as the development of a technology or a personal travel experience.<h4>Narrow the Scope</h4><ul><li>Avoid Overly Broad Topics<ul><li>Instead of "The Olympics," focus on "The 1936 Berlin Olympics" or "Running, Throws, and Jumps".</li><li>Instead of "birds," focus on "penguins of the Antarctic" or "owls of the world." A specific theme is easier to manage, particularly for a first exhibit.</li></ul></li><li>Clothesline Exhibits:<ul><li>Clothesline exhibits are often recommended to start with a 4-page (i.e. a “clothesline” of 4-pages across a frame) or even a one-page exhibit to tell a complete, concise story without getting overwhelmed.</li></ul></li><li>Focus on the Journey:<ul><li>Thematic exhibits should follow a chronological, or logical flow, such as "The History of the Typewriter on Stamps“.</li></ul></li><li>Identify a Hidden Story (Traditional/Postal History):<ul><li>Follow a Single Item: Select a single, interesting cover or stamp and research its story—where it went, why it was sent, and how it was used.</li><li>Focus on a Specific Postmark: Collect a particular cancellation type, such as "socked-on-the-nose" cancellations.</li><li>Study a Rate or Route: Choose a specific postal rate, rate period, or route to document.</li></ul></li><li>Leverage Available Resources<ul><li>Join a Study Unit: Join a group like the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://americantopical.org/">American Topical Association </a>(ATA) or a specific study unit (e.g. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.graphics-stamps.org/">Graphics Philately Association</a>) to find checklists, ideas, and mentors.</li><li>Look at Old Exhibitions: Review <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://stamps.org/Community/Exhibiting">the American Philatelic Society</a> for inspiration from past award-winning, one-frame exhibits to understand how they told their stories</li></ul></li></ul><h4>Identify Potential Material</h4><ul><li>Go Beyond Stamps:<ul><li>A high-scoring exhibit includes varied philatelic material, such as postmarks, covers (especially First Day Covers), postal stationery, trade cards (ads) and postcards.</li></ul></li><li>Include Rare/Unique Items:<ul><li>Seek out items that show a high degree of difficulty to obtain (not necessarily expensive), such as proofs, essays, and original artists' drawings.</li></ul></li><li>Consult Checklists:<ul><li>Use resources like the American Topical Association (ATA) checklists to see what exists for your topic.</li></ul></li></ul><h4>Create and Refine the Initial Structure</h4><ul><li>Develop a Title: Create an unambiguous, clear title that explains the purpose and scope of your story.</li><li>Create an Outline: Write a brief plan detailing the sequence or progression of the story, which can be included on the title page.<ul><li>Create a logical outline of your story, identifying how you will tell it from beginning to end.</li></ul></li><li>Create a Prototype Page: Start by creating a one-page exhibit to get a feel for the process</li></ul>Key Advice: Make sure the subject is something you love, as you will be spending a lot of time researching it, and remember that an exhibit is a "careful selection of choice pieces," not your entire collection.<h4>Tell a Story</h4><ul><li>Telling a compelling story involves transforming a collection of stamps and/or other philatelic materials into a structured, engaging narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end.<ul><li>It requires selecting items that support the theme, providing concise, informative text, and organizing the material logically to guide the viewer through the story</li></ul></li><li>Try this→read the text of your exhibit pages without any stamps.<ul><li>If the text tells a story and is engaging = good exhibit<ul><li>Read your exhibit pages out loud to hear how it sounds (esp if it’s been rewritten many times)</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>If the text reads like a catalog or a table of contents without text = not good</li></ul><a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/create-your-exhibit">Go Back</a> <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/my-story">Next</a>

The "Where & How" to Exhibit

I’ve collected various countries with which I identify. Initially, I thought of a comparative national chronology between Argentina and the USA … but they are widely different and nothing really stuck out for me or it was too overwhelming.Then I won a collection in an auction and discovered US Revenue stamps. Initially I focused on the beginnings of Revenue stamps (i.e. Civil War era, 1862-1875) but it also became a bit overwhelming. I then found that U.S. Revenue stamps were reinstated for the Spanish-American War (1898-1902) and this period was a bit more interesting and exciting to me and more manageable, i.e. while the Civil War almost destroyed America, the Spanish-American War turned the USA into a global power.So, my story started as a chronological review of US Revenue stamps of the 1898-1902 period:<ul><li>starting with the initial overprints of regular issues→new designs, including the popular “battleship” stamps</li><li>to the various anti-counterfeiting paper and separation methods</li><li>and finally to the private die proprietary stamps.</li></ul>I had the vast majority of the stamps and supplemented these with examples of documentary stamp use and precanceled documentary, proprietary (including the transition of some businesses to private die proprietary) issues, and even a trade card (ephemera) of one of the businesses.It made for a good story with a :<ul><li>strong beginning - the sinking of the US battleship, the USS Maine, quickly lead to the start of war between Spain and the United States (The Spanish-American War)</li><li>a relatively strong middle - several methods had to be used to thwart counterfeiting</li><li>and perhaps a somewhat lingering end- which could have highlighted the war's conclusion, the transition of territories, and/or the long legislative legacy of the 1898 War Revenue Act.</li></ul>But it took up 2 – 16 pages frames so I was happy with it at the time.<h4>My “New Story” ...</h4>Aimed to enhance the "lingering end" of my initial exhibit. After doing much research on the Spanish-American Era (1898-1902), my new story transitions to the impact that war had on certain:<ul><li>personalities<ul><li>Theodore Roosevelt, the 36th US President</li></ul></li><li>territories acquired by USAduring this period<ul><li>Cuba – provisional stamps and Roosevelt/Battle of San Juan Hill commemoratives</li><li>Puerto Rico – provisional stamps</li><li>Hawaii – provisional stamps and Roosevelt precancels</li><li>Philippines – provisional stamps and Battle of Manila Bay</li><li>Guam - US overprints</li></ul></li><li>events<ul><li>Battle of San Juan Hill, Cuba</li><li>Battle of Manila Bay, Philippines</li><li>building of the Panama Canal (1904-1914) and the Canal Zone</li></ul></li></ul>… with the backdrop of how these things resulted in the USA becoming international super power.<a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/where-and-how-to-exhibit">Go Back</a> <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/structural-aspects-of-an-exhibit">Next</a>

