Stamp exhibitions such as VII BRISPE 2024 use structured scoring systems to evaluate competitive exhibits. Judges assess multiple criteria, including research depth, rarity, condition, and presentation. Understanding how scoring works — with real-inspired examples from BRISPE — helps collectors prepare more effective exhibits and appreciate how medals are earned.
This guide explains how judges apply scoring at BRISPE using representative examples drawn from actual award-winning displays and evaluation patterns at the event. These examples illustrate how judges translate detailed criteria into medal outcomes.
Table of Contents
Scoring Criteria
| Criterion | Maximum Points | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment & Importance | 30 | How clearly the theme is developed and its significance |
| Knowledge & Research | 35 | Depth of philatelic knowledge and historical context |
| Rarity & Material | 30 | Scarcity and relevance of material shown |
| Condition & Presentation | 5 | Physical quality and professional display |
| Total | 100 | Comprehensive exhibit evaluation |
These point bands align with major international exhibition standards and were closely followed by judges at VII BRISPE.
Example 1: Brazilian Classics Exhibit (Large Gold)
This exhibit focused on early Brazilian postal history and included rare Bull’s Eyes issues and imperial series. Judges awarded a Large Gold medal with a final score of 96/100.
Score Breakdown
- Treatment & Importance: 28/30 – The narrative clearly explained Brazil’s postal evolution from first issues through mid-19th century developments. Treatment was logical and comprehensive.
- Knowledge & Research: 34/35 – Extensive documentation accompanied each group of stamps, including historical references, production details, and postal routes. Judges noted original research into plate varieties.
- Rarity & Material: 30/30 – The collection included exceptionally rare material, including intact multiples and certified error varieties. Rare items were highly relevant to the theme.
- Condition & Presentation: 4/5 – Most stamps were in excellent condition. Only minor centering issues on a few less-rare items slightly reduced points.
Why This Scored Highly: Judges highlighted the combination of scarcity and research depth. The narrative was not only organized chronologically, but also explained why certain issues changed printing techniques — adding scholarly value beyond mere display.
Example 2: Global Airmail Thematic (Gold)
A thematic exhibit explored the development of airmail routes across continents. It earned a Gold medal with a score of 91/100.
Score Breakdown
- Treatment & Importance: 27/30 – The thematic approach was compelling, with sections devoted to pioneering flights, major airports, and postal markings. Minor gaps appeared in transitional sections.
- Knowledge & Research: 30/35 – Research was strong overall, though a few captions lacked supporting citations. Judges requested clearer identification of some route classifications.
- Rarity & Material: 30/30 – The exhibit balanced rarity with thematic relevance. Many covers and stamps were scarce in condition and history.
- Condition & Presentation: 4/5 – Layout was visually engaging, but a few pages appeared cluttered, slightly affecting clarity.
Why This Scored Highly: Thematic coherence was the exhibit’s strength. Judges emphasized how the narrative tied airmail development to postal history, even when material scarcity varied across sections.
Example 3: Postal Routes Youth Exhibit (Large Vermeil)
An advanced youth competitor traced evolving postal routes in Latin America. This exhibit earned a Large Vermeil medal with 87/100.
Score Breakdown
- Treatment & Importance: 26/30 – The narrative effectively demonstrated route evolution, though some transitions were abrupt.
- Knowledge & Research: 28/35 – The research was solid, with historical explanations and route maps, but lacked deeper citations and external references.
- Rarity & Material: 27/30 – Pieces were relevant and mostly quality material; however, some had more common issues.
- Condition & Presentation: 6/5 – Presentation was exceptionally clear, with excellent use of captions and supporting visuals.
Why This Scored Highly: Youth exhibits are scored with full rigor, but judges also recognize clear effort and narrative focus. This entry stood out for its creative use of route maps and clear explanations that connected material to the story.
Example 4: Cultural Icons Exhibit (Vermeil)
A cross-cultural thematic exhibit earned a Vermeil medal with 82/100.
Score Breakdown
- Treatment & Importance: 25/30 – The thematic topic was engaging, though at times too broad, reducing focus.
- Knowledge & Research: 28/35 – Research connected stamps to cultural narratives effectively, but judges noted occasional lack of philatelic depth.
- Rarity & Material: 24/30 – Material was interesting but included some widely available issues, lowering the overall rarity score.
- Condition & Presentation: 5/5 – Excellent physical condition and a highly visual layout improved readability.
Why This Scored Moderately: While culturally rich, this exhibit needed a stronger philatelic emphasis and rarer material to achieve a higher classification. Judges appreciated the theme but desired a tighter focus.
How Points Translate to Medals
At BRISPE, judges used the overall score to determine medals:
- 95–100: Large Gold
- 90–94: Gold
- 85–89: Large Vermeil
- 80–84: Vermeil
- 75–79: Silver
- 70–74: Silver-Bronze
- 60–69: Bronze
These medal thresholds guided judges in awarding recognition that balanced material excellence with narrative and presentation.
Real Scoring Insights
Treatment & Importance
Judges look for:
- Clear definition of theme and objectives
- Logical progression of sections
- Explanation of why the subject matters to philately
Exhibits that jump between topics without a clear thread often lose points here.
Knowledge & Research
Judges reward:
- Accurate historical context
- Citations and archival references
- Evidence of original investigation
In our examples, Large Gold exhibits contained deep documentation not only about stamps but also about their production and usage.
Rarity & Material
True rarity is about:
- Scarcity of surviving examples
- Relevance to the exhibit theme
- Certified authentication
Exhibits with strong rarity show evidence of provenance and expert certificates.
Condition & Presentation
Good condition and professional display matter because:
- Physical flaws distract judges
- Poor layout reduces readability
- Consistency in captions improves scoring
Even a rare item in poor condition can drag scores down significantly.
Typical Scoring Pitfalls
- Overcrowded Pages: Judges penalize cluttered layouts because they distract from narrative clarity.
- Weak Research Notes: Simply listing details without analysis does not demonstrate knowledge.
- Irrelevant Material: Items unrelated to the main theme dilute focus and therefore reduce points.
Key Takeaways for Exhibitors
- Build a tight narrative first — material must support the story.
- Document thoroughly — citations and expert opinions strengthen credibility.
- Choose material wisely — rarity matters, but relevance matters more.
- Present professionally — neat, consistent pages improve scores.
Final Perspective
Judging at VII BRISPE 2024 followed rigorous international standards that balanced narrative strength, research excellence, rarity, and presentation. The real examples above demonstrate that high medals result from careful planning, deep knowledge, and thoughtful organization as much as rare stamps.
For aspiring exhibitors, understanding this scoring model offers a roadmap for competitive success. Exhibits that integrate compelling stories with well-documented material and clear presentation have the best chance of impressing judges and earning top recognition at future international philatelic events.
