America

In 2003, I started exhibiting portions of my collection of postal librariana at stamp shows. I have usually exhibited at two or three of the World Series of Philately Stamp Shows each year. These shows are sanctioned by the American Philatelic Society (APS). Exhibits at these shows are evaluated by a panel of judges certified by the APS. I normally exhibit in the Display Division which allows the inclusion of of some artifacts that are not postal in nature. Exhibits are placed in frames (see photo to the left) that hold sixteen 8 1/2" by 11" pages. Exhibits can range in size from 1 frame to 10 frames.

In 2008 I made a major revision of my primary exhibit which was previously entitled "America's Libraries 1731-1920". I called the revised exhibit "The Evolution of the American Public Library". The new version of the exhibit allowed me to tell a fuller story of the American public library by eliminating material relating to other types of libraries. In 2009 after more changes, I exhibited at the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show in Denver. This time the exhibit was titled "America's Public Libraries and Their Forerunners". My primary exhibit has also previously been exhibited under the title "America's Libraries" and "The Story of America's Libraries".

"America's Philatelic Libraries and Museums", 3 frame display division exhibit
Shown non-competitively at the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show in Denver in 2009
Shown non-competitively at AmeriStamp Expo 2010

"America's Presidential Libraries and Museums", 6 frame display division exhibit
Shown at AmeriStamp Expo 2010

I have also developed Illustrated Division (First Day Cover) philatelic exhibits. For more on these click here.

In 2009 I received the Diamond Award from the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors after receiving 10 gold medals for my exhibit in national competition. My thoughts on receiving the award appear at the end of this web page.

CHICAGOPEX 2008
Vermeil Award (award level between gold and silver)
AAPE Gold Award of Honor

MILCOPEX 2008 (Milwaukee's national stamp show)
Gold Medal/Award
American Philatelic Society Research Award
American Philatelic Congress Award

MILCOPEX 2006
Gold Medal
William J. Ulhein Award for Best Americana Exhibit
AAPE Creativity in Philatelic Exhibiting Medal

American Topical Association National Topical Stamp Show 2005
Gold Medal (the first Display Division exhibit to win gold at an ATA show)
American Philatelic Society 1900-1940 Medal of Excellence
American Philatelic Society Research Medal
American Philatelic Congress Award for Excellence

St. Louis Stamp Expo 2004
Vermeil Medal (Vermeil is the medal level between Gold and Silver)

CHICAGOPEX 2003
Gold Medal
American Philatelic Congress Award for Excellence
AAPE Creativity in Philatelic Exhibiting Medal
American Topical Association First Place Medal

American Topical Association National Topical Stamp Show 2003
Vermeil Medal
Best Americana Exhibit Award

Thoughts about Receiving the Diamond Award by Larry T. Nix
June 8, 2009

There has been some controversy over the creation of the Diamond Award by the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors. It has been likened to just another incentive for “mug hunting”. However when I was notified that I would become the 35th recipient of this award, it was personally extremely gratifying. The first glimmer of the idea of philatelic exhibiting occurred to me in 1995. Eight years later, in 2003 after the creation of the Display Division, I finally had the courage to put together my first exhibit. It was entitled “The Story of America’s Libraries” and it was entered in National Topical Stamp Show 2003 in Denver as a display exhibit. It received a vermeil award, barely. Six years later, at the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show 2009 in Denver, I received my tenth gold award which qualified me for the Diamond Award. My exhibit was now titled “America’s Public Libraries and Their Forerunners”. During that six year period, my exhibit underwent major revisions each year requiring hundreds of hours of effort on my part. Generally, the exhibit’s focus was narrowed over the six year period so that my exhibit which started out dealing with the entirety of America’s library history ended up focusing only on public libraries and their forerunners. With changes in focus, treatment, and material included, each new version of the exhibit could be and was viewed more or less favorably by the judges. I was willing to take the risk of receiving a lower medal level because revising the exhibit provided me with more personal challenge and creative opportunity. Although there were setbacks, I have achieved far more recognition for my efforts than I ever expected. The Diamond Award will represent different levels of effort and accomplishment for those who apply for it and some will not bother to apply even though qualified. To me the Diamond Award represents the culmination of years of collecting and untold hours of exhibit preparation, and I consider it a high honor to receive it from AAPE.