How I Created "My Story"

USPS Metz MI PO Store Front 1900s with 
Mike Schragg, Marshall MI Postmaster-Retired & current Marshall MI Postal Museum Curator

USPS Harrieta MI PO Store Front and rural carrier case

Michigan City Precancel Bureau Electroplates

USPS Rural Delivery Sled & Curtis Jenny model

USPS Postal Museum - Marshall, MI (Mike Schragg, curator)

Classic and old stamps from a family stamp collection.

Close-Up of Collectible American Postage Stamps

Selos antigos Persas Persian Stamps Old persian stamps Philately

Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library. "1c Fast Lake Navigation block of four" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1901. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/107d7990-c625-012f-96d6-58d385a7bc34

An exhibit is built logically to guide the viewer through a specific story or subject area, generally organized into a "beginning, middle, and end“.<ul><li>The Plan (Outline): A critical component, usually included on the title page, outlining the structure and scope of the exhibit. It should be a logical and concise storyline or table of contents.<ul><li>Usually displayed on the introductory page, it breaks the exhibit into an organized sequence of chapters and sub-chapters, acting as a blueprint that guides viewers and judges from beginning to end.</li></ul></li><li>A well-crafted plan dictates how the story is told and determines how the exhibit is scored, especially in competitive disciplines. The plan's components and characteristics generally include<ul><li></li></ul></li><li>The Title Page: The first page that introduces the exhibit, defines its scope, and outlines the planned story.<img src="https://cdn.soloist.ai/662a7d45-0b48-41ee-8cee-f80784cc6555/36ee4364-7e02-4b67-8707-ae70fad54d57_2048x2048.webp" data-image-fit="fit"></li><li>Exhibit Framework: Exhibits are arranged in multiples of 16-page sets, with each set fitting a standard 4 x 4 frame, often arranged in single-frame (16 pages) or multi-frame (32, 48, 64 etc pages) layouts.</li><li>Storyline &amp; Development: The exhibit must flow logically. In thematic exhibits, this requires demonstrating a "deep dive" into a subject, while in postal history, it may require a chronological or geographical progression.</li><li>Balance: A crucial element where the story is balanced, with similar page extensions given to different chapters, rather than focusing too much on one area.</li></ul>Technical Aspects of an Exhibit<ul><li>Page Layout &amp; Presentation: Pages should be clean and balanced, often using a "pyramid effect" to display items visually. Ample margins (typically a minimum of 1.5 cm are required, and pages should not be overly crowded with text or material.</li><li>Write-Up (Text): Text should be clear, concise, and directly relevant to the item displayed, often placed immediately under or beside the item. It should explain the philatelic significance of the item (e.g., rarity, rate) or its thematic connection.</li></ul>Mounting Techniques:<ul><li>Protection: Items should be mounted using safe, non-acidic materials. Clear, protective mounts (like Scott or Showgard mounts) are standard for protecting stamp gum and creasing.</li><li>Windowing: A technique using slits, corners, or full windows to display only the most important parts of a cover or document to save space and focus attention.</li><li>Photocopies: Used sparingly to show the reverse side of an item or for layout purposes, but should typically be distinct (e.g. 25% different in size) from the original material.</li><li>Types of Material (Elements):<ul><li>Philatelic: Includes stamps (definitive, commemorative), booklets, covers (commercially used), cancellations, and postal stationery.</li><li>Non-Philatelic (Open Philately): Includes related ephemera (maps, photographs, documents) that are not &gt;5 mm thick, allowing for richer story context.</li></ul></li><li>Variety and Rarity: Judges look for a wide variety of philatelic elements, including, for example, watermarks, perfins, or postal stationery varieties, rather than just stamps.</li></ul><a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/my-story">Back</a> <a target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/">Home</a>