Society Competitions

The Society holds annual philatelic competitions open to all members. The competition is divided into a number of categories to encourage participation at all levels of experience, and the 'rules' are as simple as we can make them.

The Gordon Thorne Trophy is awarded to the best overall winning entry from either the sixteen or thirty-two sheet competitions. At the Committee’s discretion the two 16 sheet entries with the highest scores will qualify as the Society's entries in the Howard White Inter-Society Competition at HAMPEX.

Exhibits may be entered in any of the following philatelic classes: Aerophilately, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Revenues, Cinderella, Thematic, Traditional (stamps), Open (includes Social Philately) and Picture Postcards. Society Trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring 16 or 32 sheet entry in the following categories:

Competition Categories

The Sixteen and Thirty-two Sheet Competitions
1. The Sharman Trophy 16 or 32 sheets (including introductory page) of Picture Postcards.
2. The Fassnidge Plate 16 or 32 sheets (including introductory page) of Traditional stamps.
3. The Basil Owen Award 16 or 32 sheets (including introductory page) of Postal History.
4. The John Stockley Rose Bowl 16 or 32 sheets (including introductory page) in the Thematic class.
5. The Bob McDonald Trophy 16 or 32 sheets (including introductory page) in the Aerophilately class.
6. National Westminster Bank Trophy 16 or 32 sheets (including introductory page) in the Open class.
Single Sheet and Nine Sheet Competitions
1. The Marianne Trophy One single sheet entry in any philatelic class. No additional sheet for explanation is allowed. This competition will be judged by the Society members present.
2. The Adams Cup Nine sheets in any class entered by a member who has never won one of the Society's Sixteen Sheet Competitions.
3. The Vernon Junior Medal Up to 9 sheets in any class entered by a Junior Member (age limits in accordance with national rules).

Competition General Rules

Exhibit sheets should not exceed 250mm x 300mm (appx. 10" wide by 12" high).
Exhibitors shall only include their bona fide property in an exhibit.
All entries shall be suitably mounted and protected in a transparent display cover.
Each competitor must write his or her name on the back of each sheet as well as the number of the sheet indicating the order to be viewed.
If a photocopy of a philatelic item is used it must be reduced by at least 25% of actual size and labelled as a copy.
The Judges may transfer an entry to another class if they consider it appropriate.
A full copy of the rules, procedures and marking protocol for each class will be available from the Competition Secretary for all entrants.
The winning entries (only) in any of the 16 or 32 sheet competitions cannot re-enter in any class for 3 years from the date of winning, regardless of how many pages have been changed.
No entry fee will be required. No sheets entered in one competition can qualify for another competition.
The Committee and Competitions Secretary may make minor changes to these rules from time to time in order to comply with changes at Federation and National Level.

General Hints and Tips

Hints and tips concerning entries for competitive display may be found on the Hampshire Philatelic Federation Competitions website together with more information about philatelic classes.

The resources listed below may be helpful:

Workshop: "How to write up for competition" by Kevin Chard. The slides are available here.
Talk: "Writing up for Display and Competition" by Julian Jones. Slides available here.