The Library History Buff
Promoting the appreciation, enjoyment, and preservation of library history
Library Philatelic Exhibits
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".
Other Exhibits
"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.
Exhibit awards for my ten frame display exhibit that is constantly evolving
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.
For exhibit titled: "America's Public Libraries and Their Forerunners"
Rocky Mountain Stamp Show 2009
Gold Medal/Award
For exhibit titled: "Evolution of the American Public Library"
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
Minnesota Stamp Expo 2008
Gold Medal/Award
Award for Best Americana Exhibit
For exhibit titled: "America's Libraries 1731-1920"
St. Louis
Stamp Expo 2007
Gold Medal
Best Display Exhibit
MILCOPEX 2006
Gold Medal
William J. Ulhein Award for Best Americana Exhibit
AAPE
Creativity in Philatelic Exhibiting Medal
American Philatelic Society
StampShow 2006 (Chicago)
Gold Medal
For exhibit titled: "America's Libraries"
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
American Philatelic
Society StampShow 2005 (Grand Rapids,
MI)
Gold Medal
For exhibit titled: "The Story of America's Libraries"
MILCOPEX 2004
Gold Medal
William J. Ulhein Award for
Best Americana Exhibit
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
MILCOPEX
2003
Vermeil Medal
American Association
of Philatelic Exhibitors (AAPE)
Award of Honor
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.
This site created and maintained
by
Larry T. Nix
Send comments or questions to
nix@libraryhistorybuff.org
Last updated: 06-01-09
© 2005-2009 Larry T. Nix
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