Guatemala: The Quetzal Air Mails
of 1935 -1939
(Click on the Stamp to see the Exhibit)
My Experience Exhibiting At Stamp Show 2004
by Jaime Marckwordt
(Taken from an article originally published in The California Philatelist, October 2004.)
The name of my one frame exhibit was "Guatemala: The Quetzal Air Mails of 1935 - 1939". My decision for exhibiting this frame had two reasons; the first was to show a general philatelic study of the material. The second reason was a more personal one: my grandfather Carlos Marckwordt was a stamp designer for Guatemala and the one who introduced the concept idea of these art deco style stamps.
I at first thought it would be really fun to display my grandfather's stamp designs, until I received my confirmation stating that I had been accepted to enter my one frame at the APS STAMP SHOW in Sacrament this last August. I then realized that my information displayed was to be seen by all visiting the biggest show of the year in the United States. I had put myself in a pickle when I sent in my synopsis (a letter describing the material's intent) for the judges to review. "I will be showing postal history, printing method, errors and all issues represented by single mints". How was I to put all these factors together and make it fit in only 16 pages and still make a story with a beginning, middle and end? Also, I was a little discouraged since I was introducing original research that had not been previously studied. It put me in a state of panic for a moment knowing that my write-up had to be accurate and true, with resources to back up that information. All this along with the fact that this was my first time exhibiting.
Solving the problem, I rearranged over and over again, adding and subtracting material and text until it flowed, focusing on text, fonts, key words, outline borders, photos and type from paper before going to the philatelic material. I will never look at an exhibit the same again. I now have a greater appreciation for any exhibit that I view.
The best part of my exhibiting experience came from the people I met at the show. I enjoyed sharing ideas as I learned from other exhibitors. I feel very fortunate to have displayed my grandfather's material, as this would have been fine in itself. But to receive an award was an extra treat, and I feel privileged to have been so honored. Peter McCann (former APS President) who was present at the time to see what my frame had won, said "You won a vermeil!", and I replied, like a first time exhibitor, "Is that good?" Peter's reply was "Yes, that's very good" (chuckling).
I recommend exhibiting highly - the return is greater than can be imagined.
Jaime also subsequently entered his exhibit at WINEPEX, this time coming away with the prestigious Grand Award, the equivalent to the best in show. Congratulations, Jaime.